melissastrawser.art.mystery monthly

Melissa Strawser, 4th Generation Woman Artist, Intaglio Printmaking Artist, Strawser Studio

Mystery Prints began in 2019 for Memento Mori 
they grew with my (grandfather)ing loyal members
like this colorful tree 
 growth was for anticipation

hand-pulling narrative prints
 each one made for a community that was lost
they arrived as little surprises each month
 with mysterious titles creating surprising big pictures

That connection for community was inspired for and by my 'folk art' family
Mystery Prints will continue for discovery seekers.
A diverse expert curation of  'one of kind art' 
I love making artist proofs and have done so since the age of 19
There is genuine excitement in finding something unexpected 
in the mail
on the press
This experience truly seams on imperfect
and when you aspire to be someone who prioritizes beauty with creativity
you're either a sophisticated collector OR 
your curiosity (nine times out of ten) wants to begin your art journey
it's about mindfulness and quieting the noise
art took me there while I watched my mom paint
being my safe place, silencing the noise

Mystery Prints are collections from my unique artistic storytelling
they reflect an imperfect artist with an imperfect print drawer
building your community 
resonating like sun smiles
peace amongst noise
I invite you to join me to follow the new Monthly Mystery in 2026
 Look Below, then Sign Up again
Learn More about what's in store for Mystery Monthly & Mystery Print Subscription

Melissa Strawser worked in Tavira Print Workshop for 6 years in Portugal mastering experimental etching 
with Bartolomeu cid dos Santos; revisiting in 2025 with honorable invite for 40th anniversary at Casa das Artes
 You can also find her original drawing of a FROG, 
a signature print,  on the mud floor in a small gallery 
in the Alentejo medieval village of Monsaraz near Evora, 
once awarded artist in residence in 2010

Welcome.  I'm Melissa,  4th generation artist, raised in a family setting with Folk artists having deep roots to studio art practice and our Pennsylvania Dutch German heritage and traditions.  I then trained with experimental printmaking artists as a Printmaker, after seeking out Robert Blackburn who I learned alot from at the time.  I then attended Slade School of Art, University College London,  with a 1st  Masters of Art in Printmaking (1993-95) under Bartolomeu cid dos Santos and Sir Stanley Jones,  a key figure in the revival of British post-war printmaking, when I was curious, they obliged to help me take my work on to surfaces for experimentation: I printed on canvas, wood, plastic and metal, I love metal and metal sculpture more, but lean back to canvas right now.  My studio art practice has been my life, to make things, not necessary how it's seen, but how I see it with an eye for color.  The most under-appreciated artists, like my mom, were the most generous in 'Henri' art spirit.  Together, we hold 70 yrs professional experience in creative process.  She showed me what was possible for a woman and then made it appear easy, I continue the channel.   My art is evolving, like hers: with natural, raw, no boundaries and it's about our Everyday.  It's exciting to see the way I do; I'm even more fortunate that I can share with you.   

My work now resides in public & private collections abroad and throughout the USA.  Introductions were made for me to many great artists, but my mom made the intro to Bertoia 30 yrs ago and our wings took flight.  Artist relationships are the meat and potatoes, they feed the hungry and encourage the journey.   Slade was a place where I was not allowed to despair, London did not label my work and my folk traditions, well, that mattered a whole lot abroad.   All of this was pivotal, contextual, powerful pairings both personal and emotional.  I'm indebted to the power of art and learned to immensely appreciate, the under-appreciated, bc I've become one of them, with a torch always in hand.   My work is folk-fine art using a strong traditional technique known as intaglio printmaking.  I've always pulled an artist proof, I've placed my working hands in metal, welding and ink and never looked back.  I migrate between two amazing studios; one was my Mom's, the other Bertoia.  I adore them both.   I store process and idea then let that hide in the place where the lost things go.  I have one Rembrandt Pelican Press, one Legacy Miniature Halfwood Press; and I aspire to bring a 1850 French Ledeuil Workshop Press into my toolbox.  Mystery Prints as conceptual will captivate and begin your art journey, when you walk over that bridge, you'll find a place that leads you to where lost things go.  I let things resurface,  heal, find the beauty that mends and make these little art pieces, at each start of a new year, then all year long.  Mindfulness found in art will always silence noise.   I've always been curious about print narration and publishing forever and a day, so my first book finally published in 2025 and it's called Everyday Art, Folk Art.  This is just a small lens into who I am.  As 4th generation women artist, I aim to move generations forward not tear them down.  I'm grateful for your appreciation of my work.  I'm easy to find and you can visit one studio by appointment, just reach out to me.  Please promise to keep looking for a place where the lost things go and find the mystery.  
Thanks for your visit to learn more, speak soon...         

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'behind the scenes' I'm 4th generation Pennsylvania artist,  
forming connections with you through 'sight unseen' print narratives
 it's part of my generational legacy to tell stories, to make things
 to share art, for community, and for generations to come


Mystery Print Subscription
Archival Small Editions
2020 Tree of Life 
2021 Sustainability 
2022 Mirage to Oasis
2023 Art of Flight
2024 Star of the Sea
2025 Biodiversity
2026 Entomology
©Melissa Strawser, All Rights Reserved, 2019

Melissa Strawser Art, Melissa Strawser, Intaglio Printmaking Artist, Sculptress, Bertoia Studio, 4th Generation Woman Artist, Intaglio Printmaking Artist
Copyright © 2026 Melissa Strawser Art  - All Rights Reserved.   
Art made with a lot of ♥ 
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