Connecticut native Melissa Barbieri had long been drawn to the ocean, a fascination reflected in her art. Over the course of two decades, her works tended to focus on elements of the sea.
Trips to the American Southwest, primarily to Arizona, opened up a new window for her and dramatically changed the type of pieces she created. She was captivated by the spirituality of the high desert.
She kept journals and sketches from her sojourns. In her studio back home, she began transcribing her notes using dip pen and India ink, which led to a whole new style and series of artworks.