Featured artist’s exhibit has agricultural theme

Woodbury Public Library

WOODBURY — Painter Melody Asbury is the featured artist at the Woodbury Public Library during the month of October.

Growing up with an artistic mother, art was an important part of Melody’s life. She started studying painting at the Ridgewood Art Institute while still in her teens. A fascination with people and their character prompted her to specialize in portraits. Her focus has since expanded to include traveling out west to research and execute a series on American Indians, and several years as a courtroom sketch artist.

Of late, her art has developed an agricultural theme, prompted by her and her son’s involvement with agricultural education at the Ellis Clark Regional AgriScience and Technology program in Woodbury. The opportunity to study the animals up close, in fields and pens has been invaluable toward understanding anatomy and characteristics. She has now expanded her works to birds of prey and other wildlife. This also led to her being accepted as a signature member of the prestigious international Society of Animal Artists.

Her paintings have won numerous awards through the years and are included in private collections throughout the United States and abroad.

Currently she paints from a studio in her home. She also gives workshops, demos, and teaches painting classes at her studio, and various other locations.

Asbury’s paintings will be on display at the Woodbury Public Library from Oct. 1 to 30 during regular open hours. A reception for the artist will be held on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 2 to 4 p.m. and is open to all.

Woodbury Public Library / Contributed photo “Cows” by Melody Asbury.