Time Travel In Old Mandeville Results In The Restoration Of Classical Art Forms

March 11, 2012 - PRLog -- MANDEVILLE, LA (MARCH 10th & 11th) - The fifth annual “Jane Austen Literary Festival” was a smashing success with crowds tripling the expectations of the festival organizers.  Valerie Stangl Melançon’s interpretive painting She is Loveliness Itself went on public display this weekend for the first time. The oil painting of a beloved Jane Austen character, Emma, was on show as part of the Jane Austen Literary Festival at the Lake House in Mandeville. The work was loaned to the festival for exhibition by the artist. Melançon remarked that she never imagined that when she painted She is Loveliness Itself word would spread so quickly via social media resulting in an invitation from the Festival. The exhibition was part of the The Northshore Literary Society panel events and the Royal Regency Reception on Sunday.

It is the first time an original work portraying an Austen character has been on display at the Festival. Kerri Blache, co-founder of the local festival, said having Melançon’s painting as one of the attractions would appeal to a wide range of visitors. The exhibition was so successful that the two are now in discussions to further incorporate the artists work in next years festival. Melançon remarked "This was such a lovely invitation. I am definitely looking forward to a rewarding relationship with the organization and supporting their mission to create a wonderful experience for Austen enthusiasts in Louisiana.”

Melançon, known for her cinematic style of classically painted female characters, seems to favor settings that span the last three centuries making her a perfect fit for period events and festivals. Only the time will tell what the future of this collaboration will bring.

Born February 1970, in northern Illinois, Valerie Stangl Melançon was raised a child of two cities, splitting her time between families in Chicago and New Orleans. It was in December 2006 that Valerie first picked up the brush and created her first oil painting. Following a successful career as a mechanical engineer in the aerospace industry, in July 2007 Valerie turned her talents full time to the field of fine art. Valerie approaches each work much the same way as a film director. She researches, designs and revises character, costume and scene until the final composite is consistent with or exceeds her initial vision.