My father, Richard Melander passed away in 2011. He was a great dad and a prolific artist. I’m featuring a small sample of his output, a glimpse into who he was and what he did.
“Artwork is its own justification – creating something for the sake of its own existence. My current projects are open and I hope they spread some pleasant feelings.”
– Richard Melander
I was so lucky to have Richard as a father, in so many ways. As a young artist, he was unfailingly supportive and encouraging. There was no right way or wrong way to make art. Everything I did was “Very Interesting!” to him and he taught me to think for myself, to question and to set my own criteria for success.
But as importantly, he set a great example. He was so innovative, talented and he had great work habits. Every Sunday he went to his studio, which was nestled in the middle of the family business, a Styrofoam factory. He’d invite one of his kids to come along and we could also make art, explore or get into general mischief.
Often, I went with him and did my own projects in the wood shop, making little sculptures out of scrap wood and painting them black, think Louise Nevelson or maybe Jean Arp?
Richard’s work was always abstract and he loved to experiment. I believe his first works were on Styrofoam. He used what was around and easily attainable. He also worked with pressure-sensitive film on mirror and when he painted, he used industrial paints, commercial solvents and sometimes paint stripper.
He created ambiguous painterly surfaces, bold graphic forms and sometimes combined the two. Toward the end of his life, he created paintings on old storm windows, stacked up in the basement. He would layer the paint, work on both sides, partially scrape the paint off, back the glass with paper or not and finish the frames with silver, black or white duct tape.
I’ll be sharing a collaboration we did one afternoon, as well as other works as I find the time to add them.
Richard Melander’s Obituary
Richard C. Melander, 76, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, May 14, 2011, surrounded by his loving family at Saratoga Hospital after a long battle with Parkinson’s.
Richard was born in Schenectady, NY on February 24, 1935. His parents were Raymond and Evelyn Melander. He was a wonderful and beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He grew up in Ballston Spa and later in Manning’s Cove on Saratoga Lake, where his parents owned property. He joined the U.S. Army in 1954 and was eventually stationed in Germany. Richard and his wife, Ingrid, built a house on Saratoga Lake on a piece of property given to the couple by Richard’s parents. They raised four children, Ronald of Savannah, GA, Holly of Malta, NY, Nicole of Rockville, MD and Buffalo, NY and Derick of Queens, NY. The couple has two granddaughters, Stephanie Jones of Malta and Heather Jones of Ballston Spa, and they have a delightful great-grandson, Camden Bolton. Richard was predeceased by his parents. In addition to his children and grandchildren, he is survived by two brothers, Jack Melander and Carl Melander (Margaret), five adopted siblings and many nieces and nephews.
Richard was a devoted family man who made his wife and children a priority in his life. His desire to see them flourish was evident to everybody who knew him. As a businessman, he co-owned Tufflite Plastics in Ballston Spa. His commitment to excellence and harmony in the workplace made for a productive 45-year career. He will be sorely missed by all those who knew and loved him deeply. He was very passionate about his art. He loved spending time with his family and earlier in his life he liked bowling with his wife and friends. Dick and Ingrid took many long walks at Saratoga Lake enjoying nature. Dick also enjoyed collecting Indian arrowheads, which he often found in his father’s hilltop garden.
A memorial service will be held at the Malta Ridge United Methodist Church on May 17th, at 6:30 p.m. A reception will follow in the community room at the church. Flowers are welcome. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Malta Ridge Church or the Michael J. Fox Foundation. A private graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family.
