Melanie was born and raised in Southern Ontario. Her creativity and love for the outdoors was nurtured from a young age. Melanie’s grandmother was a prolific muralist, painting scenes on the doors, walls and entire rooms of her home. Annual camping trips to Algonquin Provincial Park cultivated MacVoy’s appreciation for the Canadian landscape and intrigue with artist Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven.

While exploring the Coast Mountains and rainforests on Vancouver Island, Melanie fell in love with the outdoors lifestyle that BC has to offer. Her connection to the cedar tree was fostered as a conservationist while trail building in pristine wilderness areas threatened by logging.

Seduced by “legendary” powder skiing, Melanie joined the small mountain community of Fernie, BC in 2000. Like most travellers, she “came for the winter but stayed for the summer” with the additional discovery of exceptional mountain biking trails and fly fishing rivers.

Melanie worked for over 10 years at Island Lake Lodge, a backcountry skiing and hiking destination near Fernie. The resort, nestled within a pocket of Interior Cedar Hemlock old growth, provided Melanie with the opportunity to study her subjects intimately throughout the seasons.

Driving along ridgetops and through alpine bowls as a Snowcat Operator awarded Melanie with inspiration from “the best office views imaginable.” Island Lake Lodge commissioned several paintings by the artist to adorn the walls of their luxurious lodges while also expanding the international market for her work.

Moving forward, Melanie is keen on expanding her portfolio by immersing herself in more artist residencies and learning from other professional artists. Recently adopting the practice of outdoor painting has inspired much of her new work and a period of artistic growth.

Artist's Statement
I thoroughly enjoy letting lost in the process of mixing colours and applying layers of paint while exploring the potential of my medium and subject. I work both intuitively and analytically, each side of my brain battling it out until the puzzle is solved.

I’m drawn to landscape because I’ve always felt alive and at peace when outdoors. I had an epiphany when I discovered that I could combine my active mountain lifestyle with studying “en plein air.” Each adventure is challenging and memorable while building creative momentum. I can’t wait to set up my easel to see what’s possible!

Lessons learned from those intense painting sessions have informed my studio practice with a wealth reference material and fresh technique. I’m approaching my familiar subjects of old growth cedar trees and rocky mountain landscapes with new ways of seeing.

By continuing along this path of engaging with authenticity and emotion, I aim to create a unique visual language that is personal yet accessible. I aspire to connect my audience with landscape in hopes of raising awareness and inspiring stewardship of our fragile ecosystems.