Dwayne Butcher photoblogs a studio visit with painter Melissa Dunn.

Dunn says of her work: "My painting process combines both intuition and rational ordered structure. But no matter which of these modes I use to make a mark, my goal is to reflect human nature and find a universal visual story out of my own life experience. Ultimately, the greatest pleasure I derive from painting is when I relinquish my personal visual associations to the viewer. I work with the intention that someone other than myself will be inspired to discover their own emotional landscape and their own relationship to the world. The solitude of painting is rewarded with this potential connection."