The Artist
Melissa Finkenbiner’s mission statement and bio
Art connecting with the earth
The Artist
Melissa Finkenbiner is an artist and jewelry designer whose work is deeply rooted in nature and shaped by her life around the world. She creates fine art and hand-fabricated jewelry that honor the earth and reflect a dedication to sustainable materials and a mindful art practice. Originally from the United States, she has lived in Myanmar, Armenia, Zimbabwe, Japan, and now Argentina. Each place leaving a lasting influence of landscape, texture, and light. Her work explores the intersection of environment and emotion, inviting a personal connection to place, memory, and the enduring beauty of the natural world.
Mission
Create Sustainably
As a cross-disciplinary artist working in fine art and silversmithing, Melissa is committed to using recycled and sustainable materials. Her practice continually evolves to improve materials, processes, and packaging, guided by a mission to create sustainably and honor the earth through every stage of her work.
Creation Process
Finkenbiner creates fine art using sustainable materials, from reclaimed ceramic roof tiles to bamboo and recycled papers, layering inks and pigments to reflect memory and place.
Her jewelry, hand-fabricated from upcycled silver and reclaimed metals and stones, is shaped and polished with intention, embodying the quiet strength and natural beauty that inspire her work.
Bio: Accomplishments
Finkenbiner has exhibited in more than 20 exhibitions, including solo show “Elements of Nature Between Skyscrapers” in 2023 with Art For Thought in Ginza, Tokyo. In 2018 the U.S. State Department’s Art in Embassies invested in three of her works for the permanent collection of the U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe. She has over 200 pieces in private collections in more than 10 countries.
Bio: Education and Background
As a child, Finkenbiner was always making art and only wanted to be an artist. In 2008 she received a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education and in 2022 she completed an MBA. In Japan she studied Sumi-e (Japanese ink painting) under Yamada Suiran and traditional Japanese metalsmithing at Aoyama Metalsmithing School. She creates, exhibits, and sell original work and teaches a couple of her own workshops each year.
Bio: The Journey
In the U.S. I painted small commissions and large oil paintings. I was a member of the Worthington Area Art League and I exhibited with High Road Gallery & Studios. Every couple of years we return to the U.S. to visit family and I etch one window from my late grandfather’s barn with a scene connecting to my roots in rural Ohio, America.
In MYANMAR I worked on large symbolic oil paintings and intimate little ink drawings capturing local life in the rapidly changing country. During our two years, I had two solo exhibitions with Nawaday Tharlar Gallery and Pansodan Gallery. Alongside a team of international women, I was a design consultant at Hla Day, a fair-trade market concept that grew from three local groups to over 30 in two years.
In ARMENIA I created my first small installations from upcycled material, including reclaimed glass. Dalan Art Gallery hosted my biggest solo show in Armenia. The most dynamic group exhibitions were with HAYP Pop Up Gallery. During this time, I launched my first jewelry line, featuring miniature paintings set under glass cabochons made from recycled fibers. During my last two weeks in Armenia, I learned the basics of transforming reclaimed metal into jewelry.
In ZIMBABWE, I expanded my reclaimed metal jewelry and created 400+ pieces. I continued using upcycled materials like discarded glass bottles, and painted over 70 portraits of rural Zimbabwean women on Zimbabwean handmade paper. Three of these portraits are in the permanent collection of Art in Embassies’ U.S. Embassy Harare. I exhibited in solo and group shows including the National Gallery of Zimbabwe’s Balance 4 Better.
In JAPAN, I remain passionate about sustainable and reclaimed materials. My subjects are influenced by Japanese gardens and Shinto structures in both the rural and urban landscape. My first exhibition in Japan was a solo exhibition partnering with creative cuisine from Nippon Viajero at もしも / Moshimo Cafe + Event Space in Hayama. Installation art is special because I like making an experience. I am designing these so they can be kept as one large art piece or they can be dismantled and sold as individual small art pieces for the home. “Elements of Nature Between Skyscrapers” was the first show to full fill this vison. Check out my most recent and upcoming exhibitions and events.