Melissa Bottiglio

Melissa Bottiglio, 2026
Acrylic on Canvas
10 x 10 x 1.5 in

Signed on Back

Model: Melissa Bottiglio

This work is part of The Tracy Piper's "SEEN Volume 5" the fifth iteration of a collaborative art project of 50 eye paintings that were made during the Spring of 2025. For this series, the artist organized an open call for her collectors, fans, and fellow artists to be featured as one of her models. Each participant answered the same question: What does it mean to feel seen? Each painting and response is featured in the artist’s sixth book aptly titled "SEEN Volume 5".

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FEEL SEEN?

"What does it mean to be seen… I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently, as it relates to my own work as a clinical social work and artist. I didn’t always feel confident in using my voice, but when I have and it was heard, validated, and respected, that is when I feel seen.
Why am I a healer? Why do I create? Why do I use bold, fluorescent, metallic paints? It all has to do with being seen. Having experienced pain it feels important to help others through theirs. Creating is a way to use my voice. When I support, create, and tune out all the criticism, I can be authentic and feel confident in sharing that with the world.

That Little Girl Is Proud of You

That little girl, the one who tried to make herself as small and accommodating as possible, is proud of you.
She sees your growth in every bold color choice.

That little girl, the one told she was too sensitive, too emotional, is proud of you.
She sees your rebellion in every fluorescent stoke.

That little girl, the one prone to viewing the world through the grey shades of “depression goggles,” is proud of you.
She sees your fight in every shimmery gold painting.

That little girl, the one with the lisp and learning disability, is proud of you.
She sees your strength in every new challenge faced.

That little girl, the one overly critical of herself, is proud of you.
She sees your willingness to fail in order to learn.

That little girl, the one who didn’t always make the best choices, is proud of you.
She sees your intention of being present for each experience." — Melissa Bottiglio

HANGING & CARE

Artwork is ready to hang on the wall; hanging wire is secured on the back (nail and hook needed). Dust raw canvas with a clean, soft brush and HEPA-filtered vacuum to clean. Using a new, clean brush prevents transfer of grime from previous dustings.