Mel McCuddin

Mel McCuddin, the prolific and beloved Spokane artist whose work blended vibrant colors, plenty of whimsy and sometimes just a pinch of darkness, died Monday at age 89.

Section:Gallery

Tue., Sept. 27, 2022

Artist Mel McCuddin pauses from work in his Spokane Valley studio, Oct. 22, 2018.

Dan Pelle
Mel McCuddin's "Bubble Gum."
Surrounded by his work, Mel McCuddin sits in his studio in the Spokane Valley. McCuddin's paintings can be seen around town.

Liz Kishimoto
Mel McCuddin's "Hard Run for a Heavy Man," a 66-by-66 oil on canvas painting.
Artist Mel McCuddin with his untitled work displayed in the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, Oct. 29, 2018.

Dan Pelle
Artist Mel McCuddin walks past paintings Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2016 at his home studio in Spokane Valley.

Jesse Tinsley
Artist Mel McCuddin stands in his art studio Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2016, in Spokane Valley. McCuddin art has been called figurative expressionism.

Jesse Tinsley
Paintings by artist Mel McCuddin, destined for an upcoming show, dry Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2016 at his home studio in Spokane Valley. McCuddin's art has been called figurative expressionism.

Jesse Tinsley
Mel McCuddin, a milkman turned artist, works to hang his pictures in the new Spokane Arena in 1995.

Spokesman-Review Photo Archives
Mel McCuddin, a painter from Millwood, poses in February 1995.

Spokesman-Review Photo Archives
Mel McCuddin’s oil painting, “Prairie Queen” hangs in the River Front Square’s Kress Gallery as part of First Night in 2004.

Spokesman-Review Photo Archives
"No Pain, No Gain" is a 47-by-51-inch oil on canvas painting created by local artist Mel McCuddin. It was among 95 pieces up for auction at a 1998 "Works from the Heart Art Show and Auction."

Liz Kishimoto The Spokesman-Review
“The Unruly Republican” by Mel McCuddin, an oil on canvas.

Sr
Mason and Mel McCuddin are shown seated between two pieces of art. In the foreground is "Sequined Dress," an oil painting by Mel while behind them is "Reddy," a relief-carved brick piece by Mason.

Spokesman-Review Photo Archives