Meet the Artist
Creative art has always been a natural desire in my heart. As a young child growing up in Dayton, Ohio, I received lots of positive feedback and accolades for my "raw artistic talent." After high school, I kept up drawing as a favorite pastime. Eventually, I planned to go to Art School to pursue my creative passions. Instead, I found myself working in non-art related jobs to support my growing family (who are my world), and my dream of becoming the the next Picasso was put on hold ; )
It wasn't until years later (after my kids were older and all in school) that an overwhelming desire came over me to paint, even though I had never painted before. The feeling was so intense that the next day, I decided to invest a portion of my savings in art supplies, materials, and books to start my career as a full-time professional, self-taught artist. In which I painted and drew over 60 artworks, including figuratives, florals, landscapes, and abstracts in spiritual, inspirational, or though-provoking scenes. I also created promotional materials, custom paintings, and personalized portraits for small businesses and individual clients in my hometown.
Since 2006, I've been showing and selling my original art online. And the response has really been amazing! I feel honored and blessed to know that my artwork makes people happy. In 2012, my Etsy shop was opened to share my passion for painting in hopes of inspiring others through positive images of people of color. The continued support I have received from the the community is much appreciated.
In 2014, I had the pleasure of running my own brick and mortar gallery, which featured my creations alongside a few fellow artists. I'm glad I was able to feature the gallery and our handmade collection in local events, shows, news media, and other public spaces. It was a great learning experience for me, plus I met a lot of wonderful people in the process. To date, my works are hung in homes, businesses, and cultural institutions throughout the US, with some pieces abroad.
For the last few years, I've been on break from my Etsy shop and from painting. During that time, I graduated with a BA in creative writing with courses in graphic design. Now, I'm happy to say that I've re-opened my art shop and got back into painting full-time from my home studio while working on my first book. In the future, I'd love to open a new studio gallery downtown to serve my local community through meaningful works of art.
Follow my blog for the latest updates on my creative journey. Take a stroll through the gallery to see my most recent works. Check out my artwork in the shop to purchase a piece for yourself. Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or custom art requests, I'll be happy to assist you.
Thanks for reading!
Have a Beautiful day,
xo Melody
"Chase down your passion like it's the last bus of the night." -Terri Guillemets
It wasn't until years later (after my kids were older and all in school) that an overwhelming desire came over me to paint, even though I had never painted before. The feeling was so intense that the next day, I decided to invest a portion of my savings in art supplies, materials, and books to start my career as a full-time professional, self-taught artist. In which I painted and drew over 60 artworks, including figuratives, florals, landscapes, and abstracts in spiritual, inspirational, or though-provoking scenes. I also created promotional materials, custom paintings, and personalized portraits for small businesses and individual clients in my hometown.
Since 2006, I've been showing and selling my original art online. And the response has really been amazing! I feel honored and blessed to know that my artwork makes people happy. In 2012, my Etsy shop was opened to share my passion for painting in hopes of inspiring others through positive images of people of color. The continued support I have received from the the community is much appreciated.
In 2014, I had the pleasure of running my own brick and mortar gallery, which featured my creations alongside a few fellow artists. I'm glad I was able to feature the gallery and our handmade collection in local events, shows, news media, and other public spaces. It was a great learning experience for me, plus I met a lot of wonderful people in the process. To date, my works are hung in homes, businesses, and cultural institutions throughout the US, with some pieces abroad.
For the last few years, I've been on break from my Etsy shop and from painting. During that time, I graduated with a BA in creative writing with courses in graphic design. Now, I'm happy to say that I've re-opened my art shop and got back into painting full-time from my home studio while working on my first book. In the future, I'd love to open a new studio gallery downtown to serve my local community through meaningful works of art.
Follow my blog for the latest updates on my creative journey. Take a stroll through the gallery to see my most recent works. Check out my artwork in the shop to purchase a piece for yourself. Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or custom art requests, I'll be happy to assist you.
Thanks for reading!
Have a Beautiful day,
xo Melody
"Chase down your passion like it's the last bus of the night." -Terri Guillemets