All of my creations begin with an original sketch after many hours of research. As a painter of realism,
I strive to build compositions that grab a viewer‘s attention and draw them closer to contemplate the
subject. Many layers of semi-transparent paint, giving the illusion of deep detail, and the engaging
nature of the subject conspire to pull the viewer into the painting, creating an emotional connection.
My greatest passion is wildlife. As an animal activist, I strive to capture the true spirit and essential nature of the animal. My compositions are direct. The subject engages the viewer and encourages them to see not only the subjects beauty, but also their intelligence. This personal encounter has the ability to awaken an awareness and an appreciation.
My other passion is trees. Trees have the ability to replenish the spirit, just as changes of season bloom new growth on the ancient body of a tree. This paradox, what’s old is new, is expressed in my paintings by juxtaposing gnarled greyscale branches with vibrant blossoms.
Embrace nature
Take a moment
Stop to admire
Create the time
Open your spirit
Be filled
Melissa was born in Saginaw, MI in 1969. She has lived and worked in Colorado, Florida, Nebraska, Wyoming and Texas. During her morphing career life which included Computer Science, Accounting and Entrepreneurial ventures, Melissa was continually drawn to the inspiring beauty of trees and animals. She communed with that calling by immersing herself into the nature that surrounded her. After retiring, Melissa ventured to Central America to explore the tropical beauty of Costa Rica and Panama for three years. She is now settled in Chattanooga TN. Melissa's husband, Mark is an accomplished artist in his own right. Currently the two artists travel together throughout the United States exhibiting their work.
Aug 27-28, 2025: Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Armonk, New York
Aug 19-21, 2025: Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jul 23-24, 2025: Port Clinton Art Festival, Highland Park, Illinois
Jun 26-27, 2025: Geneva Arts Fair 2025, Geneva, Illinois
Jun 17-19, 2025: Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Jun 12-13, 2025: Southport Art Fest, Chicago, Illinois
Jun 7-8, 2025: Frederick Festival of the Arts, Frederick, MD
Feb 22-23, 2025: Longboat Key Festival of the Arts, Longboat Key, FL
Feb 1-2, 2025: Uptown Naples Fine Art Festival, Naples, FL
Jan 25-26, 2025: St. Armands Circle Art Festival, Sarasota, FL
Aug 4-6, 2023: Crested Butte Arts Festival, Crested Butte, CO
Jul 28-30, 2023: BAM Arts Fair, Bellevue, WA
Jun 9-11, 2023: Columbus Arts Festival, Columbus, OH
Jun 2-4, 2023: Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, Philadelphia, PA
May 19-21, 2023: Art on the Square, Belleville, IL
May 6-7, 2023: Cottonwood Art Festival Spring, Richardson, TX
Apr 21-23, 2023: 4 Bridges Arts Festival, Chattanooga, TN
Mar 24-26, 2023: Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park, Houston, TX
Mar 2-5, 2023: La Quinta Art Celebration, La Quinta, CA
Nov 10-13, 2022: La Quinta Art Celebration Encore, La Quinta, CA
Oct 21-23, 2022: Art Worth, Fort Worth, Texas
Aug 12-14, 2022: Sun Valley Arts & Crafts Festival, Ketchum, ID
Aug 5-7, 2022: Park City Kimball Arts Festival, Park City, UT
Jul 29-31, 2022: Bellevue Arts Museum Arts Fair, Bellevue, WA
Jun 3-5, 2022: Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, Philadelphia, PA
May 20-22, 2022: Tephra Fine Arts Festival, Reston, VA
Apr 22-24, 2022: Art in the Square, Southlake, TX
Mar 25-27, 2022: Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park, Houston, TX
Mar 3-6, 2022: La Quinta Art Celebration, La Quinta, CA
Nov 11-14, 2021: La Quinta Art Celebration Encore, La Quinta, CA
Nov 5-7, 2021: Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival, Carefree, AZ
Oct 1-3, 2021: St. James Court Art Show (St James Court Section), Louisville, KY
Sep 25-26, 2021: Art Fair on the Square, Madison, WI
Sep 18-19, 2021: Alexandria Old Town Art Festival, Alexandria, VA
Aug 28-29, 2021: Port Clinton Art Festival, Highland Park, Illinois
Jul 31-Aug 1, 2021: Boulder Fine Art Street Festival at Twenty Ninth Street, Boulder, CO
Jul 24-25, 2021: Keystone River Run Village Art Festival, Keystone, CO
Jul 17-18, 2021: Downtown Aspen Art Festival, Aspen, CO
Jun 19-20, 2021: Burr Ridge Art Fair, Burr Ridge, IL
Apr 17-18, 2021: 4 Bridges Arts Festival, Chattanooga, TN
Apr 10-11, 2021: Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival, The Woodlands, TX
Feb 20-21, 2021: Coconut Point Art Fair, Estero, FL
Jan 23-24, 2021: The Naples Uptown Art Festival, Naples, FL
Sep 12-13, 2020: Alexandria Old Town Art Festival, Alexandria, VA
Jan 25-26, 2020: St. Armands Circle Art Festival, Sarasota, FL
Jan 18-19, 2020: Downtown Delray Beach Festival of the Arts, Delray Beach, FL
Oct 24-26, 2019: Artclectic: University School of Nashville Art Show, Nashville, TN
Oct 12-13, 2019: Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association: Fall Arts in the Park, Blue Ridge, GA
Oct 4-6, 2019: St. James Court Art Show (St. James Court section), Louisville, KY
Sept 21-22, 2019: Alexandria King Street Art Festival, Alexandria, VA
Aug 31-Sept 2, 2019: Art in the Park, Marietta GA
Jun 8-9, 2019: Nashville National Fine Arts Festival (Howard Alan Events), Franklin, TN
May 25-26, 2019: Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association: Spring Arts in the Park, Blue Ridge, GA
Apr 26-28, 2019: Magic City Art Connection, Birmingham, AL
Apr 14-14, 2019: Atlanta Dogwood Festival, Atlanta, GA
Feb 23-24, 2019: St. Petersburg Fine Art Festival, St. Petersburg, FL
Oct 13-14, 2018: Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association: Fall Arts in the Park, Blue Ridge, GA
Sept 15-16, 2018: Creative Arts Guild Festival: Outdoor Artist Market, Dalton, GA
May 4-6, 2018: Tennessee Craft Fair, Nashville, TN
Apr 20-22, 2018: 4 Bridges Arts Festival, Chattanooga, TN
