About the Artist Melissa Dawn

Artist

About Melissa

Self-taught American artist Melissa Dawn began painting fairies after discovering fantasy art at a local fair, and gave up a full ride scholarship to law school to dedicate herself to improving her craft and bringing her visions to life. Her portfolio quickly expanded to include angels, bunnies and fairy cats. Melissa's whimisical cat paintings immediately captured the hearts of cat lovers around the world with their vivid colors, adorable expressions, and unique style. Today Melissa resides in Washington state, drawing inspiration from the beautiful scenery around her (and her four spoiled tuxedo cats!) to create paintings designed to brighten the viewer's day.

About Melissa Dawn Art

Melissa Dawn was born in Northern California in 1983. While she always enjoyed beading and crafting, Melissa never imaged that one day she would become an artist. In 2006, after graduating college, she discovered fairy art at a local county fair and fell head over heels in love. To make up for lost time, Melissa dedicated herself to painting 12-14 hours a day (yes, seriously!), while working towards a Master's Degree in Library Science. By the time Melissa was ready to graduate, she had already begun selling her artwork and jewelry, and decided to pursue a career in art instead.

Melissa opened up her art business in 2007 under the name "Spellbound Wings" since she was painting fairies, angels... and one angel cat. To her surprise, the angel cat was one of her best sellers at the first festival Melissa vended at in April 2007. She painted two more fairy cats, including "Purrfect Autumn," which was based on her kitten Strider. Purrfect Autumn became an instant best-seller, and Melissa happily began painting more fairy cats. Slowly they took over, until she was painting winged cats almost exclusively. To reflect this change, in 2010 Melissa and Tim changed the name of her business to "Melissa Dawn Art," though several of their online shops, including her popular Etsy shop, still operate under the alias "Spellbound Wings."

Today, Melissa is an internationally-licensed artist with a flourishing cat-loving fan base all over the world. Melissa Dawn Art has shipped to all 50 states and over 20 countries, proving that cat love is truly universal! Melissa continues to exercise her crafting creativity and has created a wide range of jewelry, gifts and accessories featuring her feline friends. All items are lovingly created in Melissa's studio and are handcrafted with the greatest care. While prints and accessories are popular items, the beautiful best-selling jewelry Melissa has created with her art remains the heart of Melissa Dawn Art.

Melissa and her husband Tim currently reside in the beautiful state of Washington, sharing their home with two adorable tuxedo cats and two new tuxedo kittens. Tim remains Melissa's biggest fan and most faithful supporter, tolerating her obsession with keys, Neroon, and cats, and helping out at festivals. They are avid supporters of animal rescue groups and shelters, and donate Melissa's art and jewelry to help raise money as often as possible. In their (very!) spare time, Melissa and Tim love to watch their favorite show, Babylon 5, read, and spend time with friends and family.

Melissa

A note from Melissa

I wanted add a note about my fairy kitties. I never envisioned myself becoming a cat artist-- I began as a fairy artist, and painted one angel cat on a whim. I was completely unprepared for the reaction I got from customers. So many people said their cat looked just like it and had passed away, and that my art made the perfect momento. Since I love cats, and was touched by the emotion my angel cat seemd to evoke, I painted several more cats with wings, which I discovered were a joy to paint. I was once again blown away by the response-- so many people seemed to have lost a beloved cat, and treasured the chance to have a print or necklace of a similar cat. What could I do but paint more winged kitties?

The more I painted them, the more I fell in love with fairy cats, and the more emails I received from fellow cat lovers who wanted to share their stories with me. It has become an incredible thing-- I get to paint something I love, and touch people's lives, and in return they and their cats touch mine. I feel so privileged to be a part of this circle, and truly treasure my customers, many of whom become friends.

While I am primarily focusing on cats right now, I plan to continue painting fairies (steampunk fairies could be really fun!), and would love to paint angels, dragons, and winged unicorns. Fairy cats will always remain my first love and main subject, since painting them allows me to combine cats & fairies, two of my very favorite things. I'd also love to paint some fairy puppies and some more fairy bunnies too! Whatever I paint, if I make even one person's day better because something about my art touched them, I will be happy. ~Melissa

Just for fun:

Favorite Movies: Lord of the Rings trilogy, Batman Begins, Live Free or Die Hard, Gone With the Wind, Underworld, & Becoming Jane

Favorite TV Shows: Babylon 5 (the best show EVER), Manhunters: US Marshals, Jacked: Auto Theft Task Force, Buffy, Friends, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Dirty Jobs. I also have a guilty secret love for trashy reality tv like Rock of Love, sshhh!

Favorite Music: Breaking Benjamin, System of a Down, Lady Gaga, Evanescence, Kelly Clarkson, Disturbed, Fuel, Thousand Foot Crutch

Favorite Actors: Liam Neeson, Daniel Craig & John Vickery (Just don't ask me to pick between them. Though Neroon, a Minbari warrior on Babylon 5 played brilliantly by John Vickery, trumps all.)

Favorite Quotes: Pretty much anything from Babylon 5 (surprise, surprise). "Death- been there, done that!" "Now get the hell out of our galaxy!" "General, with all due respect, the last time I made 'personal contact' with a Minbari warship I sent it straight to hell." "I'm thinking... pastels." "I've had... an idea." "You talk like a Minbari, Commander."

Favorite Foods: Cupcakes, Italian food, and cheese.

Favorite Books: Too many to count! I love urban fantasy, so authors such as Rachael Vincent, Cassandra Clare, Kelley Armstrong, Karen Marie Moning & Ilona Andrews. Harry Potter is probably my favorite series of all time, and I have over 30 Nora Roberts books.

Favorite Season: Autumn.

Hobbies: You mean there are other things besides painting?? I love to read, cook, and travel around Europe.