Melinda's Bio

Melinda fell in love with the world of art at an early age. She vividly remembers as a four-year-old how beautiful it was when, while sponge painting, the red and yellow when mixed together made orange. In grammar school Melinda's teachers knew she was destine to become a great artist. They always paid special attention to her and awarded her certificates of achievement at year's end. One of Melinda's grade school teachers saved one of her paintings and still shows it to each new group of kids every year.

As a sophomore in High School, Melinda's art teacher introduced her to watercolors. She became so comfortable with this medium that by senior year she took first place in the All High School Art Show, which included four other schools. Although Melinda took lots of art in school, the teachers never taught her how to paint. In fact, she'd never seen anyone paint in the tight dry brush style that she uses now until years later.

When Melinda started to take her art seriously, she began donating original paintings to annual fundraisers for the hospital and the local Rotary club. She remembers being shocked when one of the paintings was purchased for $4,400. It was around this time that Melinda was invited to participate in "Studies in Watercolor", a four artist show at the local Museum and Art Gallery . It was the first show of it's kind at this museum (devoted only to watercolor) and she was honored to be the only local artist asked to participate. Not long after this, she began to submit her work to various companies in the art industry.

How do I begin?

Once I have a backdrop, such as a period home or garden, I will set up the scene with live models and then take photographs. I use these photographs as reference for my paintings. I do all the photography as well as design and sew many of the clothes that appear in my paintings. Each painting averages 150 - 200 hours to complete. The prep work, photo shoots, finding models and backgrounds as well as creating or finding the clothing for each painting takes an additional week or better.

How do I find my models for my paintings?

Some are friends or friends of friends. There have been times (especially when I was new to my area) that I had to literally pluck folks right out of the mall. When I needed a handsome man and his son for "In His Footsteps", I ended up finding them at the mall. You can imagine what people are thinking when I first approach them!

Where do I get my inspiration?

I believe my ability is a God given gift. He continues to guide what I do every day. I feel very, very blessed.

Melinda Byers