Happy 2017 everyone! This year is really BIG for me...in mid September of last year, among a lot of change in my personal life, I realized something - that I wanted to take the plunge and move to working full-time for myself. I had no real plan (I'd figure that out), but what I did have was an overwhelming amount of encouragement from my fellow artists and a support system in my family ('framily', I'm looking at you too - you know friends who are family :) ) that never wave

This day is one of my favorite at the beginning of every single year - the day I get to share ALL of the commissions that consume the majority my time from late September through December, sometimes right up until the day before Christmas Eve. These always have great stories behind them and it is so difficult to keep them a secret for so long, but now I get to share them all!! There are beloved pets that stole their owners hearts, precious companions that have left us, dear

This year has seen many different wildlife scratchboard pieces come across my desk - large green iguanas, stately lions, adorable little otters, and birds of all kinds, to name just a few. I've been working really hard in the off season (post September festivals) to create more and more wildlife art as I look into 2017 with a full plate of art festivals and fairs. The year 2016 brought great new adventures in my career as an artist (representation at a New York City gallery

With the launch of Melissa Helene Fine Arts and Photography at the beginning of 2015, I will not only be focusing on my 'fine arts' and 'photography', but also developing a third business initiative - Wildlife, Wild Places, & Conservation Awareness through artwork and photography! My work is greatly inspired and motivated by the natural places and creatures of this earth. I put all of myself into each piece that I create and I want to use my work for a greater cause. There

With the turning of the new year, I am thrilled to be working on building a business that combines so many things that I am passionate about (art, scratchboard, wildlife, nature, photography, social justice, personal impact) into one enterprise that will one day be the career of a lifetime! I've spent many weeks planning for the start of this new year; PLANNING, PLANNING, PLANNING - developing schedules, task lists, goal maps, a business plan, marketing and social media strat

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you!! Ring in the New Year in a big way and make 2015 all it can be! With the coming of the new year, there a lot of changes that are happening with my artwork, photography, and business! Starting with a new name - Melissa Helene Fine Arts and Photography! I'm super excited to spend 2015 building my business, honing my artistic and photographic skills, combining my love of nature and passion for artwork to educate myself + others and build awareness