About the Artist Melissa Dawn

Artist

"Why do I paint fairies? It's simple. I believe in magic, in elegance-- in love.
For me, faery cats are the perfect embodiment of all three. I hope my art can transport you to an enchanted world
where anything is possible, love is always unconditional, and where each day dawns brighter than the one before.
This world is out there. All we have to do is believe."

~ Melissa Dawn

Melissa

Unlike most artists, unfortunately Melissa didn't grow up with a paintbrush in her hand. It wasn't until 2006, after graduating college, that she discovered fantasy art at a county fair and fell head-over-heels in love. Melissa left the fair in awe (with her new Amy Brown & Nene Thomas fairy prints!), determined to one day make her own mark on the fantasy art world.

Melissa began painting every moment she could, often 12 or 14 hours a day. When people began to request prints of her work, together Melissa and her husband Tim created Spellbound Wings. After vending at their first festival in April 2007, the first version of SpellboundWings.com went live in May 2007. Melissa began to expand by offering her art on a variety of products, and opened up her Etsy shop in the fall of 2008.

Today, Melissa is a full-time professional artist with four online shops, several stores that carry her work, and many more exciting opportunities on the horizon. In 2010 Melissa and Tim changed the company name from Spellbound Wings to Melissa Dawn Art, and Melissa's official webpage became www.MelissaDawnArt.com. 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 Tim currently reside in Northern California with their four fur babies; Savannah and Strider, their snuggly tuxedo cats, and Augustus and Tinkerbell, their little white rabbits (one of whom starred in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Killer white rabbit!). Tim remains Melissa's biggest fan and most faithful supporter, tolerating her obsession with keys and the jewelry supplies that seem to cover every surface of their room. In their spare time (which is practically non-existent these days!), Melissa & Tim love to watch Ghost Hunters, read, and spend time with their family.

*** A note about Melissa's faery cats ***

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. 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.

What does that mean for me as a fairy artist? I definitely plan to continue painting fairies (steampunk fairies could be really fun!), and would love to paint more angels, and dragons, and even some 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

kitties

Wedding picture thanks to Jeff Hinds Photography.