Beautifully-designed, Custom, Hand-painted Art

Being an artist was one of my childhood dreams. To draw, design and to glorify Christ is now my passion. I am the artist, Melissa Jackson, and while I specialize in lettering & matching nursery/child bedding, I can custom design almost anything you can dream up on canvas, wood, glass, fondant, or wall! Art is great for any room of your home or as a unique gift. I have also enjoyed painting many murals. God has blessed me and I would love to pass that on to you!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Happy 20th Anniversary to ACSI!!!!!!

I have attached a picture of a 20ft (yes, 20 feet long!!) x 5ft banner that I have made for the above-mentioned celebration. The pictures aren't that great, but it is difficult to get good pictures of a banner that spans my entire living and dining room floors! This is my aunt's collection agency and I worked there for about 3 and a half years previously. They have broken several records in the last few months and have been very gracious in allowing me to do all their signs! I have anjoyed it and this one was fun to make and, when complete, will feature their logo in the center which is a globe. Check out their website at http://www.automatedcollections.com/

Thursday, May 22, 2008

The Mazz Cave

Here is a 3 canvas piece that I am working on for a friend's game room. The canvases are 12in x 24in and have been painted black and the lettering is in off-white. I still need to put a second coat on the letters to clean them up, as well as, complete the aging process for the weathered look the customer wants. Finally, I will put the varnish on to protect the pieces for life.

A Big Break!

I have gotten the go-ahead to hang some samples of my artwork in the lobby of a children's indoor playplace in Bellevue called The Monkeys Treehouse. Also, I have spoken with the owner at The Poshtachio Patch in Smyrna and may get to offer some samples in there as well. Check out their websites at http://www.themonkeystreehouse.com/ and http://www.poshpatch.com/. They both offer some great items/services for children.

I am posting some pictures of the samples I am working on-keep in mind, they are not complete, but I was so excited, I had to post something. The one with the "grass" around the edge will feature a monkey hooking on to the "j" and customers can choose the border/animal combination. The yellow, blue, and white picture is shown with no name, for now, to demonstrate the technique to wash out the middle where the name will be added. This sets off the name and really makes it "pop". The others will have some adornments added such as some stitching, glitter, reflections, stars, etc... to make them unique. These samples are shown on 16 x 20 inch canvases for the full names and on 12 x 12 inch canvases for the single and triple initials.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Check out Dos Amigas

A good friend of mine has just launched a Spanish language-development business, Dos Amigas, which features some of my artwork. Jennifer Manivong and her friend thought of the logo idea and asked if I would assist with the design and drawing of their idea. Check out their website at http://www.dosamigasteach.com/ . They offer many services for all ages and needs. Here is their logo.

General Info

All of the pieces of art and the respective pictures on this blog were created by Melissa Jackson.

All information is owned by the artist and requires permission for use.

All art is created on high quality gallery-style canvas (edges wrapped) acrylic paint and protected with a glossy varnish. Other mediums are available such as glass, wood, fondant painting, etc, Lettering is both hand-designed and hand-painted by the artist and stencils are never used. Your piece will come wrapped and with a coordinating ribbon long enough to attach to the back as a hanging option; otherwise the piece can be immediately hung simply with a nail.

Payment is required at time of order and payments are only accepted via PayPal unless you are local. A detailed invoice will be emailed to you with a link to PayPal where you can pay using checking account information as well as a debit or credit card. You DO NOT have to be a member of PayPal to utilize this free service. Shipping is additional and will be based on shipping method and size of item and will be determined up front. The nominal shipping charge will include insurance in case it is lost in the mail.

Sorry no refunds because art is custom made and designed for you. However, I will work with you on design and show pictures as your piece is created to make sure you are COMPLETELY SATISFIED!

Painting Lessons Available!

I am now offering painting/art lessons for individuals, groups, children, young adults, and adults. Art is not focused on very much in the schools/community in relation to other activities yet it can offer a stress-relieving and fun outlet for children and adults alike. It is a teachable skill and is helpful in developing the creative side of your brain.

SINGLE SESSION ADULT/TEENAGER(1.5 hrs)/PAINTING OF YOUR CHOICE ON A CANVAS UP TO 16X20 (landscape, still life, abstract, lettering) $60*

5 SESSIONS ADULT/TEENAGER(1.5 hrs)-SERIES OF PAINTINGS TO INCLUDE LANDSCAPE, STILL LIFE, ABSTRACT, LETTERING, WATERCOLOR TECHNIQUES ALL ON CANVASES UP TO 16X20 $250*($50 discount from single sessions)

SINGLE SESSION CHILD (2-12) (1 hr)/PAINTING OF THE PARENT'S CHOICE, BUT I WOULD SUGGEST STILL LIFE, ABSTRACT, OR WATER COLOR $50*

5 SESSIONS CHILD (2-12) (1.25 hrs)-SERIES OF PAINTINGS TO INCLUDE LANDSCAPE, STILL LIFE, ABSTRACT, LETTERING, WATERCOLOR TECHNIQUES ALL ON CANVASES UP TO 16X20 $200* ($50 discount from single sessions)

GROUP PRICING FOR CHILDREN OR ADULTS WILL DEPEND ON SINGLE/MULTIPLE SESSIONS AND HOW MANY ARE IN THE GROUP, BUT DISCOUNTS WILL BE OFFERED

MURAL DESIGN/ASSISTANCE/LESSONS ARE AVAILABLE AS WELL; INQUIRE ABOUT PRICING

*All supplies will be provided: canvas, acrylic/watercolor paint, brushes, smocks, and anything else that will be needed; you will take home finished art project(s)

GENERAL INFO: While do have a BSBA from Aquinas, I am NOT professionally trained in art. My art lessons stem from what I have gleaned from being an artist for 25 years and a painter for 9 years as well as attending some independent art sessions offered through art supply stores and teaching art. In addition to just creating a painting, other lessons will be taught while paintings are in progress such as color mixing, brush types and usage, determining canvas and paint quality, protecting and caring for tools and paintings, using painting tools/techniques, painting circles/lines, etc...

Please feel free to ask any questions; I am open to and welcome any suggestions. There are many sizes and style of canvas as well as hundreds of art techniques; some I know and some I do not, but we can always try anything. Longer lessons/larger canvases are available for an additional fee and more difficult ideas can be shown such a damask painting. All paintings will not be finished in one session, so the customer may feel free to paint from home or purchase additional sessions. Payment will be due in full via PayPal prior to any lessons. I can invoice you (you do not have to be a member) and you can pay using any check or credit card.

I am also available for parties of any kind (bachelorette, birthday, shower, etc...) and can also offer face painting and face painting lessons; please inquire about pricing. I can come to your home or you can come to mine for individual sessions, but for groups a place will be determined at the time of purchase based on the number in the group.

Thank you and I hope you will inquire about painting lessons.