M.R.S. ART // The Select Works of Melissa Selmon

Melissa R. Selmon works mostly in charcoal and mixed media, feeling that

black and white media deepens the meaning of her work. Her artistic focus is

the relationship between emotions and children’s facial expressions.The main

influences on her work are South African Artist William Kentridge, Social Realist

Painter Charles Wilbert White and Illustrator Joseph Hirsch. Her primary inspiration

though, is Diane Wright. A local artist, teacher, and Instructor of Art at Calvin

College, Diane saw the creative talent that Melissa possessed at a young

age and encouraged her to use her gift to glorify the Lord in any way possible.

Born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI, Melissa received her B.A. inArt & Design in

2004 from Grand Valley State University. Melissa has been involved in numerous

exhibits around the Grand Rapids area. Her piece, “Tickled,” was featured in the

July 2007 edition of Art Business News. She was a featured artist in the August

2007 edition of the Grand Rapids Times. She is also involved in the Haiku

Middle Passage Commemorative Exhibit, a traveling artistic collaboration, among

a poet, visual artists and composers. Her artwork is on display and for sale

at the Bayard Art Gallery of African American Art located in Grand Rapids, MI.

Melissa enjoys spending time with her family & close friends,

Personal travel, Kickboxing and Basketball.

photo credit: Chris Fugitt