Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Shelton.
Hi Melissa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My grandmother taught me how to sew when I was 8; my first projects were doll clothes and heart-shaped pillows. There was a small, dusty corner in my grandmother’s attic where stacks of scraps and pre-cut fabric for quilts were stuffed into cardboard boxes. I would pick out my favorite colors and prints and head back downstairs to figure out what to make. Up until the pandemic, PlayBright Studio was a way to support my vintage collection and various hobbies; then, I lost all my income. When I got back on my feet, I bought a sewing machine. I sewed a new wardrobe, made a website for PlayBright Studio, applied to markets, and started creating illustrations and jewelry that made me smile. Making connections and seeing reactions to my artwork at markets over the past year feels special.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I grew up in a small town in Kentucky; like many other small towns, there were few art outreach programs. I felt like an imposter at the beginning of my art schooling. I was overcompensating and looking for validation in the wrong places. Over the years, it has become clearer that value comes from how meaningful something is to me and seeking approval from within. Of course, bad days still happen, but despite challenges, I’m grateful for my upbringing and the unique perspective it’s given me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I first studied advertising and business before attending art school, and I love painting and making videos and animations. However, within the last 6 years, I have worked on designing jewelry, creating illustrations, and printmaking. The subject matter of my work is what I was drawn to as a child: bright colors, bold patterns, animals, flowers, and plants. Over time, Tarot cards have become a fun way for me to find inner guidance. I’ve since begun a series of re-interpretations of the deck illustrated by Pamela Coleman Smith. My color and style choices are inspired by storybooks and fairytales like the Brothers Grimm, Wind in the Willows, Frog & Toad, Alice in Wonderland, and artists like Beatrix Potter and Lisa Frank. I hope others feel the joy and peace I do when making artwork.
What are your plans for the future?
I am attending a slow fashion sewing retreat in Maine run by Samantha Hoyt of A Gathering of Stitches this summer. With what I learn, I plan to expand PlayBright Studio into handmade apparel while continuing my tarot series Illustrations and making new jewelry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.playbrightstudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbrightstudio/
- Facebook: @playbrightstudio
- TikTok: @playbrightstudio
