Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Gerard.
Hi Melissa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Design and aesthetics have always quite literally colored my world.
My mother is an incredibly talented artist who creates beauty in all facets of life – from her garden that is layered with texture, form, and rich colors, to culinary creations and beautiful sketches I often found laying about the house or tucked into drawers.
I always thought my love for color and aesthetics would lead me into the fashion world but when I married my Naval pilot husband, I quickly realized the odds of being stationed in a fashion city like New York, Paris or Milan were, well, zero.
We moved often and with each new city and house, I found such satisfaction in creating and curating a well-appointed home. From 1920s craftsmen to new construction condos, we lived in a variety of architectural styles that required their own specific decorating styles. And without an endless budget, I had to get creative. I began making art to fit the needs of my own home and fell in love with the way a piece could transform a space.
The colors, the movement and most importantly, the feeling a work of art can create are what continue to inspire me in my work. In 2020, I decided to seize an opportunity to realize a dream by turning my hobby into a business and I haven’t looked back since. Every piece that is created and sent out into the world feels so incredibly special and soul-fulfilling. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to create.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think it’s fair to say that anything worth doing is not going to be easy. I had (and still have) so much learning to do. From creating invoices and websites to managing social media (such a struggle for me!) and shipping, every day I stumble and learn. I am often frustrated but I also love the learning process and am grateful for the knowledge becoming a business owner has given me.
I am not a formally trained artist (dual fashion merchandising and journalism degree) and learning techniques and processes have been enlightening, but also incredibly time-consuming. Sometimes, it is easy to feel like I am not a “real” artist like so many that I admire because I didn’t go to art school or get an art degree.
But I like to think that this is precisely what makes my art special, that it is authentically me. My intuition, mood, and environment are largely what influence my work, and my hope is that each final product represents the truest of these.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My art is really an expression of my life. I am a Southern girl, native Atlantan with roots spread across the Southeast thanks to many Navy relocations over the years. But the deepest of these roots are planted firmly in Jacksonville, FL where I have settled with my husband and two children.
My time as the wife of a Navy pilot took me on the adventure of a lifetime and introduced me to many new coastal hometowns where the presence of water was a constant in a life that was anything but. Long a lover of the ocean and the Lowcountry, my work celebrates the natural beauty that richly painted, and continues to paint my life. Color and texture are defining characteristics of my painted canvas and mixed media paper collage works.
I am probably most known for my fringe umbrella collages which are full of texture and color thanks to the many layers of painted paper that create depth and movement. I think we all can associate a happy memory shared with loved ones with a colorful umbrella.
Whether it was summers spent with friends at a neighborhood pool, a special beach vacation with family, or even a backyard oasis you’re always happy to come home to, umbrellas represent the carefree and relaxing feeling each of these offers. It is my hope that my art will bring the same lighthearted feeling into your home every day.
What makes you happy?
I am happiest exploring our big and beautiful world with my family, finding new inspiration at every turn, and gaining a deeper appreciation for this amazing planet and the people around us.
Hiking in National Parks or enjoying a cocktail under an umbrella on the beach (research!), I am equally happy and recharged. There is something magical in experiencing the natural world that fills our souls and allows us to be more authentically ourselves.
Contact Info:
- Email: Mgerarddesigns@gmail.com
- Website: Melissagerarddesigns.com
- Instagram: @mgerarddesigns
Image Credits
Headshot photographed by Andrea Bottin Photography
