Meet Emilee Melin | Artist/Muralist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emilee Melin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emilee, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
The most important lesson I have learned through my business venture is that not everything goes as planned. A lot of the time life takes me on unexpected paths and things unravel far different than anticipated. A year ago I would have never thought I would be where I am today, but I trust in the journey and believe that the right opportunities are given when the time is right. The biggest take away is learning to adapt, especially as an artist. Clients in my field aren’t always ready to prioritize art, or im working with people who have big business plans and things get held up in the process on their end. Whatever it may be, being able to adapt to the project and the client’s needs are crucial.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
With my art, my biggest goal is to share things that make people feel connected and inspired. I think life can get the best of all of us and it can be refreshing to have something beautiful sparking a little bit of happiness or a reminder that we’re not alone. For me, art is a channel to help me remember why im here and how to get through difficulties. It helps me express my emotions and reminds me that it’s okay to feel. We don’t always have to be happy, or sad, or angry but we’re allowed to be all of it, and feel all of it. By sharing my art I hope to connect to people and invoke sensations of emotion; I want to inspire that sense of fluidity and happiness in others.

Growing up I always dreamt of being an artist, but the older I became I made myself believe I needed to find a “real job” so I never pursued my art career. Then I dropped out of college and bounced around from job to job, always doing my art on the side. All this time I felt as though something was off balance, I knew I couldn’t be happy with an average job and to be honest with myself, I knew I wanted a career in art. So I made the decision that no matter what, I will continue to work on it. Through this back and forth I eventually came into opportunities that would help me transition into making art a full-time career. A huge stepping stone for me was working at The Exchange Coffee shop. The owners, Andy and Kim, offered me opportunities that would guide me to the realization that I was capable and doing it. From there I’ve continued to seek opportunity and work hard to create my business.

The thing im both most proud of and excited about is the journey. I always dreamt I could make it happen, and now im actually doing it. Feels more like a gift than anything else, Its hard to believe that im actually able to achieve something I’ve wanted my whole life. Im thankful for all the people who have helped me become the artist I am and im excited for everything that lies ahead, for the people i”ll make connections with, the projects I’ll get to do, and the places I’ll travel too. Although the future isn’t totally clear, I couldn’t express enough how thankful I am for every piece of it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Most days would include coffee, an outdoor activity, and a brewery.

Some of my favorite spots for morning/lunch are Shugas, The Exchange, Carnelian Coffee, Switchbacks Coffee

For evening/drinks Goatpatch brewing, The Archives, Oskar Blues, Steelpan PNP

Outdoors, I love going to red rocks open space, palmer park, and ute valley

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to the owners of the Exchange Coffee Shop, Andy and Kim, for their continued support and providing me the opportunity to paint a mural in their shop. I also designed their stickers and logo for them and they continue to sell my custom stickers at their shop. Also shoutout to Steelpan PNP, they have an awesome team of people who are always ready to support local artists. Another shoutout to Dez the Bakist for hiring me to do mural work all over her new building for her coffee shop. Of course, another shoutout to my friends and family for always believing in me and encouraging me to chase my dreams as an artist.

Website: emartwork.com

Instagram: @emileem_art