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

Hi Melanie, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
There is a phrase that I think about every single day, and it’s embarrassingly simple: “Forward is forward.”

Two days after I moved to Colorado from Pennsylvania, my first roommate asked if I was interested in climbing a 14er peak. I immediately expressed that I didn’t think I was capable of anything like that. With a little push and my fear of missing out hiking a mountain named after my favorite painter, the next day, I was at the top of Mount Bierstadt. The best part was that it was so much easier than I expected. I’ve now climbed 11 14,000 foot peaks, am illustrating awesome stickers and merch for each and every one, and have plans to conquer 8 more in 2024. Forward is forward.

When I decided to become a full-time artist, my first step was to apply to galleries. With low confidence, I took the shotgun approach and applied to seven, hoping to get into one. I ended up getting accepted into every single exhibition. In fact, I got into so many shows that I needed to create new work for my solo exhibition happening at the same time. As my confidence grew, my work seemed to improve overnight, my paintings were getting more attention, and I even gained sponsorship from local businesses.

Taking one step forward, crawling over every challenge, and taking chances on myself has paid off over and over again. I am now addicted to proving myself wrong, chasing the “impossible”, and running towards my dreams. I’ll get there when I get there. Forward is forward.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
If you’ve ever been on a hike with me, you’ve seen me lose my mind over landscapes; the colors, depth, wildflowers, and mountain peaks. Don’t even get me started on clouds. My paintings reflect my obsession for reimagining, recreating, and dramatizing the gorgeous landscapes I have experienced. I want to share how calm and fulfilling those landscapes made me feel, especially knowing, most people aren’t willing or able to travel to such remote spots.

I love to dramatize my landscapes by painting them large, sometimes warping the lines to create movement, adding sweeping clouds, and exaggerating the colors to match my memories.

Aside from my oil paintings, I have taken on a passion project to create digitally illustrated designs for all of the 14er peaks. I have 15 stickers currently being sold nationwide, and will eventually have illustrations for all 58 peaks in Colorado. Pikes Peak, not surprisingly, has been my top seller.

Nothing about being an artist or business owner has been easy, but I have the strongest intuitive feeling that I am doing exactly what I am meant to do, and that drives me forward. I am so grateful everyday I get to paint, design, plan classes, share my skills and passions with others.

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.
Things to Do: We’re driving to the mountains and going hiking or checking out the American Museum of Western Art – Anschutz Collection.

Food: We’re indulging in Himchuli’s Indian and Nepali dishes, Cast Iron Tavern’s giant burgers with mountain views, and Mac Nation’s pasta flights.

Drinks: We’re grabbing cocktails at Spice Trade Brewing & Kitchen. Shoutout to Chris and his team for creating the most delicious concoctions I’ve ever had.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to recognize all of my fellow artists at Art Gym Denver. The Art Gym is a community workspace for creatives that I have been a member of for two years. My fellow artists there inspire, challenge, and support me in so many ways. They have opened so many doors and we all continue to drive each other forward. I am so grateful for my Denver community.

Website: https://www.melaniedamore.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melanieday_art/

Other: Classes: www.denverartdays.com
Stickers: www.denverartdays.etsy.com

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.