Meet Melissa Campbell | Illustrator, Designer, Artist

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

Hi Melissa, what role has risk played in your life or career?
The main thought behind risk – it is a part of life. You can either chose to embrace it and see where the journey takes you, or you can fight it and stay stale. A lot of people in Colorado will say that one of their biggest risks was moving here, but was it? Yes, I took a chance on something- picked up my life and moved it 1600 miles away. The role that played; it put me in a different location, with different opportunities to choose from. A few risks I’ve taken within this new geographical location that have put me in a great place in life; feeling empowered enough to be the president of our local AIGA chapter. Continuing my freelance company because it continues to connect me to great projects like illustrating my first children’s’ book. Being apart of UpaDowna, a local non-profit where I get to be active in the community and creative. Without taking risks, whether you want to consider it relocating or putting yourself out there, has allowed me to embrace more of what life is about. It has put me on a great journey to share my gifts with the community and meet some incredible people along the way.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art depends on who is paying, ha. I think what sets me apart from others is my illustrative work, that is also the part that excites me the most. I love being able to draw something custom. It all started because I hated using stock art/ clip art/ anything generic. I wanted my clients to be able to have something that other businesses weren’t going to have. Is it easy- not always, especially when sometimes they don’t know what they want. A lot of my work is illustrating with craft breweries on their beer labels; and some know exactly what they want on a can, some don’t. 99% of the time we can come to a conclusion.
It has taken some time to finally get to a place where I am proud professionally. The creative industry is challenging because things are always changing, you needed to know something new yesterday and then it will change again tomorrow. You should have known ten years ago that UX/UI was a thing and go to school for that instead. Or animation, or video editing, or anything to help you advance your career. Why didn’t you anticipate that??? Always having to change your portfolio, keep an updated website. Its a never ending industry to keep up with. You need to be resilient and adapt. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to never stop learning. Do what you need to do, and learn along the way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well for food; Breakfast places would need to get Crème Brûlée Waffles at Yard Bird in Denver, then if it’s hockey season we are going to a game for sure. If its summer then head up to Breckenridge to check out Thomas Dambo’s Isak Troll- maybe hit up Mt. Blue sky or hike a trail nearby. Stop in Idaho Springs and grab a brew at Tommy Knocker. Then hit up Alma fonda fina or a sister restaurant for dinner. Or Start in Colorado Springs; go to Garden of the Gods Market and Cafe for Brunch, head towards Victor to Dambo’s other troll Rita, if its winter check out Front Range Climbing and do an ice climbing day. or come back and hike up the Manitou Incline. For dinner eat at Ephemera, located in Coati, Maybe check out a Switchbacks game, and then definitely get Josh and John’s ice cream.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Shoutout is to my godmother. She was a great artist, and so amazing at watercolor. The collection of art she had was also just inspiring and in her words decorated as a drunken sailor. I miss her dearly but keep two of her pieces in my living room. She was an avid supporter of my art and after she passed a large reason why I switched to abstract painting which made me see art in a completely different way. I wish I could still go get a pint and a monte cristo (sandwich) with her in Georgetown and talk about life, but i’ll just keep creating in her memory.

Website: https://craftedcranedesign.com