About

Hello! I'm Melissa Rachel Black, an illustrator + photographer living in Portland, Oregon.

My current mission is my project "Notes to Self/Healing Art", where I create prints combining my nature photography with sayings to remind folks of our strength, joy, and ease. Something beautiful that you can walk by each day that could change the course of your day, or serve as a gift to someone to do the same.

My secret wish is to help folks feel well, for their own sake because their happiness, health & joy matter. And, because when we feel well, we have the capacity to help heal others and our world. 

The sayings I share are things that have cropped up on my own healing journey that have helped me move through the world from a grounded, regulated place. I hope they can help you too. 

I have been an artist for a good while at this point!

I studied Fine Art at the University of California Santa Cruz from 2006-2010, where I learned and practiced both digital and film photography. I absolutely fell in love with film photography and being in the darkroom - there's something incomparable about being down there making magic. I flourished within the container of a beautiful community of dedicated creative students and teachers.

I was a photographer for the local and school newspapers, photographing musicians and events.

I also learned digital art, printmaking, bookmaking, drawing and letterpress printing, with a study abroad year for graphic design at the University of Leeds in England in 2009.

I worked as a graphic designer of wedding invitations in Berlin, Germany in 2010, where I also began my own company for the first time selling vector illustrations.

I've operated as a letterpress printer for a greeting card company.

I started my own greeting card company, where I wholesaled in 50+ stores around the globe.

I went "viral" for my gummy bear mosaics.

I created a deck of inspiration art cards called "Clarity Cards", to help ease anxiety and gain clarity and inspiration throughout our days.

I've been happily drawing pet portraits since 2013, and have now expanded to family and house portraits. I am absolutely and wholeheartedly obsessed with animals and it is a huge passion to create these keepsakes for folks. Please message if you'd like one!

I've also spent a huge portion of my life with chronic illness and disabilities. And, I'm extremely passionate about helping others on their healing journeys too, primarily through art and words. 

That's it for now! Let's see what the future holds, shall we?