Melissa studied Illustration at the University of Hartford Art School 2005, where she was awarded the Irma and Mort Handel Illustration Award for "Best Illustrator of the Year”. In earlier years, Melissa studied at Silvermine Guild where her grandfather taught painting in the 70’s. Later on, she traveled to France to study plein air painting in the countryside, then to Italy where she spent a semester learning traditional techniques and exhibited at a local gallery. 

Melissa’s love for travel and art became a deep passion. About a decade later, she lived in Guatemala for over a year where she continued to work and live as an artist for the first time in her life. Melissa has had several group shows in various states and countries over the years, including a solo show where she was written up on the front page of the Norwalk Hour in her hometown of Norwalk, CT.