Hello! I am Melissa!

I am a self-taught Canadian pencil realist artist whose passion for realistic drawing was ignited at a young age, inspired by renowned wildlife artists Robert Bateman and Carl Brenders. Specializing in graphite, she also enjoys working with coloured pencils, pastels, charcoal pencils, and oils to create stunning, lifelike artwork. An avid photographer with a focus on nature and wildlife, Melissa’s artistic pursuits are deeply connected to the beauty of the natural world.

With nearly 25 years of teaching experience, Melissa has shared her expertise in realistic drawing through online tutorials and lessons. Her teaching journey began in 1999 when she started offering pencil drawing classes through Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario. In 2003, she took a pioneering step by designing Canada’s first online pencil drawing classes, which are now offered across thirteen Ontario Community Colleges.

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My realistic pencil drawings have been featured in a high school textbook published by McGraw-Hill Ryerson and in an international promotional brochure by Sakura Products of America, highlighting my early work in pointillism. A colored pencil piece of mine was also featured on the front cover of From My Perspective, Ann Kullberg’s magazine. More recently, I was showcased in a CBC Arts series. I have completed commissioned wildlife and children’s portraits across Canada, the U.S., and Europe. Additionally, I have participated in numerous group and juried exhibitions, studio tours, festivals, and solo shows. Over the past few years, I’ve also focused on teaching online drawing tutorial courses.

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