As a young woman, her B.A. in fine arts from the University of Texas at Tyler took a backseat to the corporate world for many years: advertising exec; graphic designer and art director of her own company; and later corporate and executive recruiter.  Not surprisingly, she was recognized in national competitions for her print design and annual reports, but shortly after her move to Denver in 1994, the satisfied extrovert began to hear from the starving artist.  She says she “felt like her soul was drying up”.   An oil-painting class at the Art Students’ League of Denver rained water on that desert ground.

Over the next five years, Melinda studied painting at the League under the guidance of master painters like, Quang Ho, Kim English, Kevin Weckbach, and Ron Hicks.  As her passion and skill grew, so did her dream to paint full-time.  She made the leap in 2003 and brought years of corporate skills into the new and intricate dance of a full-time professional art career.  She hasn’t looked back.

Since that decision, Melinda has participated in over 8 one woman shows in Santa Fe, shown in national and regional shows gaining recognition for her figurative paintings. Her work is collected among collectors across the US and internationally. She has been featured in major articles in national and regional magazines and newspapers such as Southwest Art, American Art Collector, The South African Artist Magazine, the Santa Fean Magazine, and Albuquerque Journal. She has been chosen multiple times as a finalist in the national Boldbrush art contest and over 20 times as FAV 15%. She has been a finalist twice in the Members Only Portrait Society of America Show, and placed 7th in the Animal Category in 2021. She has won awards of Excellence in National Oils and Acrylic Society (NOAPS), the Sedona International Art Competition, Western Oil Painters of America and fall online OPA showcase. As a sought out teacher, she teaches and offers professional studies courses as well as offering workshop instruction from other nationally known artists.

In 2019, Melinda met internationally award-winning Julio Reyes and Candice Bohannon.  They introduced her to egg tempera. Since that time she has focused her energies towards mastering egg tempera and now works in both oils, egg tempera and gouache.

Melinda is currently represented by Alexandra Stevens Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM; Texas Treasures Fine Art, Boerne, TX;  Jack Meier Gallery, Houston, TX; and OA Gallery, St. Louis, MO.   She is a member of the Portrait Society of America and the America Impressionist Society