Melanie Royster (MELROY), Multifaceted Visual Artist.

Art has always been a passion of hers. Growing up shy and quiet, she has always used art to express herself and tell stories. Melanie really dives into her work and is not afraid to be vulnerable. When you look at her work you can also tell that she is not afraid to experiment with different media or to try different techniques, which really defines her as an artist.

Melanie studied Interior Design at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Arts and is currently working towards growing in her art career. She believes that studying Interior Design has helped her learn to connect with people. When designing for clients she focuses a lot on healing effects of the client’s space, knowing that the design will affect their energy and productivity. She now uses that same practice when it comes to her art, especially when working with other brands.

She wants to make people feel and reflect. Melanie’s design style is influenced by Caribbean and West African cultures, stemming in part from her Jamaican background. A lot of her concepts are centered on the power and worth of women, especially women of color. She also finds Nature to be very grounding in her work and incorporates it in almost every piece. Texture and vibrant colors are also used to highlight important messages and stories, adding movement to her pieces.

With regard to her art career, Melanie is striving to grow and create as much as possible, based on concepts that are really important to her. She does not want to focus on trends and on what’s “popular”. Authenticity is her goal. Melanie offers many different creative services when it comes to her artwork and hopes to use her talents to impact positively those who come across her work.

(Artist's CV/Resume Below)

Artist Melanie Royster with her paintings at an art show

Objective:

A versatile and skilled artist seeking opportunities to use my artwork and creativity to influence change and to empower the community, especially women.

Education:

Master of Education in Sport Leadership

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond VA May 2017

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond VA May 2015

Awards:

5th Biennial Maryland Regional Juried Art Exhibition Presented by University of Maryland Global Campus, 3rdPlace

Residencies:

Art Residency, Palette 22, Union Market Washington, DC, 2024

Exhibitions:

“Garden of Aadya” Exhibit, Melanie Royster and Genea Morrow, Village DC, Union Market, Washington, DC, 2021
6th Annual Creative Chicks Art Event, Hello Tittie, Brooklyn, NY, 2022
Annual WOCAX Women of Color Art Expo, Columbia, MD, 2022, 2023
Group Exhibition “Rise Above”, Curator Marlon Powell, Howard County Welcome Center, 2023
Group Exhibition “Black Future’s Month” curated by Blk Omi Art Co. and Ipade DC, Washington, DC, 2023
Group Exhibition “Woke Beingness”, curated by Cheryl Edwards, Prince George’s County Park and Recreations, 2023
Group Art Exhibition “The Colors of Black”, Above Art Studio, New Jersey, 2024
Art show at NBA Indy Allstar Weekend, Ujamaa Art Market, 2024
Harlem Fine Arts Show, D Muse Collection, 2024
5th Biennial Maryland Regional Juried Art Exhibition Presented by University of Maryland Global Campus, 3rdPlace
10th Annual Environmental Justice and Health Disparities Symposium

Murals:

Café Mural, The 3rd Inc, Columbia, MD, 2021
Airbnb Mural, Collaboration with Realtor Tracey, Landover MD, 2022
Stage Mural, The 3rd Inc, Columbia, MD, 2022
Retail Mural, Femme Fatale DC, Washington, DC, 2022
Dining Room Mural, Capitol Heights, MD, 2022
Dining Room Mural, Baltimore, MD, 2022
Home Office Mural, Stafford, VA, 2022
Kitchen Mural, Washington, DC, 2022
Front Patio Walkway Mural, Washington, DC, 2022
Guest Retreat Mural, Washington DC, 2022
Outside Patio Mural, Fryer’s Roadside Restaurant, Silver Spring MD, 2023
Restorative Justice Hub Mural, Shaw Washington, DC, 2023
West Elm Storefront Mural in collaboration with Trevor Project, Mosaic District, VA, 2023
Backyard Patio Mural, Baltimore MD, 2023
Tik Tok USDS DC Office Hallway Mural and Wellness Hallway Mural, Union Market DC, 2024
NVG LLC – DC Government Relations Firm Entrance Mural, Human Rights Campaign Headquarters, Washington DC, 2024

Articles/Publications:

Featured Artist in Gritty Vibes, 2020
Featured Artist in Artiste Culture, 2021
Illustrated the book “The Love of Toddlerball”, Authors Raphael Jennings and Sherrell Wilson, 2022
8 Page Spread Upstart Annapolis Magazine Fall 2023 Issue, interviewed and written by Christine Lundquist Fillat

Collaborations/Partnerships:

Art Design on comb/hair pick, AfroPick, 2020
Temporary Tattoo Design, Inkbox, 2021
Art for Shirt and Hoodie, Flavors Blend, 2021
Hand-painted Women’s March Banner, Women’s March, 2021
Frontline Action Hub Green Card Art Installation at Capitol Hill, Working Families Org, Washington, DC, 2021
SEIU Home Care Art Installation, Working Families Org, Washington, DC, 2021
Original Painting/Digital Art for Tahirih Justice 25th Anniversary, Tahirih Justice, 2021
Album Cover, JMB Music, 2021
Earring Design Collab, Soultry Brand, 2022
Bi-Annual Black Girls Art Show, Winter and Summer 2022
Partnership for Black History Month, Hello Sunshine, 2022
Merch Collab, The 3rd Inc, Columbia, MD, 2022
Live Painting Mural, 21 Million Savage Art Expedition and Networking Event, Ujamaa Art Market and Bitcoin Conference Kings, Miami Beach, FL, 2022
Curated an Art Pop up Series with Collaboration with Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery, Washington, DC, Summer 2022
Beer Label Design in collaboration with Troegs Beer and Black Vikings Brewing for Barrel and Flow Beer Festival, Pittsburgh, PA, 2022
Panelist, “Social Justice and Civic Engagement” Panel, Barrel and Flow Festival, Pittsburgh, PA, 2022
Lead Panel, Ujamaa’s Studio Launch Party – Miami Art Basel, Wynwood Miami, FL, 2022
Artwork for Nugget Nectar First Squeeze Poster, Troegs Beer, PA, 2023
Beer Label Design in collaboration with Old Thunder Brewing for Barrel and Flow Beer Festival, Pittsburgh, PA, 2023
Liquor (Brandy) Label Design in collaboration with Angry Orchard and Noire Distillery for Barrel and Flow Beer Festival, Pittsburgh, PA, 2023
Hand painted Clothing, Designs in collaboration with Eje International Designs for Milan and Paris City Fashion weeks, 2023
Group Window Art Installation “Soulful Panes”, curated by Dinah Myers-Schroeder, M-NCPPC, Wheaton, MD, 2024
Coachella Merch Collaboration with Coachella and GV Black, California 2024

Skills:

Proficient in painting acrylic on canvas and murals.
Experienced in Adobe Creative Suite and Procreate.
Strong understanding of space, scale, art history and theory