Born in England in 1966 and as a child emigrated to Australia with her family. 

Mellissa has studied and practiced printmaking and painting continuously since 1997 and is a recipient of many prizes and awards:  2007 bringing for example, 1st prize in the Sydney Royal Easter Show – Printmaking;  finalist in the Victorian Cancer Council Art Awards;  Redeemer Christian Art Prize and the inaugural Eutick Memorial Still Life Award.

Mellissa is passionate about the history and craft of printmaking, in particular wood engraving – originally used for book illustration.

Light, form and detail are carved out of tiny end grain wood blocks, portraying local birdlife, landscapes and scenes from her irrepressible imagination into paintings, prints and personalised book plates.