Melissa Milton has lived in Arkansas, U.S., all of her life. She was born the youngest in a family of seven. She grew up in Fayetteville, which at that time was a quaint little Southern town populated by 10,000 residents and 5,000 University students. The small town residents were mainly comprised of farmers, hippies, professionals, and University students who blended together extremely well. This created an atmosphere of a small Southern town holding traditional values laced with liberal thinking, which imprinted itself upon her.

It has never been unusual in Fayetteville to find musicians playing on sidewalks alongside farmers selling fresh produce. Enclaves of local artists always found outlets in wonderful local hole-in-the-wall shops prior to the modern day Arts Explosion which now permeates Northwest Arkansas. As the arts have grown in her region over the years, Melissa has served on the Boards of Directors for the following Arts oriented Non Profit Organizations: The Walton Arts Center , the Artists of Northwest Arkansas organization, and The Art Gallery at NWA Mall (a Community Arts Center).

A retired attorney, Melissa is now physically disabled from inherited medical conditions (Dysautonomia and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome). For years she has been limited in the amount of time each day she can be upright standing or sitting. She began creating art in earnest as a way to combat the boredom of having to be sedentary and at home most of the time. A now 500 square foot art studio has evolved over the years, centered around a sofa and an oxygen machine.

The artwork has gradually grown into an integral part of Melissa’s daily life. It has also become an enjoyable part time gig, selling art on the side through local Galleries, gift shops, exhibits, museums, various art shows, and online. Melissa would be creating the art whether or not it sold. But she loves that the art sales fund the creation of even more art.

In addition, participating in the Galleries and gift shops has led to many wonderful friendship, and the opportunity to frequently enjoy other artists’ artwork which she’d have otherwise have never gotten to experience. She feels that is just perfect.  

Melissa lives in Fayetteville with her husband & pets, and has many friends and relatives in the area (including grandchildren living only 5 minutes away). She feels that is pretty perfect, too.