Melissa Hefferlin was born in 1968 into a life pointed at classical violin. This musical trajectory lasted 16 years before she pivoted to visual arts.
Hefferlin studied in Los Angeles, Tennessee, and behind the Iron Curtain (she was the only American at the Russian Academy of Arts during the Soviet Period). In 1993, she went pro, wielding paint and charcoal, linoleum, and brayers as tools to solve visual puzzles, enchant the cynical, and sprinkle bits of harmony around the bristling world.
She has several avatars in her paintings, the most frequent of which is a winged rabbit named Wilhemina. She and her avatars love languages, speaking Russian and Spanish and enough Italian to eat well. Hefferlin co-hosts a live videocast with Swiss-American photographer Nina Froriep, called “An Artful Life: Curious conversations about how humans make and use art.” This can been seen live on LinkedIn, Instagram and Youtube, and in recordings in those same places.
Melissa and her husband split their time between Spain and the US where they inhabit a bank building from 1919, which they renovated themselves.
To meet Wilhemina and follow Melissa’s art further, follow her Instagram.
About
Awards, Distinctions, publications
First Place, OPA Spring Showcase Cash Award Online Oil Painters of America 2024
17th International Salon Art Renewal Center, Semi-finalist 2024
Artists Magazine, Juror for 41st Annual International Competition, Still Life section 2024
Artists Magazine, Author of the feature “The Object as Talisman”, Summer-Fall 2024
Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine Artists Painting Artists feature, Dec 2023
Still Life Award of Excellence, Oil Painters of American National Convention, Steamboat Museum 2022
Guest Artist Pastels du monde au féminin, Montluçon, France 2022
Guest Artist 4th Biennale de Pastels Lyon, France 2022
Best Non-Commissioned Portrait, Portrait Society of America, Members Only Competition 2021
Artists Magazine Annual Competition Second Place Award for “Fish out of Water” 2021
Society of Women Artists International Competition Juried into exhibition 2021
Pastel Journal Feature Article “A Paradigm of Beauty” by Robert Carson, Oct 2020
Caran d'Ache Award Spanish National Pastel Biennial Oviendo, Spain 2018
Great American Painting Award Pastel Society of America National Juried Exhibition NYC 2017
Selected Artist Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition2017
Selected Artist Pastel Society of America National Juried Exhibition NYC 2017
Signature Status Pastel Society of America 2016
Salmagundi Club Non-Member National Competition 2016
Member with Distinction American Women Artists 2016
Finalist, American Women Artists Spring Exhibition Online 2016
Finalist, Artist Magazine Annual International Competition, 2016
National Purchase Prize, City of Olvera, Andalusia, Spain 2013
American Artist, feature article, June, 2009
Salmagundi Award of Excellence at the National Juried Pastel Society of America NYC 2008
21st Century Waterfront Monumental Mural, Winner of the All-State competition
Popular Choice, National Exhibition Oil Painters of America Still Life 2003
Artist in Residence Robert M. MacNamara Foundation, Westport, Maine 2003
Selected collections
Hunter Museum of American Art, USA
Academy of Fine Art Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia
Seimens Collection, USA
Memorial Hospital, USA
Erlanger Children’s Hospital, USA
Southern Adventist University, USA
UNUM Provident Life Insurance Corporation, USA University of Tennessee Chattanooga, USA Southern Adventist University Church, TN USA
Siskin Children’s Hospital USA
Mask Cotton, Memphis Tennessee USA
City Hall, City of Chattanooga, Chattanooga, Tennessee USA
City Hall (Ayuntamiento), Olvera, Spain
City Hall (Ayuntamiento) Ronda, Spain
Memberships and Associations
American Women Artists, Member with Distinction
Oil Painters of America
Pastel Society of America - Signature Member
ASPAS (Association of Spanish Pastel Painters)
Union of Russian Fine Artists Full Member
Co-Founder, Co-Designer Serithea Silk Scarves