"Stories Fantastic and Odd",

Melissa Ellis is an Irish Artist who lives in Dublin. In 2017 Melissa was invited by Professor Jason McElligott to create an exhibition centered on the theme of storytelling. This work is currently hanging in the world renowned Marsh`s Library in Dublin. This exhibition is Melissa first solo show and it was featured in the Irish Arts review, and Culture file for Lyric FM.

"When I was a child, I found great happiness in magical and fantastical story books with beautiful illustrated pictures.  Things read to us by grandmothers from raggedy books left over from their own childhood which were often older, darker and more intense, slightly strange and definitely quirky. I have used these stories as my inspiration for this exhibition and drawing from nature underpin my work with colour." She blends elements of reality and fantasy to create her subject matter.

Melissa Ellis studied Fine Art Print Making at The National College of Art & Design in Dublin, she won a scholarship to The Graphic Studio in 2015 for the print element of her degree show.  
In 2016 Melissa won the Graduate Award Scheme, with the firm of solicitor Mason Hayse & Curran. She made three copper plate etching for this award and a thousand prints were then printed in The Graphic Studio in Dublin. Mason Hayse & Curran then sent her prints to their clients as Christmas gifts around the world.

Melissa submits her work to The Water Colour Society of Ireland, annual autumn show, which takes place in Farmleigh Gallery in the Phoenix Park. She also gives practical demonstration to visitors attending that show on how to hand colour prints
Melissa work was purchase by Yvonne Davis for the National Water Colour Collection of Ireland, University of Limerick. 

To create her art she works with copper plate etching to produce intaglio prints which she then hand colour with water colours.
Melissa has participated in many group shows around Ireland and internationally and her work has been purchase by private individuals for their collections.
She lives in Dunlaoghaire, Co Dublin by the sea.