About

Hello! I'm Melissa Rachel Black, an illustrator, designer, + photographer living in Portland, Oregon with my cat Oreo Pie. I've been illustrating pet portraits on my drawing tablet with her supervision since 2012! Animals are my favorite part of life and it is truly an honor to create these keepsakes for you.

For a history of my art career, please feel free to read on!

I studied Fine Art at the University of California Santa Cruz from 2006-2010, where I learned and practiced both digital and film photography. I absolutely fell in love with film photography and being in the darkroom - there's something incomparable about being down there making magic. I flourished within the container of a beautiful community of dedicated creative students and teachers.

I was a photographer for the local and school newspapers, photographing musicians and events.

I also studied digital art, printmaking, bookmaking, drawing and letterpress printing, with a study abroad year for graphic design at the University of Leeds in England in 2009.

I worked as a graphic designer of wedding invitations in Berlin, Germany in 2010, where I also began my own company for the first time selling vector illustrations.

I've operated as a letterpress printer for a greeting card company.

I started my own greeting card company, where I wholesaled in 50+ stores around the globe.

I went "viral" for my gummy bear mosaics, and even sold some to a gallery in Hong Kong.

I created a deck of inspiration art cards called "Clarity Cards", to help ease anxiety and gain clarity and inspiration throughout our days.

I had the honor of illustrating two children's books.

I've been illustrating and designing custom projects for businesses and individuals since I graduated in 2010, and I absolutely love it. If you're interested in a custom project, please feel free to get in touch. I'm looking forward to it!