Tell us a bit about yourself. Who you are, where you’re from and what you do.

I’m Melissa Donoho. I’m an artist living in Kansas City, Missouri. I have two amazing kids, an adorable Toy Australian Shepherd and a recently adopted cat. I like small nooks and spaces that allow moments for quiet conversation and discovery.

As a child, I loved making forts and would decorate them with cardboard paintings that no one would ever see. There is a sense of freedom in creating when you think no one is looking. These days, when I travel, I’ll bring a kit of art supplies and create small pieces on paper each day that I hang in unexpected places. I enjoy looking for alleyways and coffeeshop windows to put these guerilla art shows up for strangers to discover.

Also, I’m a sucker for color and it knows it. Color just speaks to me. Particularly bright colors that are most likely found on strange, vintage plastic objects.

How did you get your start as an artist?

I can’t remember a time when I haven’t made things. As a little girl, I saw every scrap of paper and every piece of cardboard as gold. They were opportunities to express what was in my mind. I even set up a secret art studio in my closest to allow myself to create freely and escape into my imagination whenever I wanted. I went to collage to study art. I moved out into the world and made art. It’s just always been a part of my life in some way.

What do you love most about what you do?

I love making things with my hands. And I don’t just mean what I’m creating, but how I’m creating. The truly tactile nature of making art is so rewarding. I spend a lot of time in my day job as a Trends Forecaster working on the computer, so it is nice to unplug and just make a mess. As a collage artist, playing with color and shapes is the thing I love most. I'm always looking for interesting combinations of color whereever I am. It's a bit of an obsession. I have a sketchbook dedicated to color that I am always painting in, coloring in and taping things into. It is a go to source for a lot of what I create.

“As a collage artist, playing with color and shapes is the thing I love most.”

— Melissa Donoho

What do you find the most challenging?

Honestly, the most challenging part is simply finding the time to maintain a daily art practice. I once made a promise to myself to make something every day and I try my best to stick with it. No matter how I’m feeling. Even if it’s spending 10 or 15 minutes sketching or cutting out shapes. Every day I create something. I recently got a book called Make Time for Creativity by Brandon Stosuy. It’s really helped me focus on making creating a priority.

When things get tough, where do you find the inspiration to keep moving forward?

Sometimes it’s as simple as going on a walk. I get so much inspiration from nature. My neighborhood is filled with old houses that are so uniquely colored. I love to see what people are wearing and doing—just to get an idea for textures and movement. I also like going to vintage shops and secondhand stores and finding bits and pieces to use in my work. I have a lot of books I go to as well. Sometimes, I’ll just grab a big pile and flip through pages to see what catches my eye that didn’t before.

Who is someone you admire most and why?

Lisa Congdon has always been a big inspiration. I love her work and how she easily carries her style from one format to another. She is supportive of other artist and is always willing to share her skills and knowledge with others. I have several of her books that have been game changers in how I think about my creative practice.

Tell me something unusual that makes you happy.

My husband’s homemade granola. Shoes … but who doesn’t love shoes? Pickles? I don’t know. Creating makes me the happiest. Oh! And trash- finding bits of discarded papers that I can added to my collection of collage materials. Now that definitely makes me happy.

Anything weird on your bucket list?

Staying in one of those human nests out in Big Sur. That sounds pretty dreamy. Right now, just traveling anywhere seems weird. Right?

Top three songs you keep on repeat?

Anything by Jenny Owen Youngs. Retro Madonna for a pick me up and to take it down a notch, Cigarettes After Sex.

Podcast you can’t get enough of?

I Like Your Work Podcast hosted by Erika B Hess is one of my favorites. It’s nice to hear real talk on what it’s like to be a creative person.

How do you fuel for the day?

Coffee first. Always coffee. And then I like to ease into the day. Mornings just aren’t my thing. So if I can start the day off at my speed, enjoy my coffee, pet my dog and do a little yoga, I’m set. Typically, I find the late afternoon and evening to be my most creative time. And that’s when you’ll find me in my studio working away.

Tell us about your vision for the future. Go big! We want to root you on!

A long train ride across the country with a bag full of collage supplies and a sketchbook. Time to think, reflect and create without so many distractions.

Melissa Donoho | @melissa.donoho

Melissa Donoho Interview