Artistic BIOGRAPHY
Born in Medellín, Colombia, in 1989, Melissa Maria Marin Mellan is a surrealist artist whose nomadic lifestyle has profoundly shaped her creative vision. After moving to Orlando, Florida, and spending a decade in New York City, she continues to draw inspiration from her travels, emotions, and personal experiences.
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Her artistic journey began at 17 after a sports injury ended aspirations in professional athletics. Seeking an outlet for self-expression, she started working with pencil and charcoal, later transitioning to acrylic painting, where she explored deeper textures and color techniques. Over time, she embraced digital surrealist art, merging intricate compositions with a dreamlike quality that defines her unique style. While some of her earlier works incorporated traditional acrylic elements, her current collection consists of fully digital pieces designed for high-quality prints.
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Art became more than just a creative outlet. It became a path to self-discovery and a deeper connection with God. Through her work, she explores the complexities of human emotion, using surrealism as a way to process feelings, personal growth, and resilience. The act of painting and drawing became a meditative process, allowing her to reflect on her life experiences and find strength in her faith.
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Her portfolio includes powerful works such as "It's Her Nature" and "Soul in a Mirror," intimate reflections of self-discovery, solitude, and healing. Many pieces explore themes of resilience, self-love, and introspection, inviting viewers to contemplate their own inner worlds.
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The deeply personal nature of this work sets it apart, transforming surrealism into a visual language of hope, strength, and self-exploration. Constantly evolving, the exploration of new techniques and artistic elements remains a priority. Looking ahead, the focus is on sharing this journey through exhibitions and projects that reach a broader audience, inspiring others to find meaning in their own transformation.
Professional experience
Parallel to her artistic endeavors, Melissa has built a robust career in marketing and analysis. At Colossus SSP, she serves as a Multicultural Publisher Development Associate, managing diverse publisher accounts and developing strategies to optimize performance. Her role involves ensuring diverse and inclusive content across various platforms and providing technical support to publishers.
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At Univision, Melissa worked as a Brand Analyst, focusing on converting data into actionable insights. She managed large sets of data to uncover trends and patterns, which were then presented through visual and compelling PowerPoint presentations. These insights helped drive strategic decisions and optimize brand performance, contributing to the company's success in a competitive market.
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During her time at MTV, Melissa was involved in various projects that required creative problem-solving and analytical skills. She developed and implemented marketing strategies that enhanced viewer engagement and expanded the network's reach.
Education
Melissa holds a Bachelor of Science in Advertising Communications from St. John’s University and a Master of Science in Psychology in Human Factors from Grand Canyon University. Currently, she is pursuing a Doctor of Science in Business Administration: Marketing (Qualitative Research) at Grand Canyon University.
skills
Melissa's skills encompass a wide range of analytics and business development tools, including Research Tools, Qualtrics XM, Nielsen Tools, Salesforce, Hubspot, and LinkedIn Sales. She excels in converting data into actionable insights, managing large data sets, and creating visual and compelling PowerPoint presentations to drive strategic decisions and optimize performance.
A Journey of Creativity and Insight
Whether through her surrealist creations or her analytical and marketing expertise, Melissa's goal is to inspire and drive positive change. She looks forward to connecting with others who share a passion for creativity and problem-solving.