S’hello, friends!

MY NAME IS MELISSA…

As a hand lettering & illustration artist, I believe that words have the power to make an impact on how we see and experience the world. My art is a vessel for positive change, and as a way to process and explore my emotions.

I see my work as a starting point to conversations about vulnerability, cultivating community, ocean conservation, and my experience as a Queer/Bisexual Filipino-American.

My art style is heavily inspired by my childhood being raised near the ocean in the central coast, always visiting the Monterey Aquarium and going on trips to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. I also work with mainly a blue color palette because it can symbolize honesty and radiates friendly and calming energy. 

One of my goals as an artist is to help others realize the things about themselves that make them special and that their voices and their stories are important in the journey of finding their own styles and their own passions.

Through my art, I share waves of positivity over the daily struggles of our human existence and aim to create a community of courage through vulnerability. By living and creating art authentically, I inspire other creatives to become the bravest version of themselves.

Features

PRESS RELEASE | San Jose Sharks Host Annual Pride Celebration Game

The annual Sharks pride game will celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and recognize the diverse identities within the community while showcasing the importance of inclusion, visibility, and pride. This game will also promote allyship while educating and fostering a safe and welcoming environment. 

Art Seen | Mural illustrates how the Filipino community’s roots run deep in Watsonville

“Santa Cruz muralist Melissa Marzan works on her mural project at Filipino Community of Watsonville. With a grant from Arts Council Santa Cruz County, Marzan’s vision begins with the notion that, “to embrace equity is to recognize that life is not a level playing field for everyone.”

Santa Cruz SentineL Newspaper interview

“A self-described shy and introverted child, Marzan began drawing as a way to make friends to spark conversations with other students. Today, her art has connected her with ocean enthusiasts, performance artists, and deepened her sense of responsibility to share her culture.”

STudent Spotlight Interview

In this session, Melissa touches on:
- How she built a brand true to herself.
- 3 big hurdles she's had to navigate.
- Turning negatives into positives.
- Waking up and taking yourself seriously.
- Murals, freelance, and more!

Shoutout Miami | Local Stories

Meet Melissa Marzan | Hand Lettering & Illustration Artist

“I want the world to know that I live and breathe my authenticity. My art is an honest window to my human experience, and I want to let others know that they should tell their stories and share their own experiences through their creative outlets.”

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History: Featured Chalk Arist

“Inspired by the recent influx of neighborhood chalk art due to shelter-in-place, we've been inviting local artists to fill 6ft 'social distance circles' throughout Abbott Square every month.”