Meet-the-Artist Garrett Melby
From organizers: Come out and enjoy as we celebrate local artist Garrett Melby for being selected by the Missouri Art’s Council as a featured artist for the state of Missouri. Stop by check out the art that is on display and chat with the artist.
About Garrett:
I grew up rurally and developed a passion for the art and the outdoors. After graduating high school, I moved to Arizona where I graduated from Collins College in Tempe with a degree in animation and art. While attending college, I happened to be able to be part of an art movement in Phoenix during the early 2000s. My art scene debut was at the First Friday Art Walk. My paintings, animation, and video work were on display in galleries during my time there. I started doing live art at this time with jazz and trip hop musicians. This gave an outlet to create a full circle form of art that I brought with me back to Missouri. I now predominantly do live paintings with both local and national bands. I create a one-of-a-kind piece of art during the band’s performance, usually on a 3’ or larger canvas. I feed off the energy of the band, crowd and venue. The painting and colors are decided by the vibe that I pick up throughout the show. These are in timeframes of anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. Most based on wildlife, particularly birds of prey, bears and buffalo.
My art is on display in West Plains, including: Wages Brewing Company, the West Plains Public Library, the Yellow House Community Arts Center, and Luster Arcade, The OzSBI, Spring River Draft House & Grill in Hardy Arkansas and the Where House Bar in Springfield.
I’ve been blessed to be able to paint live with Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, The HillBenders, Jalopy, Aaron Kamm and the One Drops also, IBMA and Grammy award-winning musicians The Steeldrivers, and Joe Newberry. I’m fortunate to be featured in interviews broadcast on NPR’s KSMU, 105.1 The Bull, Secondhand Talent Podcast.
I’m the coordinator for Honest Imaginations, a T.J. Swift House art-based day habilitation program for individuals with special needs. I also serve as the Fundraising Chairman for the Yellow House Community Arts Center. I have helped raise money for CASA, Christos House, The Bridges Program, Bikers Against Child Abuse, the Queen City Shout and many more with my art. I feel that being blessed with a gift is always worth sharing to help others in my community. Being selected for this feature is an amazing honor I am humbled and blessed to have this great opportunity in our great state of Missouri.