Biography

Email: [email protected] Social: @melroyart Melanie Royster (MELROY), Multifaceted Visual Artist. Art has always been a passion of hers. Growing up shy and quiet, she has always used art to express herself and tell stories. Melanie really dives into her work and is not afraid to be vulnerable. When you look at her work you can also tell that she is not afraid to experiment with different media or to try different techniques, which really defines her as an artist. Melanie studied Interior Design at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Arts and is currently working towards growing in her art career. She believes that studying Interior Design has helped her learn to connect with people. When designing for clients she focuses a lot on healing effects of the client’s space, knowing that the design will affect their energy and productivity. She now uses that same practice when it comes to her art, especially when working with other brands. ​ She wants to make people feel and reflect. Melanie’s design style is influenced by Caribbean and West African cultures, stemming in part from her Jamaican background. A lot of her concepts are centered on the power and worth of women, especially women of color. She also finds Nature to be very grounding in her work and incorporates it in almost every piece. Texture and vibrant colors are also used to highlight important messages and stories, adding movement to her pieces. With regard to her art career, Melanie is striving to grow and create as much as possible, based on concepts that are really important to her. She does not want to focus on trends and on what’s “popular”. Authenticity is her goal. Melanie offers many different creative services when it comes to her artwork and hopes to use her talents to impact positively those who come across her work.

Statement

Melanie Royster is a versatile Caribbean-American Artist who uses her artwork to influence change and to empower the community, especially women. Ever since childhood she has used art to express herself, tell stories, and to make people feel good about themselves or feel seen. Having a Jamaican mother, she has always been influenced by Caribbean and West-African Culture – and uses those influences to show the beauty, stories, and culture of black people/people of color. She has found herself doing a lot of Social Justice driven projects, working with community spaces and organizations that care about human rights, women’s rights, mental health, and giving back. She realizes that as a black female artist she has an important role in that art marks history and that it is very important to uncover current trends and to be truly authentic.