Melissa Lea

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY......... . Melissa Lea was born and raised amongst the limestone filled hills of Scenic Southern Indiana. Local quarries and caverns that dotted the area made for a unique playground during her childhood. Quarry waters ranged from a tranquil aqua blue to an eerie oil black with a marshy green swamp-like covering. The caverns offered an adventurous journey deep into the earth, revealing its inner beauty and remnants of earlier life through fossils that could be spotted within its walls. . Throughout her 20’s, Melissa resided in Chicago where she became deeply involved with the Native American community. Taking in their different traditions, dress and way of life, Melissa soon found her spirit there amongst them. . This native spirit and love of nature was first revealed through her clothing designs created while attending fashion design school in Chicago. Melissa won numerous awards for her designs. She was the only one to win both top design awards in a single competition: Best of Show and The Rita Johnston Award/Scholarship at Fashion Group Internationals 1998 design competition. (45 colleges competed for these awards.) . These awards presented her the opportunity to study abroad where she also traveled extensively throughout parts of Europe. A few highlights of inspiration were North Wales, Normandy Beaches and the seemingly endless gardens of Palace of Versailles. . Upon returning to the states Melissa continued her travels across numerous parts of the country, mostly driving the “Blue highways” such as Route 66. Eventually admitting to being a “Road Trip Junkie,” she has explored a large range of terrain and cultures from Yellowstone to the Everglades, the Four Corners Region to the Smokey Mountains and the Hawaiian Islands to Ground Zero. All of her journeys have been documented through her first love: Photography. . Giving herself a rest from clothing for awhile, Melissa transcended into the world of Jewelry where her inspirations continue to reveal themselves among her endless unique designs. Melissa prefers natural stones and materials as her medium whenever possible with a fondness for moss agate and mahogany turquoise. . While residing in Nashville Tennessee, her designs gained positive notoriety from the Country Music Industry. Melissa has designed pieces for such artists as Tim McGraw and Faith Hill and comments “this is just the beginning”. . In addition to her Jewelry, 2006 saw the official introduction of Melissa Lea Photography. Melissa plans to highlight and present these and other gifts/talents as a way to give people a piece of nature they can keep with them in whatever environment they find themselves living. . Melissa expresses: “We are all related, including our relationship to Mother Earth and all that lives on and within her. I like to have parts of her near me at all times. It helps me feel complete and connected. Hopefully my creations will make others feel complete as well… or at least at peace." . Melissa now resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico...... only a few blocks from her beloved Route 66!