Melissa Peterson
Visual Development Artist/Environment Painter
Development Branch of The Creators Society
A visual development artist/environment painter, currently living in San Antonio, Texas, is our Creators Society Spotlight Member Melissa Peterson. How do you keep an organization moving forward during the Covid years?? With the help of our President Eric Miller, Melissa and other volunteers, kept us busy!
As you are well aware, all public socials with members were stopped, but Zoom and other computer programs opened up possibilities for CS Members across the country. Melissa Peterson, Development Branch Go-Getter, had numerous event ideas, and immediately wanted to get them going for our members.
Who started the Creative Critters Club? “I wanted a place where I could interact with fellow artists, so we could learn and be inspired by each other,” she said. “It is now a place for people working on projects to connect and participate, from composers to actors and artists, editors and directors and producers,” she added. Check out the weekly Newsletter for upcoming dates.
Who organized a speaker's panel discussing the creative process of writing and art design for Animation? Melissa took the lead for, “The Art of Listening: Building Your Animation Project.” Our Emmy Award winning speakers were Grant Moran, head writer and producer for Kids and Family Entertainment, along with Jill Daniels, art director and visual development artist. Jill is well known for her work with Disney’s Phineas and Ferb, among so many others.
Another event Melissa organized was, “The Heart of Story,” with Producer & Director, Annie winner as well as British Academy of Film & Television Arts(BAFTA) and Golden Globe Winner, Brenda Chapman. Michael Cawood, our Emcee for this program, is a multi-award winning British Animated Filmmaker, based in Los Angeles, with credits in Film, Commercials and Games. Brenda is known for the films Brave, The Prince of Egypt, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Come Away, Up and many more.
Melissa worked with the Creators Society Diversity Committee and Chair Jourdan Barnett, on an event called “Part of the Picture,” with Alyssa Zarate from Sony Pictures Imageworks. You have seen her art direction and background painting in films such as Spider Man: Far From Home, The Mitchells vs. the Machines, and many others with Melissa’s personal favorite The Chronicles of Narnia:The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Alyssa talked about and answered questions regarding the importance of diverse experiences and the need for inclusivity throughout the Animation Industry.
As a student, Melissa attended The University of Maryland, studying Advertising Design as well as Graphic Design at Allan Hancock College, Santa Maria, CA. She later added classes in Fine Art painting at The Art League School of Alexandria, Virginia (The Torpedo Factory.) Her love of art extended to teaching continuing education courses in painting and drawing.
For 16 years, Melissa worked with companies as a Graphic Designer/ Illustrator, including multimedia animation work. She even illustrated several Children's Books, including “A Pony Named Twister” by Steven Carroll (March 2020).
This artist also has a love for ice skating, in fact, she coached US Figure Skating for 18 years!! Blessed with Twins, Melissa said, “As soon as both kids could walk, I had them on the ice.” (see pic)
Son Tim, skated for a couple years, but he has that musical gene, learned a number of instruments, and marched in two elite international drum corps bands, The Crossmen and The Troopers. A very talented musician, he is now working on a masters in Public Administration.
Daughter Abby continued with her Mom as the skating teacher/coach. Currently working on a masters degree in civil engineering, Abby coaches and competes in Intercollegiate Figure Skating. She is the first president of her college figure skating club and organized the team's first competitions for her university. (see pic)
Constantly learning and growing in her artistry, Melissa studied visual development with The Oatley Academy under Disney/DreamWorks Artist, Chris Oatley, and worked on a mentorship with Sony ImageWorks Environment Supervisor Alyssa Zarate, through Women in Animation's Mentorship Circles. She is currently looking for employment and willing to relocate.
You really have to check out her website at https://MeliPeterson.com
The original illustrations and paintings are phenomenal, according to this writer! As a Gallery Artist, she was honored with showings in Washington DC, California and Texas, winning awards in traditional oils and acrylic painting. I asked what inspired her to continue her art, Melissa said, “God’s creations and a passion for people; and critters!”
Overall her advice to others: “The Creators Society is a great support group for all creatives in animation. Being involved has allowed me to grow as a person and develop leadership skills that I did not know I have. I could not have done this without the help of Eric Miller and other volunteers. The Creators Society has brought a sense of connection to people that think outside of the box who are interested in entertainment and story for these dark times. You will find friends at the Creators Society, as a professional or student. In addition, your ideas will be heard and are needed. I hope you will join me.”
You can also find Melissa on:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-peterson-83775a63/
https://www.instagram.com/melissapeterson9924/
