We recently connected with Marissa Hitt and have shared our conversation below.

Marissa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Taking care of customers isn’t just good business – it is often one of the main reasons folks went into business in the first place. So, we’d love to get a conversation going around how to best help clients feel appreciated – maybe you can share something you’ve done or seen someone do that’s been really effective at helping a customer feel valued?

I have to feature a few stories that come directly from my dear customers:

“I commissioned a special watercolor of our three dogs to give to my wife for her birthday. Our dogs range from 6 lbs. to 125 Ibs. and are different breeds each with unique features and colors. This created a real scaling challenge! Marissa did an absolutely amazing job capturing the image and spirit of our pets! I was very impressed with her attention to every small detail. She is truly a gifted artist. My wife was so surprised that she cried when I gave her the gift. She is ecstatic about Marissa’s finished product and has since framed it for us to enjoy for years to come! We could not be happier and
highly recommend Melane & Co.”

“I would like to give a hearty ‘thank you’ to Melane & Co. for the portrait of my friend’s beloved doggie. He had gone to the Rainbow Bridge, and she was grieving him. I couldn’t have thought of a better remembrance for her, and I was right. She cried tears of joy when I gave it to her. Melane & Co. was great and fun to work with from the time I submitted the photo. Marissa’s care and compassion for animals shines in her paintings, and the work was done promptly even when she suddenly lost her two dogs while doing this painting.”

“We had my girl Hennessy for 14 years; she was nothing less than family and I had been searching for a way to commemorate her when I met this wonderful artist. She created a stunning portrait of my best Friend that I can cherish forever, and my family and I are so grateful. It doesn’t get more beautiful than that.”

These are just a few stories that are featured on the Custom Pet Painting page on melaneandco.com.

With your pets’ photos, I study the shades of their fur, their demeanor, their expressions, the sparkle in their eyes… & I depict their presence & your memories with them into their painting.

Creating your pet’s portrait is a personalized process, & I am honored to reflect your pet’s personality in their painting.

Showcasing your pet’s soul is my goal.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I began showing my artwork in galleries at the age of 5. Back then, I used acrylic paint to create my art pieces. I would make paintings for hours, then visit galleries in Kansas City.

After years of other exciting endeavors such as ballet & scholarship pageants, in high school, I knew I wanted to pursue something for the long term. I was led back to art, as well as business.

At first, when I launched Melane & Co., (“Melane” is the middle name I share with my mother), I hadn’t yet realized that the brand would become more than just a business, but a lifestyle.

Through Melane & Co., I create watercolor pet paintings, stationery, & home decor.

Melane & Co. is inspired by childhood memories—a joy that can be cultivated at any age.

Growing up, my days consisted of studying illustrated children’s books & spending time with my family’s dogs [& also petting the cats I encountered & was never able to take home].

Melane & Co. exists to offer joy, so that you can express it. Whether I am creating a dog or cat painting of a beloved furry family member or packaging stationery that will be sent to your family & friends, I believe that what we surround ourselves with matters. With Melane & Co., I have the honor of sharing more than just products & art pieces, but a lifestyle.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

This is a fun question to answer, because the Co-Founder of Melane & Co. is my mom, Terri Hitt. I also consider Mom my business partner, though we just signed papers so that I am now officially the head of Melane & Co.

“She does 99% of the work,” my mom has said for quite some time, but Mom will always have a voice in Melane & Co.

We take daily walks together, & on these walks, we have conversations about what books we’re reading, cherished moments with family & friends, & of course, our businesses that aren’t just businesses, but lifestyles.

My mom does not consider herself as creative as me, but what I say to everyone who declares that they are not artistic in any way is that they are creative, & they are creating a lifestyle for themselves.

Creativity isn’t a trait that’s solely tied to people who are illustrators or painters. Rather, creativity is seen in many occupations & familial roles.

For example, my mom is a Christian mentor for mothers. Through her show, the Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast & her mentorship program, The Set Apart Collective™, my mother teaches women to stop being good moms, but to become godly moms (by the way… visit terrihitt.com to discover her work dedicated to God & Christian families).

I have an immense amount of admiration for the women who rely on the Lord, raise their children to choose Christ, & are intentional about giving them joyful childhoods.

What a creative, joy-filled life.

I’m honored that Melane & Co. & Terri Hitt Co. share the same values; a reflection of our mother-daughter relationship.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I believe each of us is creative in our own ways, & we can give back to others through the lifestyles we cultivate.
 
One of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is to learn about the ways my paintings connect with others.

When I am commissioned a pet painting, sometimes I’ll receive some commentary about a pet’s personality. In turn, I take owners’ facts about their pets, & I incorporate that into their pets’ expressions & body languages.

Or other times, a particular Melane & Co. wall print will be extra meaningful to a recipient.

I recently attended a wedding, & I was informed that the couple had a sentimental connection with pigs. So, I had to gift the newlyweds with Melane & Co.’s wall print, “This Little Piggy,” which features a portrait-style painting of a piglet. I’m not sure why there was something special about pigs to the couple but witnessing their reaction to the wall print after their wedding ceremony… those kinds of moments make artwork so personal.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://melaneandco.com
• Instagram: @MarissaMelaneHitt (www.instagram.com/marissamelanehitt/) & @MelaneandCo (www.instagram.com/melaneandco/)
• Facebook: Melane & Co. (www.facebook.com/melaneandco)
• Youtube: Melane & Co. (www.youtube.com/@MelaneandCo)
• Other: Pinterest: @MarissaMelaneHitt (www.pinterest.com/marissamelanehitt/) & @MelaneandCo (www.pinterest.com/melaneandco/)

Image Credits

Photos by Jenny Shipley

White floral arrangement by Victorian Gardens

Artwork by Marissa Hitt through Melane & Co. (melaneandco.com)