Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melissa Borrell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Melissa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, folks often look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight – but that often obscures all the nitty, gritty details of everything that went into the growth phase of your business. We’d love to hear about your scaling story and how you scaled up?

When I think of “scaling up” I think of the scale of my artwork. I went from designing and creating tiny sculptures that can be worn on your ear or finger to large scale installations that surround and create an environment that many people can experience at the same time. That is maybe not exactly the intent of the question but for me changing the physical scale of my artwork has been a huge part of the growth of my business both literally and conceptually.

Melissa, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am an Austin-based artist who creates sculptures and immersive environments that surprise and delight while striving to inspire viewers to see the wonders that light, shadow, and color create in everyday spaces. Fascinated by math, geometry, nature, technology and architectural forms, my work is sophisticated yet playful. With an engineering mind and a delicate aesthetic, I combine materials and forms to illuminate the objects and ideas that she finds awe-inspiring.

A native Texan, I grew up in Houston and have lived in many cities around the globe. I studied French and studio art in Boston and Paris and worked as a studio artist in San Francisco for several years before moving to Providence for graduate school. I received an MFA from Rhode Island School of Design and has since worked on Public Art commissions for the City of Austin, Art Alliance Austin, the Lawndale Art Center in Houston, Texas State University galleries, and the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs among many others. Additionally my work is installed in private homes and corporate offices across the United States. I am a member of the VisonGland Collective and has been an artist in residence at Sculpture Space in Utica, NY, the Vermont Studio Center, the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, and Platteforum in Denver, CO.

When I’m not in the studio, you might find me cooling off in a swimming hole, rolling out a pie crust in the kitchen, or gazing up at the trees in the park dreaming up my next creation.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

As an artist, I am constantly fulfilled and inspired by my collaborators. Consulting with various experts such as engineers, architects, and fabricators during projects gives me insight into new techniques and ways of seeing the world that help me push my art and ideas forward.

I always knew I wanted to keep my business small so that I could put my art practice first. Because I’ve maintained my business model of one, there is a beautiful ebb and flow to my team based on the projects I’m working on. Depending on the scale of the work I might be working with a team across the world, or just a few close collaborators. What I love about my business is that there is a natural evolution to the business side that grows alongside the artwork. For example, when I work with larger teams my work is often scaled up and, with access to installation experts, I have the opportunity to take those lessons with me to the next piece.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I make art to create site specific works that reflect space and community. I love seeing viewers interact with my work, which is a huge drive for my public art practice. Creating a sense of space through site specific visuals is incredibly rewarding and it fuels me to take on ambitious projects. With each of my artworks, I aim to reflect the values of the people and organizations it serves. My goal is to engage viewers through creative placemaking and a shared sense of discovery. I work with a wide variety of materials to achieve this and love the opportunity to translate my visual signature of wonder at the natural world around us into an expansive array of media. Currently, I am working on a dream project: a suspended sculpture inspired by the mathematical work of Sir Roger Penrose for the city of Houston. It’s an honor to have my work be a part of my hometown’s public art collection and definitely a milestone for my career. I cannot wait to see what new inspiration fuels the next project.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.melissaborrell.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaborrellart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaborrellart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissaborrell/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVKBHBWvfuWkCKufQ9-62SQ