Melissa Vandiver Art

“Be kind, be involved, believe in your art,” he said. “At a time when people tell you art is not important, that is always the prelude to fascism. When they tell you it doesn’t matter, when they tell you a fucking app can do art you say, if it’s that important, why the fuck do they want it so bad? The answer is because they think they can debase everything that makes us a little better, a little more human. And that, in my book, and in my life, includes monsters.”

Love this from Guillermo del Toro

DONATE TO DIRECTLY SUPPORT LOCAL IMMIGRANT FAMILIES RECOVER FROM THE BORDER PATROL OCCUPATION with a QR code that goes to https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/M5B2FFV5WSLDJ

A colorful splattered watercolor portrait of a striped cat looking up by New Orleans artist and illustrator Melissa Vandiver

A colorful splattered watercolor portrait of a dark color dog, by New Orleans artist and illustrator Melissa Vandiver

Union Migrante wants to help New Orleans area immigrant families recover financially from the immigration occupation. I am offering a free 8x8" watercolor pet portrait similar to the ones here to anyone who donates $300 or more through the end of Mardi Gras (Feb 17th). $10 shipping within the US. 1/

A cross stitch of a cat holding a sign that says fuck ice

The back of the cross stitch finished in orange felt.

Fuck 🧊!

To claim yours, I just need a screenshot of the PayPal transaction that shows identifying info for you and that it was received by Union Migrante. You can DM me about it or email me at melissa@mvandiver-art.com.

The timeline on when you receive your painting will depend on my workload 😉

/End

DONATE TO DIRECTLY SUPPORT LOCAL IMMIGRANT FAMILIES RECOVER FROM THE BORDER PATROL OCCUPATION with a QR code that goes to https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/M5B2FFV5WSLDJ

A colorful splattered watercolor portrait of a striped cat looking up by New Orleans artist and illustrator Melissa Vandiver

A colorful splattered watercolor portrait of a dark color dog, by New Orleans artist and illustrator Melissa Vandiver

Union Migrante wants to help New Orleans area immigrant families recover financially from the immigration occupation. I am offering a free 8x8" watercolor pet portrait similar to the ones here to anyone who donates $300 or more through the end of Mardi Gras (Feb 17th). $10 shipping within the US. 1/

Haha yeah she won't walk and then she will forget she "can't" walk and get distracted and then remember that she's hostage to jacket

Haha aww. Well the one who is cat sized (well smaller) grows her own sweater and overheats easy so I don't really dress her up. Margie here is definitely too big haha

A black dog sitting on concrete in the sun wearing a pink and grey fleece jacket, with potted plants and a man wearing brown pants sitting behind her

She thinks she can't move in the jacket. Normally in the yard she runs around the whole time. Here she is, hostage to the jacket

A black dog sitting on concrete in the sun looking at the camera and wearing a pink and grey fleece jacket

Well I've taken a break from posting to this account because I got bogged down in holiday work and now I'm bogged down by *gestures around* but here's our (much less little) pup Margie "enjoying" (hating) her jacket on this frigid day

15 square images containing illustrations in a square with the bottom right 16th image being the logo for Melissa Vandiver. First row, left to right: A smiling frog on some vines, the Crescent City Connection at sunset with an underwater village below, three mermaids dancing and the one in front is Big Freedia, and a Bear, a dog, a turtle, a lizard, and some birds posed next to a tree looking at the viewer. Second row: the Natchez steamboat with silhouettes of mermaids dancing beneath, a colorful street scene with people on bikes and an older couple walking and holding hands, eight fish looking at something off to the side very excitedly in front of underwater houses, and two bulldogs walking down the sidewalk in the New Orleans French Quarter. Third row: an alligator walking away form us into water full of cypress trees, a man on one knee giving Chicago-style hot dogs to two dogs with the Chicago bean in the background, a mermaid sleeping under a net on a cot, and two dogs getting into boxes of balls and toys. Fourth row: an orange and pink octopus with yellow spots and purple glasses is smiling, two dogs in Dia de los muertos costumes dance in front of a crowd attending a parade, and an underground view of an earthworm talking to the roots of a plant.

Hello #portfolioday! I'm a New Orleans-based artist and illustrator, looking for representation. Most of my work is in picture books; I love animals, vibrant colors & texture, and elaborate, layered scenery. You can view more of my illustration work on my website. www.mvandiver-art.com/illustration

A painting of a fluffy white dog on an orange and yellow background, with a black bone-shaped nametag with the name "Buddy" written on it, and a black and blue collar. By New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #artist #illustrator #blueskyartmarket #artadventcalendar #petportrait #dogs #dogsofbluesky #dogsky

Buddy

#ArtAdventCalendar. For more of my work, visit www.mvandiver-art.com

A painting of a furry green dog in a santa outfit on a yellow background, with her hands on her hips. By New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #artist #illustrator #blueskyartmarket #artadventcalendar #petportrait #dogs #dogsofbluesky #dogsky

And to go with yesterday's #ArtAdventCalendar post, my other dog, Louise, as the Grinch (very much her real life personality)

To see more of my work, visit www.mvandiver-art.com.

A painting of a brown dachshund on a green background, with a branch tied to her head with a red ribbon. By New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #artist #illustrator #blueskyartmarket #artadventcalendar #petportrait #dogs #dogsofbluesky #dogsky

Another one of my Kirby, as the Grinch's dog

#ArtAdventCalendar. To see more of my work, visit www.mvandiver-art.com

A painting of two dogs on a dark green background. One dog is light brown with black ears, wearing a crown, furry vest, and purple shirt, and holding a glass of white whine. The other dog is dark brown, wearing a gold sequin top, and holding a martini. By New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #artist #illustrator #blueskyartmarket #artadventcalendar #petportrait #dogs #dogsofbluesky #dogsky

Those bitches, we all know em

#ArtAdventCalendar. To see more of my work, visit www.mvandiver-art.com

The cover o f the book Real River Rats, by Anna Romano Johnson and illustrated by Melissa Vandiver, published by Arcadia Publishing. Yellow text reading "Real River Rats" is in front of a painting of seven rats in different shades of brown and grey dancing. They are on a grey gravel path at the top of a levee covered in green grass and plants. In the very front is a river with rocks and long grass sticking out of the water. In the background is a blue and purple night sky with stars and a moon. Art by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #artadventcalendar #illustrator #kidlit #kidlitillustrators #kidlitillustration #kidlitart #booksky #litsky #kidlitsky #art #neworleans #nolatwitter #nolasky

My next #ArtAdventCalendar post is the cover of the latest book I illustrated, Real River Rats by Anna Romano Johnson. It's a chapter book for early readers with just a few illustrations, about the rats that live on the batture in New Orleans. To see more of my work, visit www.mvandiver-art.com.

A dachshund wearing a pink cape and collar with pearls sewn into it, over a heart-shaped bolo and frilly white shirt and dark pink vest. By New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #artist #illustrator #blueskyartmarket #artadventcalendar #petportrait #dogs #dogsofbluesky #dogsky

This is my own dog, the late great Kirby, as Liberace. I call it Wienerace. "Why Liberace?" you ask. Because he dressed fun, that's all.

I really miss her.

#ArtAdventCalendar. To see more of my work, visit www.mvandiver-art.com

A painting of a brown poodle with fluffed out hair, wearing a purple, green, and yellow polka-dot bowtie, on a blue background. By New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #artist #illustrator #blueskyartmarket #artadventcalendar #petportrait #dogs #dogsofbluesky #dogsky

This is Alan. I think he looks like an Alan.

#ArtAdventCalendar. To see more of my work, visit www.mvandiver-art.com.

We've had somewhere around 1200 images posted for #ArtAdventCalendar in the first 3 days and I would guess that less than 50 have been posted without AltText.

Platform wide, AltText use is about 20% (apparently)

For AAC...about 96%

Over 450 artists leading the way. Fantastic job everyone.

A painting of a pitbull dressed as Princess Leia from Star Wars, with plants behind her. The background is the night sky with the Death Star in the distance. By New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #artist #illustrator #blueskyartmarket #artadventcalendar #petportrait #dogs #dogsofbluesky #dogsky

Oh hey it's Princess Luna.

#ArtAdventCalendar To see more of my work visit www.mvandiver-art.com

A painting of a furry grey dog on a green background, wearing a crown of flowers and several strands of Mardi Gras beads. A butterfly is perched on her shoulder. By New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #artist #illustrator #blueskyartmarket #artadventcalendar #petportrait #dogs #dogsofbluesky #dogsky

Continuing from yesterday's #ArtAdventCalendar post (bsky.app/profile/mvan...), I'll post Lulu's sister, Cricket, all decked out for Mardi Gras. To see more of my work, visit www.mvandiver-art.com

Thank you!

Watercolor botanical pattern of leaves and flowers in a bronze frame

It’s time! #ArtAdventCalendar
#ArtYear #EastCoastKin #Watercolor

A digital painting of a Wyandotte rooster, with black edged rust red feathers, long amber feathers trailing from his neck and bright red wattles. He has bright iridescent and black tail feathers arching up and back. The background is simple, washes of watercolor for brown dirt, sage green brushes, and a Robin’s egg blue sky.

Happy first day of #ArtAdventCalendar, folks.

I’m sharing this excellent Wyandotte rooster I digitally painted for #birdtober. I work in #Procreate using natural media brushes.

#chicken #birds #art #illustration #digitalArt #SciArt

A magenta iris with bright green leaves next to a stem of purple iris buds. Background is green gold blooming watercolor.

An iris I painted for my mom after my grandma passed away in 2017. ❤️

#ArtAdventCalendar

Paper punched butterflies of various colours and patterns poked through by a specimen pin and into the back of a gold picture box frame.

‘Tis the season for… #ArtAdventCalendar!

Day 1️⃣

A kaleidoscope of paper butterflies boxed with specimen pins 🦋

A colorful abstract painting of dandelions, showing round white seed heads on thin brown stems against a vibrant background of greens, blues, and yellows, with soft glowing circles and blurred streaks of light

Good Evening. In typical fashion, I'm late to the Advent kick-off. But hey! It's still day ONE!!
#ArtAdventCalendar
"Wisdom Of The Weeds"
Acrylic On Canvas
#painting
#torilart
#art
#fineart
#acrylic

A view from a walk I took this April in the Yorkshire Dales in England. A sheep looks at the viewer will cascading hills and valleys beyond. The sky is orange and red with the setting sun.

#ArtAdventCalendar
#artistsofbluesky

Day 1
A view from a walk I took in the Yorkshire Dales this past April. What a glorious place.
Please tap to see the full painting. You are missing most of it here.

Peach pattern with graphic arched fern shapes and line artwork of peacocks and peahens standing within.

#ArtAdventCalendar Day 1

Kicking things off light and breezy with this art deco inspired peacock pattern

This photo is a close-up, macro shot of a poinsettia plant, a species botanically known as Euphorbia pulcherrima. The image is dominated by the vibrant red modified leaves, known as bracts, which are often mistaken for flower petals. These striking, star-shaped bracts are a defining feature of the plant, especially during the festive season. At the center of the red bracts are the actual, small, yellowish-green flowers, called cyathia. The background is a deep black, which makes the bright red of the plant stand out sharply.

#ArtAdventCalendar
#MacroMonday
#SensoryArt #Season

#Poinsettia #BloomScrolling #Holidays #Festive #Christmas #OnlyBeautifulThings #TheLittleThings #SimplePleasures #Breathe #FlowerPhotography #PhotographersOfBluesky #PhotographersUnited #EastCoastKin #AltText

Handbuilt ceramic bowl with light blue-green Celadon Bloom glaze that creates random white "blossoms" in the glazed surface.

Breaking out some of my pottery for #ArtAdventCalendar. This is a large handbuilt platter with one of my favorite glazes, Celadon Bloom.

#EastCoastKin #PottersOfBluesky #ceramics #MondayBlues