She loves the desert of the Southwest and it shows in her work.  This is what fuels Melissa and provides a great source of inspiration and material for her creativity.  Her eye for composition and the sharpness of her photographs bring the cacti, plants and landscape to life.  

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Melissa takes full advantage of the range of colors and shows the plants to their greatest advantage.  Many people don’t realize the variety of flower colors there can be on the desert resident plants but Melissa introduces us to them by capturing the variety and bringing them to life.  One feels that they are actually standing in the presence of the cacti.  Perhaps this is because Melissa’s goal is to bring joy to her audience as well as to show the beauty of the world around us in a brighter, more colorful way; a goal we believe she has achieved.

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Her photography has grown to include digital graphic art designs  which has allowed her to give a new take on some of her photographs.  Her originality resulted most recently in one of her first manipulated photographs of cowboys in the desert winning first place as well as best of class in a fair.  

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Currently, one can find Melissa’s beautiful photographs and photographic products in Patagonia at the Patagonia Trading Post and in Tucson at the Physio Shop Physical Therapy, the Three Canyons Beer and Wine Garden and, of course,  at the Leaping Lizard Art Gallery.  Be sure to check out her joyously colorful metal prints, framed giclee prints, greeting cards, mouse pads, and magnets!

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