Heirloom Portraits

More than a portrait.

A presence remembered, reimagined and revealed.

Commission a deeply personal, intuitively painted portrait that honors the essence of someone meaningful to you.

Some portraits are more than likeness—they’re a bridge between what’s felt and what’s seen.

Whether it’s a gift, a legacy piece, or a tribute to someone beloved, this is an opportunity to commission a one-of-a-kind artwork rooted in beauty, emotion, and transformation. My portraits are not reproductions—they are reinterpretations. Layered, textured, and alive, they emerge through a process that blends intuition, aesthetic depth, and soulful presence.

From Image to Essence

From source image to final painting:

A transformation guided by memory, intuition, and emotion.

Heirloom Portrait

A timeless tribute through intuitive painting

  • A portrait reimagined from a meaningful photograph

  • Created through Melissa’s signature layered technique

  • Includes a short artist statement

  • Comes with a behind-the-scenes time-lapse video (edited with music and credits)

Best for: Clients seeking a meaningful, visually striking tribute or a powerful, art-forward gift

Legacy Edition

A multimedia heirloom that honors story, voice, and visual memory

Includes everything in the Heirloom Portrait, plus:

  • An audio or video memoir-style interview with you about the subject

  • A custom-designed, professionally printed portfolio booklet (8–12 pages) featuring:

    • The original reference photo

    • Final painting

    • Color palette + process photos

    • Artist notes and reflections

Best for: Clients who want to preserve the full emotional arc of the subject—voice, memory, and meaning included

Edwin Rivera

“I was very inspired by Melissa’s work so I commissioned her to paint a portrait of my mom. My mom was like, “whoa, this is amazing!” She was very taken with it. Every time I look at it, I get a new or different sensation, it’s a very evolving piece to me. It’s very bright, illuminating and inspired- like my mom.”

Wade Danielson

"Every time I look at the painting Melissa created for us—which is often—I notice something new, something I hadn't seen before. The depth, the layers, the movement... it’s like the painting reveals itself in different ways depending on the light, my mood, or the moment. It has become a cherished part of our home, and we couldn’t imagine the space without it.”

Have a question?

Want to discuss a possible commission?

Let’s connect. Each portrait is a collaborative, intimate process—and I'd love to hear who you’re thinking of honoring.