Meet the Artist: Melissa Miller-Nece

Name:  Melissa Miller-Nece

Hometown:  Cleveland, Ohio

Time in Dunedin:  22 years

Keys To Awesomeness:  Miller-Nece is considered one of the foremost colored pencil artists in the country. She teaches full-time at the , and is the Ways and Means Director for the Colored Pencil Society of America. Miller-Nece is a signature member of the Minature Artists of America, showing five pieces in DFAC’s January miniature art show. She’s been the recipient of countless awards, including first place in the North American Miniature Art Exhibition, and third place at the Autumn Artfest in Live Oak, Fla.  Her piece, "Colorful Calories," is featured in Prismacolor’s 2011 calendar.

How did you get started?

“I’ve made art all my life. It’s just in my blood. When I first graduated, I was working in advertising, but I realized my heart and soul was in fine art. I’ve always been a realist, and when I moved to Florida, I focused mainly on beaches and subjects relating to beach scenes.”

Where can people find your art?

“I show in group shows in the area, the Clearwater main library at the Professional Association of Visual Artists show. Our big thing every year is the Cool Art Show, which is in July. People can also find my art at Mmillernece.com, and at the .”

What keeps you doing it?

“The main thing is the interaction with my students at the . I love being able to teach, and I get a lot back from being able to do that. It keeps me on my toes, and I’ve learned a lot from teaching. I also teach a smaller class at the Beach Art Center in Indian Rocks Beach, Fla.”

Who or what influences your art the most?  Is it open to interpretation?

“I’ve always been a realist. When I go to the beach to take pictures to work from – and I work from my own photos – I want the viewers to feel like they’re with me when I take the pictures. Art’s been in my family, and my father’s youngest brother is an artist as well. He set a good example of being an artist, so it’s not unusual in my family for someone to go into art.”

What advice would you give artists starting out in your medium?

“First thing is to really work on technical skill, and that means drawing, no matter what the art. Whatever your art, drawing will help you to improve, whether it’s ceramics, jewelry, etc. You have to make business connections. I recommend getting involved in artist groups. By getting involved in these groups, you really get ahead.”

What role has social media played so far?

“I have a website, but have not had the time to really get a gallery going. I don’t have a Facebook yet, but I want to get involved with that as soon as I can.”