Melissa Monroe’s journey into the art world was anything but traditional.
Growing up without the influence of art schools or museums, she was unaware that being an ‘artist’ was even a profession.
However, a chance encounter in 2012, while working at a coffee shop, transformed her life.
Watching an artist create a mural sparked a pivotal realization: People do this for a living?
This moment prompted her first forays into creativity, experimenting with leftover house paint, crushed glass, and scrap wood.
In her words, this outlet became a way to process her emotions.
‘I didn’t realize how angry I was,’ Monroe reflected.
‘Crushing the glass felt like letting something out — like I could breathe again.’
Today, Monroe’s artistic practice has evolved, but the primal urge to express and process her feelings remains at its core.
She now works with an array of materials including yarn, foam, wood, and tufting machines that work with impressive speed.
Among her creations are vibrant masks, large rugs, and sculptural furniture, demonstrating her diverse artistic range.
Prior to embracing her role as an artist, Monroe was a mother of three who found herself struggling to envision a life beyond her early marriage.
After going through a challenging divorce, she faced financial uncertainty but found hope through her art while selling her paintings on eBay.
‘I got divorced. It was terrifying. I didn’t know how I’d survive on my own,’ she said candidly.
During this time, her art offered both an emotional outlet and a means of survival.
Operating out of a converted church in Portland, Monroe’s home studio is where she crafts her unique pieces.
One of her highlighted works is a carpeted stool adorned with bear faces and filled with stuffed teddy bears, aptly titled What’s Inside Is on the Outside.
Through this piece, Monroe explores the theme of vulnerability, sharing insights on how our inner struggles manifest outwardly.
‘I wanted to talk about vulnerability,’ she explained.
‘The idea that what you carry internally will eventually show.’
Monroe describes her artistic style as ‘silly serious,’ where laughter intertwines with deeper emotional connections.
‘I want to make people laugh — but I also want to connect with them on a deeper level,’ she said.
Her vision is simple yet profound: to elicit both laughter and tears, fulfilling what she refers to as the ultimate goal of her art.
This blend of humor and poignancy has resonated with audiences, including Marsha Mack from the Pacific Northwest College of Art.
Mack notes, ‘Melissa’s work has taken women’s crafts to a new level.
It’s fresh and irreverent and it’s also part of a bigger conversation about femininity.’
Monroe acknowledges the historical contributions of women in craft, noting that their creations were often overlooked in the realm of ‘fine art.’
‘Women like my grandma made things all the time — quilts, decorations — but it wasn’t considered “art.” I think that’s changing now, and I’m excited to be part of that,’ Monroe said.
In addition to her tufted sculptures, Monroe is renowned for her handmade masks, which she often wears during her performances.
She describes the transformative experience of donning a mask, saying, ‘When I put one on, I move differently.
I become someone else.
It’s play, but also a spiritual thing.’
While some masks are intended for sale, many remain deeply personal treasures she chooses to keep.
To commemorate her work, she has even tattooed her favorite pieces onto her body, allowing her to carry her art with her everywhere.
This has even opened doors for her in the art world, leading to an exhibition opportunity after a gallery owner took notice of her tattoos.
Recently, Monroe’s visibility surged after a video featuring her in costume with a handmade mask went viral on Instagram, amassing 2.5 million views.
Reflecting on the experience, she stated, ‘It was amazing.
I was showing my true self and another moment in my art career where I was like, “Oh, I’m being really vulnerable,” and people could see more of who I was.’
Monroe’s work is currently on display at the Center for Contemporary Art and Culture at PNCA, as part of an exhibition with five Portland-based fiber artists, coinciding with Portland Textile Month, which celebrates the rich world of fiber arts through a series of lectures and events.
image source from：opb
