Melissa Rohr Gindling
Portfolio

View Past Projects:

Watercolors
Books & Comics
Design

Bibliography

A Little Bird Holiday (2020)
Duskie the Owl (2020)
Nature Spirit Coloring Book (2020)
​Little Bird's First Day (2019)
Halloween Coloring Book (2019)
The Pineapple Pirates (2019)
​Puppy & Dog Coloring Book (2019)
Jungle & Rainforest Coloring Book (2018)
Little Bird Meets Anne Marie (2018)
​A Mermaid's World Coloring Book (2018)
The Amethyst Ant (2018)
The Evil Weevil (2018)
Little Bird, Little Bird (2018)
The Sleep Catcher (2018)
Unicorn & Pony Coloring Book (2017)
A Swim in the River (2015)
Aquatic Coloring Book (2014)
Woodland Coloring Book (2014)
Robot Coloring Book (2013)
Octopus Coloring Book (2013)
Crazy Creatures Coloring Book (2012)
The Snail & the Kite (2012)
The Roadside Crescendo (2012)
The Terrified Pterodactyl (2011)
A Chipmunk's Worst Day Ever (2011)
The Exorcism of Mr. Squiggles (2010)
​

Select Exhibits & Events

2019
Strange Folk Festival, St. Louis, MO
River Des Press Expo, St. Louis, MO
Sunset Hills Makers Market, Sunset Hills, MO
The Big Glamp, St. Louis, MO
2018
A Happy Little Holiday Market, Webster Groves, MO
St. Louis Small Press Expo, St. Louis, MO
​Strange Folk Festival, St. Louis, MO
River Des Press Expo, St. Louis, MO
Beastly Beauties, Soulard Art Market, St. Louis, MO
2017
Strange Folk Festival, St. Louis, MO
Holiday Show, SOHA Studio & Gallery, St. Louis, MO
2016
E'ville Indie, Edwardsville, IL
​Let Them Eat Art, Maplewood, MO
2015
Holiday Show, SOHA Studio & Gallery, St. Louis, MO
Strange Folk Festival, St. Louis, MO
Joy, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO
2014
Holiday Show, SOHA Studio & Gallery, St. Louis, MO
Strange Folk Festival, O’Fallon, IL
Custom pet portrait sketches, Neiman Marcus event, St. Louis, MO
Shades of Green, Soulard Art Market, St. Louis, MO
33 January, Old Orchard Gallery, Webster Groves, MO
2013
Rag Dolls, Robots & Rocketships, Foundry Art Centre, St. Charles, MO
Solo Illustration Show, Black Bear Bakery, St. Louis, MO
Strange Folk Festival, O’Fallon, IL
2012
Strange Folk Festival, O’Fallon, IL
Manifest Urban Arts Festival, Columbia College, Chicago, IL

Artist Statement

I'm Melissa, an illustrator with an affinity for octopuses. I enjoy watercolor, ink, and making books.

Illustration is a form of stopping time, and immortalizing the animals, people, objects and events I enjoy for the simple pleasure of enjoying the fact that they exist. By describing it on paper or canvas shows it respect and adds to the value I already hold for it.

Although some of my work is realistic, I am not simply depicting objects in photorealism. Instead, the subjects in my art are generally things that I can connect to on an emotional level, and my work brings on an emotional respect connected to the subject. My whimsical illustrations are inspired by nature and animals, silly experiences, dreams and doodles.

Working with my hands has always interested me, and I have a variety of interests in the arts including illustration, fine art, book design, wood-burning, graphic design, and photography. I therefore enjoy experimenting with a lot of different materials, although I tend to come back to watercolor & ink.

While my illustrations are focused on the emotional connection I hold with the subject, I also tend to work towards a smaller format, including the book form. When the viewer holds the art in their own hands it becomes more intimate, and therefore produces a higher emotional connection between the subject and viewer.

Custom Illustrations

I am NOT currently available for freelance projects. If you are interested in an animal illustration, those can be purchased through my shop! 

Past projects have included storybooks, coloring books, logo design, business cards, invitations, nursery artwork, pet portraits, greeting cards, and more. I will update here when I'm available for future projects.

You can also follow my Facebook page & my Instagram account, join me on Patreon, sign up for The Island Octopus newsletter, and view wholesale details.

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All artwork & images copyright 2021 by Melissa Rohr Gindling  |  Melissa@TheInkyOctopus.com  |  Find me on Facebook & Instagram  |  Privacy Policy