melei*makes @meleimakes - Tumblr Blog

Another year, and another visit to Tom Garrett's Pro Prac class at MCAD! This May marks my 5th year since graduating with my BFA in Illustration (already???). Since graduating, I've learned a lot of things and my visits to his class is where I get the chance to pass on what I've learned to the students! I hope that they are able to take away some helpful tips as their finish up their time at MCAD. And speaking of finishing up, this is Tom's last year teaching at MCAD. He's been an invaluable mentor to me during and after school, and I wish him the best on his upcoming well-deserved relaxation!

#make mcad #mcad #minneapolis college of art and design #alma mater #public speaking #artist talk #pro tips #product design #stuffed animals #dog toys #art #illustration

-backyard bandits-

they're cute, sassy, and ready for some mischief!

individual character prints and prints of the image above are available to purchase HERE

-spunky punky purple pup-

#art #digital art #artists on tumblr #illustration #dog #pup #doggo #purple #cute #sassy #punk #illustrators on tumblr #corel painter

Catching up on posts-- here’s a group of products I’ve designed that have been sold at Target during the last few months! It’s always so fun to see my designs in stores. The Bumbleboos (bottom image) are one of my favorites!

#art #design #product design #target #animal adventure #cute #toy #dog toy #stuffed animal #christmas #valentine's day #pet toy #animals #plushies

happy husky pup

a fun speedpaint of a chunky and cute husky pup!

#art #digital art #dog #cute #husky #siberian husky #puppy kisses #illustration #meleimakes #artists on tumblr #illustrators on tumblr #doge #puppy #pupper #doggo #speedpaint #happy

For 3 years in a row now, I've stopped into my alma mater to give Tom Garrett's Pro Prac students a talk about what I learned before and after graduating MCAD. Tom was and still is a fantastic mentor. I feel honored that he has asked me to share tips and truths with his students to help ready them for the "real world". After each visit, I walk away with a renewed sense of gratitude for what I learned at MCAD and where that knowledge has taken me in my creative journey.

#mcad #makemcad #minneapolis college of art and design #alma mater #public speaking #pro tips #stuffed animals #dog toys #meleimakes #product design #mcad illustration #artist talk #professional practice #artists on tumblr

The Genesis

Despite the definition of genesis, this is actually the final post-graduation illustration relating to my senior thesis at MCAD. Inspired by bits of Egyptian mythology, this piece is about creation and life. Tears that fell upon the desert sand became bees, and subsequently, the bees sustained life.

#art #illustration #mythology #egyptian mythology #bee #bees #senior thesis #mcad #megan leitschuh #pastel #portrait #artists on tumblr

a sneak peek snippet of a sketch for an upcoming pastel(!!) illustration

hoo boy, that head full of braids will be fun (actually kind of looking forward to it-- repetition like this can be relaxing)

#art #illustration #sketch #wip #work in progress #meleimakes

a girl and her someone else’s dog

when I was 5, a family friend let me hold the leash of their german shepherd and I’m pretty sure that’s when I fell in love with them. This creature was so big in my eyes, like it was a furry dragon or something-- that’s how cool I thought it was.

and yes, my hair was nearly bleach blonde as a kid and I totally rocked the classic straight-across bangs of the 90s.