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"Melanie Florio, a Los Angeles-based artist born in 1983, discovered her love for painting under teacher Lela Harty, earning both her BFA and MFA in Drawing and Painting from the Laguna College of Art and Design. She defied advice from one of her more influential professors to avoid painting smiling people, choosing whimsy over seriousness. That rejection of the standard for classical realism in the melting pot that is art culture in the 2000’s became the backbone of her exploration into the quirky world that she loves to paint. Her laughter is the heartbeat of the work she enjoys creating.

Melanie is currently a mother of 2 and that fuels her interest in illustrating children's books, including 'Kip Dreams Big, An Ocean Adventure.' Currently, she engages in custom commissions, teaches, and is also represented by Lovettes Gallery in Tulsa, Oklahoma."

Born in 1983, Los Angeles-based artist Melanie Florio found her artistic passion under teacher Lela Harty, earning both her BFA and MFA in Drawing and Painting from the Laguna College of Art and Design. Defying advice to avoid smiling subjects, Melanie embraced whimsy over seriousness, shaping her exploration into a quirky world that echoes with laughter, the heartbeat of her creations.

Now a mother of two, Melanie channels her maternal inspiration into illustrating children's books, such as 'Kip Dreams Big, An Ocean Adventure.' Beyond motherhood, she actively takes on custom commissions, teaches, and is represented by Lovettes Gallery in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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