Visual Storyteller & Artist in LA LA Land:
Melissa Kojima is a visual storyteller living in Los Angeles, California. The more peculiar the story, the better. Fantastical creatures, vintage ladies, angel-faced children, and animals with human limbs populate her images. She exaggerates gestures and features, causing her audience to gasp or cackle. Everyday life in the Los Angeles area finds its way into her art. Peculiar folks she's spied in a crowd and the urban landscape abound in her illustrations.
Her work is strange and her journey to become an artist has been strange. After obtaining a B.A. in French, teaching English to French high schoolers and backpacking across Europe, Melissa finally decided to make art as a living. She boned up on her art skills at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, and schlepped her portfolio to various publishers, and galleries. A few of her exploits are detailed below.
Today, she grins from ear to ear because she makes a living doing what she loves best---DRAWING! She is very grateful for all the people who have helped her along this fantastical journey.
Education:
1999: Bachelor of Arts at University of Oregon, Eugene, OR in French.
2002-2003: 2 Semesters at Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA in Illustration.
Skills:
Painting: Acrylic, Watercolor
Drawing: Pen, Pencil, Brush
Software: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop
Exhibitions:
2007: 2nd City Council, Long Beach, CA. Group Show of This is Long Beach.
2007: Pharmaka Gallery, Los Angeles, CA. Group Show of Small Wonders III.
2007: James Cohan Gallery, New York City, NY. Visual AIDS: Postcard from the Edge Benefit Show.
2007: 2nd City Council, Long Beach, CA. Group Show of What's in the News.
2006: Sikkema Jenkins & Co Gallery, New York City, NY. Visual AIDS Postcard From the Edge Benefit Show.
2006: Museum of Latin American Art, Long Beach, CA. Group Show of Day of the Dead.
2004: Torrance Library, Torrance, CA. Group Show of Upcoming Children's Book Artists.
Illustration Work:
2007: "Kojima Campout 2007" Tee-shirt design. Collaboration with Joel Beckley.
2006: "Mad About Ballroom" logo illustration for owner Shelley Chang. www.madaboutballroom.com
2003: IPT Testing, children's text book illustrations for Ballard & Tighe Educational Publishers, Brea, CA.
1997: "Take Back the Night" tee-shirt and poster illustration for non-profit organization, Sexual Assault Support System, Eugene, OR.
Awards:
2003: Best Illustration for SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators) Fall Writers & Illustrator's Day, Southern California Tri-Region Chapter.
