Illustrator Melissa Kircher

Setting Sail is a mixed media illustration, mostly hand-drawn with some elements rendered on the computer. It deals with the journey from home. The places we inhabit are often comfortable and cozy, but in order to grow, we must leave in search of new horizons and adventure. It is the journey that makes us who we are. 

Melissa Kircher is a fine artist, illustrator, and writer who enjoys everything bold and beautiful. Her work has been exhibited in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York City. She is the author of four books, including The War Inside, The Gray Horizon and Dream On, novels for young adults, and the non-fiction book 99 Thoughts on Marriage and Ministry. She has worked for clients such as The New York Graphic Society, Relevant Magazine, Group Magazine and EBSCO Publishing. Melissa lives and works in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Wise Eyes - Owls are one of my favorite animals because they represent wisdom. This piece began as a doodle in my sketchbook and quickly became one of my favorite fierce and wise birds.

The Lines of the Landscape - This is an acrylic painting I did in response to the On Being podcast episode where Krista Tippet interviewed the late poet John O'Donohue. In the podcast, O'Donohue speaks beautifully about the importance of landscape for the soul. The outer landscape being the earth and the raw life and beauty found in nature that can heal and inspire unlike anything else and the inner landscape of our souls. He talked about the necessity of finding the raw beauty within. This piece was born out of that life-changing conversation.

Sean's Whale - Sean's Whale is my favorite painting to date because it holds such a special meaning for me, in that my son demanded I paint it. He was about two-years-old at the time and just beginning to understand that I could draw and paint thing—and he was obsessed with whales. "A blue whale, momma," was what he asked for. This piece was a labor of love and I hope he has it with him always.