Oh I'm so glad you're here!

I'm Mellissa, the face behind the logo. It is so wonderful to meet you!

When I'm not creating, you'll typically find me somewhere outside enjoying God's beautiful creations. My off-time usually consists of trail running and training for ultramarathons, spending time with my husband navigating the trails on our SxS, playing with the dogs, or exploring the area with the horses.

My husband and I stay pretty busy with our unofficial "zoo." We have welcomed rescues of many shapes and sizes into our home. Currently, we have 3 dogs, 2 cats, 2 goats, 2 horses (one of whom is a rescue), 5 goldfish, and one clownfish paired with coral. Although the fish weren't technically rescues, I like to think of them as retail rescues 😊.

About the Artist

Once Upon a Creation, LLC  began in January of 2018 with a simple request from a coworker: “Can you paint my dog?” What started as a favor quickly became a calling. Rooted in a deep love of animals, Mellissa discovered her gift for capturing the soul of a pet through their eyes — not just their likeness, but their personality, their spirit, the thing that made them them.

Over time, her art followed her life. Living in the northwoods of Wisconsin and growing passionate about white-tail deer hunting, her brush turned toward the wild — deer, black bears, owls, and the quiet beauty of the landscape she calls home.

Then came December 29, 2023. Her best buddy Tucker, a dog who was her constant companion, was tragically hit by a truck. The loss left her devastated and hopeless in ways she hadn’t known before.

But in the summer of 2024, hope found her again — in Christ, who met her in the depths of her despair and brought her back to life.

That rescue changed everything. And then, on May 4, 2025, God answered a two-year prayer: Mellissa welcomed her first horse, Blondie — a 19-year-old Palomino Quarter Horse — in a way that could only be described as the hand of God at work. With zero prior experience, she leaned into prayer, wisdom, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. What she discovered in horsemanship mirrored what she was learning in her faith: to lead like Jesus. To listen before you speak. To meet someone where they are and find a way to communicate that they can understand.

On April 20, 2026, she welcomed a 10-year-old gray Arabian mare rescued from a life of uncertainty, renamed from Sky to Angel, and greener than the pasture she arrived on. Through patience, positive reinforcement, and the Holy Spirit’s guidance, Angel has blossomed. She’s building confidence, accepting the saddle, and learning that she is safe, seen, and heard.

Mellissa has also discovered an unexpected passion: tension release and bodywork for horses — helping them develop body awareness and find a natural, relaxed state. Not forced. Not trained into submission. Genuinely at peace.

Horses will listen to the people who listen to them. That truth shows up in every piece Mellissa creates. Look closely at her paintings and sculptures — you’ll find horses with soft eyes and relaxed posture, animals acknowledging one another, creatures who know they are seen.

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you...”
— Job 12:7

That is the heartbeat of Once Upon a Creation: that every person who feels lost, broken, or unheard might encounter something here that encourages and reminds them — you are not alone. You are seen. You matter.

Mission:

To create faith-inspired art that encourages and uplifts the lost, broken, or unheard.

Vision:

To build a community where faith-inspired art reminds every lost, broken, or unheard soul that they are seen, loved, and worthy of the hope and healing God designed for them through the gift of Jesus Christ.

Values

FAITH

I believe Jesus Christ died for our sins and paid our pardon. I believe He is the sole path to life everlasting, and I deeply value a personal relationship with Him. (Matthew 7)

QUALITY

I believe in doing things right — even when that takes longer than expected. Every original piece is crafted with care and intention, and every merchandise item is sampled and tested to ensure it meets my standards before it ever reaches you.

INTEGRITY

I believe in the power of humility and laying down pride. If I make a mistake, you will know. No excuses, no runaround — just honesty and a commitment to make it right.

ENCOURAGEMENT

The world can feel dark. It is my goal and my calling to let the light of Jesus shine through me and bring encouragement into the lives of others — one piece of art at a time.

About the mediums I use:

Welded Scrap Metal Sculptures

I use recycled steel — pieces that were once considered trash — to create one-of-a-kind sculptures of plants and animals. More recently, my work has been shifting into the equine world as my love for horses deepens.

Working with scrap metal takes patience: cleaning off the grime, grinding away the rust, and creating something beautiful out of what was discarded. It mirrors how Christ cleanses us from our old self and makes us a new creation when we choose to follow Him. For both, it's a process worth every moment.

Note: My roses are the only sculptures made with new, locally sourced metal. All other sculptures are one-of-a-kind originals — steel that was once trash, now redeemed.

Fun Fact: I often collect scrap metal along the road while training for ultramarathons — and yes, I carry it home in my hydration pack! 😄

Watercolor Paintings

What I treasure most is watching the water move across the paper, using loose brushstrokes to express a message or capture simple, meaningful details. Watercolor is my primary medium — it's where my heart lives. I will work in acrylic by request, but watercolor is always my preference.

Alcohol Ink Paintings

If you thought watercolor was difficult, alcohol ink is a whole new level — and I love it for exactly that reason. It dries incredibly fast and does what it wants. I use a dripper to place the ink on synthetic paper, then guide it with a hand tool, letting the colors move and bloom in ways that are never fully predictable. The results are always vibrant and deeply satisfying to create. This is a beautiful option for abstract pet portraits.

Acrylic Paintings

On occasion I create with acrylic paint. Available by request.

Oil Paintings

This is where my painting journey began — studying oil paints at UW-L. Oil is exceptional for blending and slow, layered work, which is why I now reserve it exclusively for vintage hand saws and cabinet doors, where it holds up best. Because oil can take up to a week to dry per layer, lead times for oil pieces are significantly longer — we're talking months. Every layer is worth the wait.

If any of these mediums speak to you, I'd love to hear from you — whether you're looking for your next original piece, a heartfelt gift, or simply have questions as a fellow artist. I'm here and happy to help!

Custom Art Request