Welcome. I'm Melissa. I was raised in a family setting with self-taught folk artists and carry the torch for woman in art.  I'm proud of my Pennsylvania Dutch (German) heritage and the under-appreciated legacy that my mom's folk art studio practice created : she did instill 'to be an artist is to believe in life.'  Together we hold 70 years in studio art practice that is woman-based.  I studied experimental printmaking with masters at UCL, Slade School with a first Printmaking, Masters of Art in 1995.  I love holding or participating in printmaking workshops.   I'm a multi-faceted artist; intaglio printmaker, painter, sculptress and new author to Everyday Art, Folk Art.  Works on Paper are in private collections throughout the USA and abroad.  My love for gardens and landscape create inspirational places for my outdoor sculpture works that are hand-forged within Bertoia Studio.  I run two etching printmaking presses and manage two studio art practices in Bally and Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania.   Thank you for stopping by to value that art is the change.  Your support for local artists, like me, truly empowers a difference.  Find my works in shops for small local businesses in Lititz, Sinking Spring and Emmaus.  Join us for our exclusive evites and studio updates.