Life & Work with Melodia Patterson of Ward Colorado

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melodia Patterson.

Hi Melodia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am an artist, maker, and mother living in the mountains above Boulder, Colorado. My journey with art began early in life, but I fully committed to painting in 2012. Soon after, I studied classical techniques with visionary artist Philip Rubinov Jacobson, attending Old Masters New Visions seminars in Vienna, Ubud, and Boulder. Learning the mische technique — layering egg tempera beneath translucent oil glazes — deeply shaped my style and is still a process I implement in my work today.

Over time, my creative practice has expanded across mediums. I paint imaginative landscapes, botanical studies, portraits, and abstract pieces, and I also create linocut prints and ceramic works. I’ve always allowed my art to evolve naturally rather than confining myself to one genre. I love exploring, experimenting, and finding new ways to express energy, emotion, and light.

Alongside my fine art, I founded Namaste Home, a handmade, sustainability-focused brand born from my love of aromatherapy, ritual, and design. Working off-grid with solar energy, I create soy candles, soaps, herbal body products, and home essentials using recycled and biodegradable materials whenever possible. Each product is infused with my artwork or creative touch, blending my visual art practice with the everyday magic of the home.

The natural world around me — the aspens, wildlife, and changing seasons of Colorado — shapes so much of my inspiration. At the heart of everything I make is a simple mission: to inspire and be inspired, and to offer people a sense of beauty, calm, and connection through art.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like many artists, I’ve had to navigate the tension between pursuing a creative life and making a stable living. Selling original paintings alone can be unpredictable — there are seasons of abundance and seasons of quiet. One of my biggest challenges has been finding ways to support myself financially without stepping away from creativity. That’s actually how my candle and home goods business began. It allowed me to supplement my income in a way that still felt aligned with who I am, something handmade, intentional, and artistic. But building that business from the ground up came with its own learning curve.

Balancing the artistic side of my life with the operational realities of running a product-based business — sourcing materials, production, pricing, packaging, marketing — has required a lot of trial and error. As a mother and a small business owner, I’ve had to learn how to juggle multiple roles, often simultaneously, and sometimes imperfectly.

Another challenge has been trusting my own evolution as an artist. I work across mediums and have never fit neatly into one category, and for a long time I felt pressure to choose a lane or present a single, consistent style. Learning to embrace the fluidity of my creativity instead of resisting it has been liberating.

And living off-grid adds a layer most businesses don’t face. I rely on solar power to melt wax, so even something as simple as a stretch of cloudy days can interrupt production or force me to adjust on the fly. These environmental challenges have pushed me to become adaptable and resourceful in ways I never expected.

There have been moments of burnout and moments of doubt, but each obstacle has taught me resilience, flexibility, and a deeper trust in my path. When I look back, the challenging parts of the journey are the ones that shaped me the most.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an artist and creator whose work sits at the intersection of fine art, nature, and handcrafted living. My main focus is oil painting, where I’m drawn to building depth, light, and atmosphere through slow, layered processes.

Alongside my paintings, I’ve developed a line of handmade candles and home goods through my brand, Namaste Home, with an emphasis on sustainability — an aspect of my work that feels as important as the creative part.

I think what sets me apart is the way my art and products share a common intention: to create objects that bring a sense of warmth, peace, or inspiration into someone’s space. Whether it’s a candle or a canvas, I’m always trying to offer something that feels personal, thoughtful, and infused with a little soul.

I’m most proud of building a creative life that reflects who I am — not confined to one lane, but woven together through craftsmanship, and a genuine love of making things by hand.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
People sometimes assume I’m very extroverted because my work is expressive, colorful, and energetic. But in reality, I’m pretty introverted, and most of my creative breakthroughs come from solitude.

Also, many people probably don’t realize how many mediums I work in until they visit my studio. There’s usually a linocut in progress next to an oil painting in the works, next to a batch of candles cooling. I think the biggest surprise is that my creative flow often involves all these things happening at once.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://NamasteHomeProducts.com
• Instagram: @MelodiaArt
• Other: https://MelodiaGallery.com