Meet Trailblazer Melanie Burgess

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Burgess.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Melanie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always loved art. I was incredibly shy and quiet as a kid, so drawing was my happy place where I could express my emotions without words. When high school came around, my appreciation and need for creating became stronger and stronger. We all know high school can be an awkward and painful time, so when life threw some tough stuff at me, art was my outlet, my therapy, a way to wash my soul. Those four years grew a passion in me to create a life filled with art. I wasn’t sure what that looked like. I went to college and got a bachelor’s degree with the hopes of going in the direction of being an art therapist. I believe wholeheartedly in the healing art brings and I want my life to reflect that, but most importantly, I want others to experience the healing too. I decided more school wasn’t the right direction for me at the time, so I started dreaming up a little business. It took time, a whole lot of prayers, and a lot of changes throughout the process to realize what I really wanted the business to be. I started with only graphite drawings. I drew tattoo designs, wedding bouquets, and all things floral.

Nature is another huge joy in my life, especially botanical, so most of my work reflects that passion as well. After creating a business with my graphite drawings for a few years, my husband and I dreamed up Flora & Marz Collective. So that’s where we are today. I do all the art and design and my husband helps me with the business side of things because I am definitely not talented in that area. He is my biggest supporter and cheerleader. I am so incredibly grateful for his role in Flora & Marz Collective. You might see some handmade leather products made by him in our online shop in the near future. As we developed Flora & Marz Co, I started block printing so I could print my drawings on clothing and other things. Block printing is a carving and impression process, kind of like a stamp. I am sure there will be many more changes as time goes on.

Great, 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?
I am not sure these endeavors are ever a smooth road, but that’s the exciting part, right? This is a tough question because I cannot say that I have made it or that I have completed the “journey.” Creating a business or trying to make it as an artist is truly a never-ending road. There is always room for growth and change and I believe growing and changing should be a continuous process that does not end. Therefore the road to a dream does not really end either. And I am so glad.

As for struggles, there are a million little things that can go wrong or be discouraging, but the biggest struggle for me has been myself. Art is vulnerable. Creating a business is vulnerable. There is nothing more terrifying than sharing art because it bears the artist’s soul and screams their heart. Starting a business is terrifying. It’s someone’s dream and it is really scary to think about those dreams and passions not being received well when shared with others. Social media is amazing for small businesses and I am so incredibly grateful for the connections it has brought me, but social media is also one of the most prominent ways of feeding the struggle of vulnerability. People can be mean and judgmental. Putting yourself out there is difficult and there will always be people who want to see you fail. It is a sad reality, but we can rejoice in the fact that ten times more people want to see us succeed. It is so important to block out the negativity. And even more importantly, we need to support each other and cheer on our dreams. Especially as women, we need to be the light. We need to encourage each other and pick each other up when the road is not smooth because trust me, the road will be bumpy. But that’s the beauty of it all. We grow stronger together, we fail together, and we succeed together. The road is so much more beautiful (and fun) when we travel together rather than make it a race. So yes, I, myself, have been my biggest struggle because only I can make the decision to share my heart and to support those around me who are on the same road.

Also, don’t be afraid to let people help you. My husband has been an essential part of this business and I would not have it any other way. Just because you have some help does not mean you are less of a woman. On the contrary, actually. Strong women know when certain tasks need to be handed over to someone else and strong women see the talent in other humans that could be an incredible addition to their own business or art. The help from my husband pushes me closer to success and I am no less a woman for seeking that guidance and help. Can we women do it solo? Totally! And if that’s your thing, then go for it! I believe in you wholeheartedly. But for me, I thrive on having someone else’s eyes to see through, someone to help me see more clearly, to pick me up on the day’s discouragement creeps in. Whatever your jam, whether totally independent or maybe with a few others, believe in it with your whole being and you will see success.

We’d love to hear more about Flora & Marz Collective.
I started with graphite drawings. Graphite will forever be my first love. I focus mainly on drawing florals. I also have a deep love for anatomy and find bones incredibly intriguing and intricate. I often mix my love for florals and bones to create an interesting contrast between life and death. I think creation is incredible and the way our bodies are put together blows my mind. I want my work to reflect what I love and am passionate about in life. I started out drawing tattoo designs and wedding bouquets as well as selling prints. Graphite drawing is beautiful, but I wanted to provide more products that could be used on a daily basis. Because of this desire, I started block printing. Block printing is a carving and impression process. I begin by hand drawing my design and then I carve it into a rubber-like block. I then apply ink to the carving and I can print on almost anything. I love printing on clothing.

This sets me apart from other printers because block printing is a unique way of printing on clothing and most printers choose a different printing process. I chose block printing because I love that if someone asks about a t-shirt I designed, the owner can say that the design was carved out. I just think that’s so cool and unique. I also think block printing adds a very artistic element because the design is hand-drawn, hand-carved, and hand stamped and pulled. Each print slightly varies based on pressure and placement, providing even more uniqueness to each print. I also show a lot of the process on Instagram, which is unique, fun, and sets my work apart because I am not just showing a finished piece or project. Instead, I show the process of how the finished piece came to life.

Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
I was incredibly shy as a kid and words never came easily to me. Creating provided me with an outlet, a way to express my feelings and process difficult parts of life without the anxiety of needing to verbalize the painful stuff. This really stuck with me and formed my passion for art. I am a firm believer in the therapeutic benefits of art and my story of growing up is proof of that. Art got me through some of my toughest days and for that, I am ever grateful. The hard experiences are what push me forward and keep me creating. Because without art, I don’t have the slightest clue what I would do with all that heavy. It is truly a gift.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.floraandmarzco.com
• Email: floraandmarzco@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/floraandmarzco

Image Credit:
Samuel Marz Photography

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