Melanie Kaye-Assemblage/Collage

Melanie Kaye

A lifelong artist, Melanie Kaye began her creative journey by earning a B.S. in Graphic Design from the University of Cincinnati and Charter Oak State College. Her professional career spanned decades in design and advertising, starting at a design studio in Cincinnati before joining advertising agencies in Indianapolis and later in Northern California, where she arrived in 1979. She transitioned to teaching design in 2002, a role she held until 2019. She then embarked on her third career, as an artist. Mediums include sculpture, collage, assemblage, acrylic, oil, and watercolor. Known for her fascination with the unusual—doll heads, well-loved tools, vintage bits, and castaway items—her work often reflects a love for the strange and forgotten. A member of the Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society and a collector of found objects, inspired by the stories these objects tell.
Her recent focus on acrylics and oil has allowed her to connect with her creative community to further refine her artistic voice and find her tribe. She loves being the student, and constantly learning. Additionally, she has contributed to preserving local history as a board member of the Mountain View Historical Association and as the author of a book on her own neighborhood’s history.
With numerous awards in art direction and advertising, Melanie continues to embrace her newest artistic journey with energy and curiosity.
Email: melanie@melanieink.com
Website: melanieink.com