Meet Jayme Melescue | Illustrator & Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jayme Melescue and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jayme, what is the most important factor behind your success?
There are many different ways to define success. I resonate with the version of success that means a life of love, purpose, and happiness. I’m thankful to say that I’ve found that in many ways. The most important factor behind my success stems from all the way back home in Arkansas, where my family is. Their constant support for my goals, however small or large, fueled my pursuit of success in the arts and continues to uplift me. I think for anyone, having a tether to what really matters deep inside their chest will guide them towards success.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an illustrator and a writer about to start my senior year at Savannah College of Art and Design. My style for illustration has been developing since my childhood years, where I found my love for painting and fine art. It often mixed with my interest in earth and space sciences, so a lot of my work was (and is) inspired by the ocean, plants, clouds, and stars. It wasn’t until my senior year of high school that I entertained the idea of art becoming more than a hobby, when my art teacher sat me down and planted a little seed in my head. “Have you ever thought of attending art school?”

My time at SCAD has been thrilling. I’ve learned so much so quickly. I’d say the hardest skill to learn was how to work digitally. That transition was rough, but I’m thankful I got through it. The digital software isn’t a suggestion to learn in the illustration industry–it’s a must. Even if it’s as simple as adding an adjustment layer, or saving my work with metadata. It’s essential. Now, my favorite method of illustrating is painting with gouache, then scanning into Photoshop to refine, refine, refine. Other times, I’ll stick to acrylic paints, or go fully digital.

A lot of my heart lies in fine art, but I’ve found myself in illustration. I’ve always been and always will be a story teller. It’s fulfilling to take that passion and create something for someone, like a client or an audience, and have my work used for something greater than me. I hope to see my work in an interesting science textbook or a whimsical children’s book, both full of color and life.

The hardest challenge is getting over the mental obstacles. Within the past couple of years, I’ve seen how much I grow as an artist when I am pushed much farther than comfortable. I’m so thankful for the pressure refining me like a little diamond, but pushing through is as rewarding as it is exhausting.

To combat this, I find my tether. I call my family, I buy myself something pretty. I fill my spare time with hobbies, like playing sports and instruments. An evening walk does the trick most of the time. Anything to feel grounded, and to remind myself of my passion. Sometimes it’s just about going home over break, back to my family in Arkansas. It doesn’t take long before I start itching to pick up a brush and to just paint. It’s a relief to be reminded of that nagging feeling–that need to do art for arts sake. No matter how vulnerable and raw it becomes.

Whatever beast claws out of me when I paint, writing captures it and gives it a new home. I stick to short stories and poems. Most of the poems are songs that I sing while I strum my guitar, typically telling a story of love, loss, or loneliness. My short stories dabble in horror. They are inspired by my life, but twisted into something beyond reality. I think in many ways, writing puts light into the shadows. When I’m behind the keyboard, there’s nothing to be afraid of. A spider web in a dusty corner, a room with a broken light switch, it all becomes part of a complex story with a rather simple premise. The captured beast becomes my unreliable narrator, guiding a curious character through a vicious plot.

It’s a fragile ecosystem of push and pull, but I won’t deny that I love getting thrown into the chaos and seeing what comes out. I’m no less curious than the characters I write.

As a person, I’m incredibly full of light. There are never too many smiles to be shared, and I couldn’t be more blessed. Art has always been a form of expression for me, and turning this outlet into a profession is all I could ever ask for. It’s challenging, and freeing, and honest work that leaves me glowing from the inside out.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First thing that comes to mind are my two favorite cafes. Foxy Loxy is a must. They have amazing matcha latte’s and tacos. Gallery Espresso is next. Gallery has great drinks and delicious cakes and pastries. I often find myself walking over and getting a london fog and their sandwich of the day. While I wait for my order, I’ll look to the walls that are lined with fine art for sale made by a local Savannah artist.

For food and drinks, an all time fav is Tacos and Tequila on Habersham. My friends and I love tex mex. I find myself getting that sweet tea just about every time, and it never fails to reminds me of home.

For a little fancier meal, head to Little Duck Diner. They have a mix of brunch and dinner options that are so tasty.

City Market is almost always buzzing with life, and if I get hungry while buying pralines at the Savannah Candy Kitchen, Vinnie Van Go Go’s is right next door and has delicious pizza.

After shopping on Broughton and stopping by City Market, I’d head down to River Street and just take a walk (I love going on walks). Just be careful on those stairs.

Forsyth is especially lovely, and is probably my favorite part of town. The southern live oaks are so knobby and their limbs are so twisty. Savannah in the fall is as beautiful as it is haunted.

Go to a Savannah Banana’s game! They are full of funny dances, foam fingers, and ballpark dogs.

Lastly, a trip to Tybee Island seems like an obvious addition. Take a dive in the ocean and eat a packed lunch by the water. Or head to the restaurant Stingray’s and munch on their amazing shrimp tacos. I’d also stop by the little shops and buy some Tybee merch. Before heading home, go on a beach walk or head to the end of the peer to watch the sun set over the hotels and beach houses that line south beach, or to see the orange light glitter out onto the water.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my Shoutout to my friends who always find a way to send their love when I need it most– in the form of a good laugh, a good cry, or a good yap.

And to all my past professors for giving me glimmers of hope when I couldn’t have felt more at my wits ends, and pushing my work beyond what I thought I’d ever be capable of.

Lastly, I dedicate this to my lovely family. Mom and Dad, y’all are the most intelligent people I’ve ever met and I can’t thank you enough for the love you pour into me. Amber, you’re the best big sis ever and my built in best friend. I love you all so so much!

My sister’s first baby is on the way–Mom and Dad are soon to be grandparents and me an auntie–and I can’t wait to be home for the holidays to spend time with them in this new chapter of life.

Website: https://jaymemelescue.com

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