Raised in Fredericksburg, Melissa Starry has always been influenced by the beauty of the Texas Hill Country, the cultures of Germany and Mexico, photography, art, music and the love of people.  For 19 years in Austin, San Antonio, Houston and Louisiana, she combined a hairstyling career with portrait photography nurtured by a lifelong interest in painting & sculpting.

In 1988, she and her husband moved back to Melissa’s hometown of Fredericksburg to raise their 2 year old daughter, Sarah, while she continued her career.  In 1998, friend & mentor, Wayne Porter, convinced Melissa to pick up a paintbrush and she began to learn with fervor.  In December of 2000, painting and photography became full-time addictions, each lending itself to the other.  Contrasts and narratives are found in her works.

Melissa is a member of the Fredericksburg Art Guild, Die Künstler Von Fredericksburg, the Kerrville Art Club, the Kerrville Arts & Cultural Center and the Hill Country Arts Foundation.  She owns and operates Starry’s Studio, a portrait photography studio.  She has also been employed as assistant to internationally known artist, Joyce Combs.  Melissa’s works can be found at the Fredericksburg Art Guild, Artisans at Rocky Hill, Hill Country Memorial Hospital and in private collections.

Recent accomplishments in 2005 include a Best of Show Award for her mixed media painting “The Light” in the “Red Alert” juried show at the Hill Country Arts Foundation.  Melissa also earned a First Place Award in photography for her C-print, “Millennium Moment” in the Counterpoint National Juried Show, at HCAF in Ingram.