In the quiet of a pandemic lockdown, Melissa Rivers, a woman with a mapmaker’s precision and an artist’s soul, experienced a transformation. And what began as a rediscovery of forgotten materials soon blossomed into a captivating artistic journey…
Carlee Wright
Artist Melissa Rivers
Melissa isn’t your typical artist. She didn’t go to art school, nor did she follow an expected route to creativity. “My first love is fiber arts,” she said, recalling her childhood spent sewing, knitting, and embroidering. But her career took a different turn. Trained in geography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), she worked as a cartographer. Her professional life veered further from the creative as she found herself immersed in operations, data audits, and tech management. “I was doing everything but creative work.”
As with so many artists, the pull of creativity was inevitable. “I hit a point, especially during the pandemic, where I was just so missing the creative,” said Melissa. With limited access to certain materials, she began to dig through old supplies. Buried deep in her closet, these forgotten scraps became the medium for a new artistic vision: collage.
“I just started playing around with collage. And I fell in love. That kind of started everything,” she said. What was initially a solitary, personal exploration soon turned into a shared experience as Melissa began posting her work online. She quickly connected with other like-minded souls, drawn together by the same passion for making art in the margins of life. What started as a small, quiet pursuit became a creative movement.
Melissa’s approach to collage is both intuitive and deeply meaningful. She has a keen ability to turn commercial imagery into something unexpected, even subversive. "The bulk of the really great images are actually very commercial," she said, citing publications like Life and Work magazines. The result is a juxtaposition of old-world propriety with modern, sometimes provocative, undertones. By taking what was once part of a polished, controlled narrative and altering it, Melissa creates art that challenges our assumptions about both the medium and the messages we consume.
Melissa Rivers Artwork
For Melissa, it’s not just about the materials but the process itself. She sources images from antique shops, garage sales, and even trades with collectors. “I’m always looking for new magazines. New images to work with,” she said. Her ongoing search reflects her commitment to evolving her craft. "I'm always trying to push the boundaries a little bit," she adds, seeking out more niche magazines from the '50s and '60s to add a fresh layer of visual language to her pieces.
Despite the success, Melissa remains grounded, focused on the joy of the process. “I like to experiment and just see what works,” she said. "If it feels good, I just go with it." Her philosophy is simple: choose the fun.
In addition to her art, Melissa also cares for two young children, ages two and four. Their boundless creativity has become another source of inspiration for her work. “They’re so silly and so fun,” Melissa said. "They inspired a sticker and a t-shirt because they love dinosaurs."
Though her future goals are modest—expanding her body of work, showing in more art exhibitions, and perhaps placing some pieces in local shops—there is no mistaking Melissa’s passion for her craft. The dream of a solo exhibition and being signed by a gallery remain at the top of her list, though she’s clear about what success means for her: the freedom to create.
Ultimately, Melissa’s journey into collage reflects her ability to reinvent herself—a mapmaker who now charts the world of creativity.
Favorite Tools
I have a favorite pair of scissors. A small set of Fiskers garden pruners. The sharp blade and spring cushioned handles make it easy to cut smaller shapes out of delicate paper. They are great when doing a lot of cutting because they are easy on my hands. I use a variety of hobby knives, but an OLFA size 12 blade is my preferred. They are super sharp and require less pressure. Putting a lot of pressure on 70-year-old paper can lead to disaster. I use a lot of glues and mediums, but my go-to is Yes Paste. It’s archival and easy to use. I like to wet a brush and work the water into the glue until it gets to the desired consistency.
This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 23 ( Spring 2025)