Melissa Mann Bean has been an art director, photographer and professor for different companies and colleges. She currently creates mixed media pieces – using her own photographs from a huge personal library, paint, found objects, nature and paper items – on wood and canvas. She owned a photography business for 14 years that specialized in weddings, portraits and commercial work for companies. Her work has been printed commercially in USA Today for The Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Pizza Today (as the art director and traveling photographer of all things pizza), and Business First (as editorial designer). Art retreats for other female artists help her soul and thriving art ideas. She collects antique books, stuff that should be recycled, reusable surfaces (windows, wood, canvases) and funky pieces of art and furniture. Melissa lives with her husband, kids and crazy dog in a 110+ year old farmhouse in the heart of Louisville, Kentucky.