About
Influenced by my love of the natural world and desire to help others, I was motivated to get a Master of Science in Biomedical Visualization. After obtaining my degree, I started working at the National Institutes of Health, where I created graphics for publications, in-house marketing materials, and research — including this animation that was shown to baby monkeys to study their behavioral responses. I enjoy working with scientists because their enthusiasm is infectious.
I created biomedical art at Hybrid Medical Animation for more than three years. Working both independently and with the team, I brought client visions from ideas and sketches to final illustrations and animations, such as creating for the Mayo Clinic the storyboards and animation on how a C-section is performed. My other duties included project research, pre-production management, texture painting, compositing, and polishing final graphics. I also served as a representative for the company at events and went out to meet customers.
After Hybrid, I expanded and led a team of six art directors at Fantasy Flight Games. I oversaw department scheduling, maintained provided budgets, served as a liaison within and outside the company, and reviewed the visual merits of products before publication. Alongside my managerial duties, I directed the team and freelancers in the development of art for several Triple-A products. I especially enjoyed designing game component art, such as this hiker meeple for the board game Discover: Lands Unknown.
Today, I’m using all my experiences to mentor students and screen print at Highpoint Center for Printmaking. I am also available for portfolio reviews as well as moderating and speaking on panels.
When I'm not in the studio drawing, designing, or screen printing, you can find me snuggling with my orange cat (Caspian), volunteering within the community, playing board and video games, hiking through prairies and forests, dinking a pickleball, or planning my next trip. I’m always gathering new moments of place and memory to bring back into her work.
Clients: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Northcountry Cooperative Foundation, DISPATCH MSP, Gamut Gallery, Hybrid Medical Animation, and Versare
Exhibitions
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
July - Nov 2025 Traces of Light: Impressions of France; Highpoint Center for Printmaking, Threshold Gallery; Minneapolis, MN
April - May 2024 L’Étranger: The Outsider’s Gaze; Alliance Française, Vaaler Gallery; Minneapolis, MN
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
Sept 2025 MPLSART20th Anniversary; MPLSART and Southside Preservation Society; Minneapolis, MN
Aug 2025 Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Show; Falcon Heights, MN
April 2025 The Fool’s Journey: ATarot Art Exhibition; The Otherworldly Arts Collective,ALTR Gallery; Minneapolis, MN
Feb 2025 Safeword; The Otherworldly Arts Collective,ALTR Gallery; Minneapolis, MN
Dec 2024 - Jan 2025 Prints on Ice; Highpoint Center for Printmaking, Main Gallery; Minneapolis, MN
July - Sept 2024 Hot off the Press; Highpoint Center for Printmaking, Main Gallery; Minneapolis, MN
May - June 2024 Collect Call 5; SooVAC; Minneapolis, MN
Feb 2024 Safeword; The Otherworldly Arts Collective,ALTR Gallery; Minneapolis, MN
Dec 2023 - Jan 2024 Raging Art On; Gamut Gallery; Minneapolis, MN
July - Sept 2023 Hot off the Press; Highpoint Center for Printmaking, Main Gallery; Minneapolis, MN
Feb 2023 Safeword; The Otherworldly Arts Collective,ALTR Gallery; Minneapolis, MN
Dec 2022 - Jan 2023 Prints on Ice; Highpoint Center for Printmaking, Main Gallery; Minneapolis, MN
Sept 2022 Posters for Parks; Minneapolis Parks Foundation and LoveMPLSParks; Minneapolis, MN
July - Sept 2022 Hot off the Press; Highpoint Center for Printmaking, Main Gallery; Minneapolis, MN
June 2022 Unicorn Art Show; The Otherworldly Arts Collective,ALTR Gallery; Minneapolis, MN
April 2022 MPLSART 2021 Sketchbook; Gamut Gallery; Minneapolis, MN
Sept 2021 ARTCRANK; Minneapolis, MN
June - July 2021 The Tomb; Light Grey Art Lab; Minneapolis, MN
Oct 2020 Posters for Parks; Minneapolis Parks Foundation and LoveMPLSParks; Minneapolis, MN
March - April 2020 From Us; Gamut Gallery; Minneapolis, MN
Don’t be a stranger!
To inquire about collaborations, illustrations, or print work, please fill out the form on the right, or email me at melissa.lee.sisk@gmail.com
Designing and Dreaming out of Minneapolis, Minnesota