Artist Melanie Stimmell Van Latum

08/29/2026

I’ve decided this is pretty much my entire decorating philosophy. 😂

I don’t particularly care if something is sensible, matches perfectly, or is what I’m supposed to put there.

Does it make me ridiculously happy?

Excellent. It can stay.

I feel the same way about collecting art. The pieces I love most are the ones that make a room feel more like you — a little stranger, prettier, more interesting, more magical.

Life is far too short for boring walls.

And if your house could use a maiden, a piglet, a peculiar little creature or two, an unreasonable amount of flowers, and perhaps a crown…
Hi. I think we’ve found each other. 🩷

That last line is my favorite part—it turns the whole carousel into a subtle “these are my people” post without asking anyone to buy anything.

Confidence: High—this feels very aligned with the playful, collector-forward direction of the carousel.

08/26/2026

For the collectors who always notice the creatures first.

You are my people. 💗

Keeper of Quiet Companions was created for my solo exhibition Virtues in Velvet & Crystal Crowns, and she holds two little chinchillas close while a tiny bird keeps watch from above.

I love giving creatures a place of importance in my paintings—not as decoration, but as companions with a presence and a place within the story.

And this one is filled with so many of the details I love to disappear into: the golden key, the heart, crystals, pearls, peonies, that long sweeping banner…and, of course, those two little faces. ✨

She is still available through .

Want a little more from inside the Court? 💌 Join my Collector Newsletter for first looks at new work, upcoming exhibitions, available paintings, and studio news — link in bio.

08/24/2026

What would you ask me to paint if the painting could be completely yours? ✨

One of my favorite things about creating commissions is that we get to dream them up together.

A beloved dog in the mountains.
A couple transported somewhere meaningful.
A portrait celebrating someone you love.
A tiny astronaut piglet. 🐷🌙
Or something wonderfully specific that could only belong to you.

You bring me the people, animals, memories and ideas that matter to you, we work together to develop the imagery, and then I turn it into a painting.

These are a few of my recent portrait commissions created through Park West Gallery, and I love seeing just how different each one becomes.

There are three commission sizes available, and my next online auction weekend with Park West begins September 4th.

If you’ve ever wondered what I might create from your story, this is your chance. 💗

Now I want to know: what would you have me paint?

Your best friend?

You as Greek Gods?

Your family Ranch?

Your little one in Rococo style?

Sa more traditional portrait?

A NASA pig?

Star Wars Theme?

A lovely Dream?

World travelers?

An aspiring teacher?

A young Goddess?

08/23/2026

Sometimes I know exactly who I’m painting before I begin. And sometimes…I just know her face.

This is one of those paintings.

Right now I’m building her slowly in soft pastel—layer by layer, color over color—and letting the rest of her world reveal itself as I work. I already know she’s going to be a little strange, a little beautiful, and very much at home in my world.

She’s being created for an upcoming exhibition with Poetic Tiger Gallery, and there is so much still to come around this face. 🌹

For now, I’m rather enjoying getting to know her.

Would you like to see more of her as she develops?

08/21/2026

I’m so happy to be part of Botanical Dreamscapes with Anthology Gallery 🌿✨

It’s such a beautiful group exhibition filled with imaginative, nature-inspired work, and I’m honored to have one of my paintings included.

The exhibition is online, so you can wander through the entire show from wherever you are — and it’s only on view through August 26.

If you love art, botanicals, and a little bit of dreaminess, definitely go have a look. 💕

Botanical Dreamscapes🌼🌹🌺🌷💐 showcases over 60 talented artists from around the world. On view until August 26, 2026

View Exhibition Online: https://anthologygallery.com/product-category/botanical-dreamscapes

Featured Artists:

aCowsTail
Alli Wolf .wolf
Amanda Skye
Anna Borachuk
Anna Wise .studio
Ashley Oberholtzer
C.M. Duffy .m.duffy
Caitlin Lamb Embroidery
Caitlin Olson
Cassia Davies luanovauk
Claire Natirbov
Clementine Zenner
Creations by Sam K
Cristian Cantilllo .art
Cyndi Dodes
Danny Gordo
Dany Paragouteva
Dimas Reyes
Elizabeth Bloom
Emily Johnson
Erica Penuela
Eva Boilley
Evangeline Poulos
Helena Moyer
Inna Voronova .voronov.art
Ioana Villatoro
Irene Raspollini
Julia DiBussolo
Kaitlin Beckett
Karenina Fabrizzi
Kat Hamilton
Kristen Thiemann
Lana
Lindsay Kayla Pearson / Lunalin
Lindsey Gann
Lisa Lennon
Liz Reyes
Lorra Ley lorra_ley
Madhura .in
Marie Grimm
Megan Emily Ely
Melissa Rothman
Michael de Vena
Natalie Bella
Oleksandra Kharchuk .kharchuk
Olivia Harks
Phoebe Dean .minded
Sandra Yagi
Sarah Berry
Shanfan Huang .huang
Shawn Marshall
Siyuan Ren
Stéphane Pannetier Le Hénaff
Suzanne Alicia Walsh
Svetlana Solovaya
Tessa Cotron .studio
Wild Catskills
Zoe Phillips

✨Get Exhibition + New Art Releases: https://anthologygallery.com/mailing-list/

*** Email notifications for a few artists are still on their way today