A native of Kansas City, MO, Melissa McCracken graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from William Jewell College in 2013, but ultimately pursued a career in the arts post-graduation. In 2019, she relocated to Brooklyn, New York to expand her work in synesthesia, a unique neurological condition allowing her to see colors in the sounds she hears. Many of her paintings incorporate vibrant colors and lively textures to depict the movement of music.

Implementing the effects of both palette knives and brushwork, McCracken seeks to convey the swirl of colors embedded deep in her mind’s eye. Layered blossoms of color and streaks of white create cosmic-like scenes, evoking new perceptions of melody and rhythm in her audience. Through her work, Melissa strives to unmask the elusive areas of the world we encounter, allowing a refreshing experience of the familiar.

McCracken’s work has been featured in numerous publications including; MTV news, DIY magazine, NPR Fresh Air, VICE Broadly, CNN’s Great Big Story, Oprah Magazine and Bored Panda. Melissa has also been a featured speaker at TEDxLafayette College in 2016, and TEDxUNC in 2018.