“Golden Soulful is the energy of remembering who we truly are.”
Melissa Jessell
is an award-winning artist who helps to reveal the Golden Soul within, every day.
“I am an artist who believes deeply in the moment of recognition evoked through the dance of light across an object. I remember and feel that uncanny sense of ‘oh, I’ve seen this before,’ and honor this as a light-encoded message for all to see.”
“Much of my art is inspired by remembering altered states of consciousness and other worlds embedded within the mundane. I am honored to serve as an energy worker, ICF accredited coach, and plant medicine guide, holding space for others experiencing similar processes of healing and transformation.”
Exhibitions
Coming Into Presence: The Return @ Wild Geese Gallery, NYC, June–July 2023
Coming Into Presence: Season of Love @ Wild Geese Gallery, NYC, 2022–2023
SHEDC, SHOP MADE DC @ La Cosecha, Washington, DC, 2022
Window Display at Tysons Corner Shopping Center, Tysons Corner, VA, 2021
Holiday Show @ The Torpedo Factory, Alexandria, VA, 2020–2021
Women in the Arts, Room 2~ Artist as Mother :: Artist Mothers, Latela Curatorial, Washington, DC and ARTSY, Worldwide 2020
New Juried Artist Exhibition, Torpedo Factory Artist Association @ Mosaic, Fairfax, VA, 2020
Covid-19 Art Fair, Latela Curatorial, Washington, DC 2020
-SPHERES, Industrious, Bethesda, MD, 2020
SHEDC, Shop Made in DC, Washington, DC, 2020
Spiritual Wanderlust, Latela Curatorial Art Gallery, Washington, DC 2019
Untitled solo show, Tryst DC, Washington, DC, 2019
1460 WALLMOUNTABLES 2016, District of Columbia Arts Center, Washington, DC, 2016
Push / Pull, Arnold and Sheila Aronson Gallery, Parsons School of Design, New York, NY, 2015
Talking Culture, Auckland Festival of Photography, Auckland, New Zealand, 2015
hyphen, Tyler School of Art, Temple University, PA, 2015
Photoville Photo Festival, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, NY, 2014
Future Projections, Auckland Festival of Photography, Auckland, New Zealand, 2014
Nine Five One - Collaborative Exchange, Memphis, TN, 2014
Made in China, The Firehouse Space, Brooklyn, NY, 2014
Photoville Photo Festival, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, NY, 2013
Pingyao International Photo Festival, Pingyao, China, 2013
Parsons The New School of Design, Open Studios, 7 between 2013 - 2015
Awards, Honors, & Publications
Book Cover, Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness, Renée Fleming, 2024
Image Editor & Publishing Editor, Melissa’s Wild Animals, Irene Preston, 2023
Featured Artist, The Washington Post, 2019
Excellent Emerging Photography Award, Pingyao International Photography Festival, China, 2013
Capturing Stillness in the Chaos, Melissa Preston Jessell, Art of the Journey, 2016
The Beauty of Inescapable Change, Contributions from Melissa Preston, Heart Inspiration, Princella Talley, 2016
Fall & Winter Alumni Spotlight Artist, Collegiate School, Richmond, VA, 2014 – 2015
The Lucie Foundation Fresh Look, Selected Juried Portfolio Review, 2012
The Accolade Honorable Mention, Quantum Entertainment, Starving Artists, Director of Photography, Miami, FL, 2007
A-Peeling Relationship, Collaborative, Miami 12 hour Film Race, 3rd Runner Up, Miami, FL, 2007
Education & Associations
Photography
Torpedo Factory Artists Association, Member, 2020–present
Parsons School of Design | The New School, MFA in Photography, 2015
University of Miami, Bachelor of Science in Communications and Bachelor of the Arts in Theater Arts, 2007
UCLA Extension Program, Photography Courses with Scott Stulberg & George Simian, 2009 & 2013
Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (FAMU), 2005
Coaching
International Coaching Federation, Member, 2023–present
Certified Master Transformational Energy Coach, 200+ Hours, With Heart Coaching by Natalie Ehmka, 2022
Certificate in Energetic Transformation, Natalie Ehmka, 2023
Kundalini Yoga for Chakras, Continuing Education Course, 2023
Reiki Level One, 2021
Sound Meditation Healing Course, with Dante Baker, 2019
Yoga Teacher Training, 200-Hour, Flow Yoga Studio, Washington, DC, 2019
Teaching & Collaborations
Collaborating Artist and NY Co-Director, Collaborative Exchange, Memphis, TN, 2014
Co-Producer, Authorship in The Digital Age with Lev Manovich, Richard Chused, Jamie Wilkinson, & David Senior, Panel, New York, NY, 2014
Art Teacher, Art Brains (after school program), Bethesda, MD, 2017
Assistant Art Teacher, Art Brains (after school program), Washington, DC, 2016
Teaching Artist, Paint Nite LLC, Washington, DC 2015-2016
Artist Assistant to Jim Ramer, Director of Parsons MFA Photography Program, 2014-2015
Artist Assistant to Neil Goldberg, New York, NY 2014
Portrait Photographer, A Morning for You (fundraising events), Falls Church, VA, 2016
Technical Assistant, Parsons School of Design, Equipment Resource Center, New York, NY, 2014-2015
Film & TV Production
America’s Funniest Home Videos, Production Coordinator, Los Angeles, 2012-2013
Emmy-Winning Documentary, Growing up Strong: Girls on The Run, Heartfelt Productions, 2nd Camera Videographer, Chicago, IL, 2013
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Script Coordinator (Promoted), Los Angeles, 2007-2012
Broken Lizard’s The Slammin’ Salmon, Production Assistant, Los Angeles, 2007/2008
New Line Cinema’s Pride and Glory, Office Production Assistant, Los Angeles, 2007
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Super Bowl Special, Miami, 2007
QuantUM Entertainment Shorts, Director of Photography, Miami, 2007
QuantUM Entertainment Shorts, Director, Miami, 2006