narrative
Be Like a Perennial
About Me
My name is Melissa Hernandez, known artistically as Melissa Allegories. I am constructing a fictitious world to communicate secular, ethical, and logical principles through storytelling arts. Born and raised in Brooklyn with Dominican roots and currently residing in Sunrise, Florida since 1995, I blend creative writing with allegorical visual representations, emphasizing profound ideas and concepts. As the Founder of Smile Sweet Sunflower LLC, I fuse the visual arts and literature, inviting exploration into a world where philosophical ideas come alive.
The general concept of my work, Eudaimonia, focuses on a blooming theme that embodies personal growth and societal transformation. I enjoy using acrylic paint on top of Lefranc Bourgeois Flashe Vinyl Paint, infusing it with a soft, vibrant color palette and repetitive strokes and patterns inspired by Ulrich von Pottenstein, a medieval author and cleric from Austria. As opposed to nature versus nurture, my work emphasizes our relationship with the air, land, and sea as an interaction between nature and nurture: a willingness and consensus between biological and environmental factors to sustain life! A balanced and harmonious relationship with the natural world is an essential element for human flourishing in the concrete world, which is influenced by our conceptual worlds and vice versa.
Little Space, Little Time, Little Resources—BIG Ideas
I think that some people need to be dreamers to give others hope. Otherwise, we will all just be Les Misérables. I’ve previously used the Bamboo Tree analogy to describe my hopes for physical, intellectual, emotional, social, vocational, financial, and environmental prosperity, but I didn’t know it wasn’t an actual tree. It’s actually grass!
People say the beginning of any endeavor is always the hardest. I hope that’s true. When life hits hard, it can make us feel like we haven’t done enough. So much has happened since September 2023 that everything before then feels like a blur. 2024 has been incredibly overwhelming and challenging, making it easy to forget the rewards along the way.
Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Growth
Growth comes at a cost. I broke the bank and burned holes in my pockets; nevertheless, here are moments to remember:
- Wrote the first five segments of the introduction chapter of Lében.
- Completed 30 illustrative paintings in 3 different sizes. Each illustration, from the smallest detail to the medium-sized compositions, told a story of dedication and resilience—after a long period of stagnation.
- Designed a temporary website page with complementary materials: text, video/audio, and other resources for participants.
- Created an additional six 6 in x 6 in artworks, donated to the Coral Springs Museum of Art for their exhibition/fundraiser “Empty Walls,” totaling 36 pieces of three different sizes: minuscules, small, and medium works of art.
- Hosted Moonrise 2024 at the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens to support HANDY, Inc. (Helping Abused Neglected Disadvantaged Youth).
- Thanks to the support of H.O.M.E.S., Inc. (Housing Opportunities, Mortgage Assistance, & Effective Neighborhood Solutions, Inc.), Art 13 (which promotes, curates, develops, and empowers the rising art trend and beyond), and Vicki Rosenthal Art (advancing advocacy through authentic art), I had the opportunity to leave my creative mark on a mural, “Beyond The Canvas.”
- Graciously presented with a stipend check of $100 USD by Mr. Mark Miller, ART13 Sponsor, and President of Action for Literacy. Moreover, rewarded with an Honorable Mention Ribbon by Frank Polanco, creator of ART13.
- Designed, wrote, and curated my first solo exhibition, which ran for four months at the Sunrise Dan Pearl Library as their inaugural exhibition. The event was supported by the Broward County Cultural Division, Kristen Cole Morrison (the library manager), and Jermaine Thompson (the Facilities and Maintenance Superintendent for the Broward County Government).
- Registered a part of my logo with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
- Gained new insights and perspectives from a former workmate, which enabled me to launch my new business website and create meaningful copywriting that aligns with my practice.
- And so much more!
The only thing I have is dwindling hope before reality hits even harder. I’ve also been stating that my company was established on July 13, 2022, since I received the notification on that day. However, it turns out the official registration date is actually July 14, 2022.
The stress that comes from losing income and watching bills pile up can truly break you into pieces. If not for years of building a reliable credit history, I wouldn’t have made it this far. I’ve made a serious dent in it now, taking a big hit to my credit score, but I’m incredibly grateful to my lenders—especially American Express, Capital One, and Discover. Shoutout to my lenders! (Please don’t sue me—just kidding!)
If you’d like to support my endeavors, you can make a big difference by Buying Me a Coffee here: buymeacoffee.com/time2bloom. Alternatively, you can support me through Better World: time2bloom.betterworld.org/donate.
A Light in the Darkness
There’s a paraphrased quote by Baal Shem Tov that says, “Let me fall if I must fall. The one I am becoming will catch me.” Another quote, by American lyricist Yip Harburg, states, “All the heroes of tomorrow are the heretics of today. My heart wants roots. My mind wants wings. I cannot bear their bickerings.”
At this point in my life, I deeply resonate with both of these statements. I combine and utilize the symbols of a clock, an egg, and wings to represent breaking through adversity. This serves as a message of hope, encompassing themes of growth, self-actualization, personal development, and human flourishing. You can find this depiction featured on the cover of the 2025 edition of the Time2Bloom Art Book Anthology, where the evolving body of work MelissAllegories is showcased as the debut series.
I create unique allegorical stories and spiritual art with deep philosophical insights that can help support and improve people’s overall well-being, encouraging ethical behavior and promoting healthier habits. I won’t compromise my authenticity to make others comfortable. I value integrity: doing what’s right for the greater good, regardless of beliefs or who’s watching. If you’re a free thinker, storyteller, skeptic, or truth-seeker, you’re my kind of person.
For the piece titled Magnolia’s Wings, circa 2024, I used this particular toxic medium primarily as an alternative molding paste to finish the product. Some artists work with photographs in combination with the camera obscura or a projector. Others strategically use grids and/or study human anatomy, using their eyes against the length of their pencils.
I am not drawn to the human figure, although I still hold a keen and genuine interest in the welfare of humanity. Instead, I love lines, shapes, symbols, and patterns. I use and adore acetate sheets, transfer paper, and stencils to convey concepts. People tend to think that if it is not a natural skill or aptitude, it must be cheating. Creativity isn’t limited. Most artists are not prodigies. I’m not a prodigy, and there’s no such thing as cheating—but there is something called appropriation art, which comes very close!
A State of Tranquility and Serendipity
We all need a moment to think and breathe. I believe that breaking free from high activity makes low activity more meaningful. Finding balance can be challenging, but it’s something we all need.
Even though my financial accounts are screaming at the top of their lungs, so to speak, the second hardest part of pursuing the business arts industry for the first time is constantly readjusting for impact. I would love to sit down and get comfortable, but I’m too deep in it. I used to not be the type of person who took high risks or wavered from one point to another in pursuit of my endeavors. But pushing myself and stepping into uncomfortable situations has fostered growth and given me the opportunity to do more with my life. It’s been incredibly hard and exhausting, though! Sometimes, I just want to get comfortable, but now it feels like, just do it!
There was a phrase from one of Richmond Education’s History Engine articles, Not Even Past: Social Vulnerability and the Legacy of Redlining, which stated: “Writers did not create superheroes only to entertain and make a living, but to bring hope to the American people. Instead, the real heroes in the Great Depression of America turned out to be the American people themselves.” I aim to provide impactful philosophical ethics through storytelling techniques. I have numerous philosophical insights I want to share through stories while emphasizing the message and meaning with a style that’s both primitive and diverse, yet contemporary and urban. A few years ago, I had no idea how I would paint my illustrations, as I often used mixed materials. I was simply resourceful, using whatever I had to create art.
I am transitioning from primarily using mixed drawing mediums to focusing solely on paints to create high-quality, long-lasting, archival paintings while exploring new techniques and painting mediums to enhance and refine my style. Growing up, I mainly used drawing materials, although I painted as well. With limited resources, drawing was always easier than painting—the cost of a box of crayons or pencils was significantly less than buying paints, learning to take safety precautions, and executing proper cleaning techniques.
Time2Bloom 2025: An Entrepreneurial Spirit and the Journey of Allegory and Artistry
Life has been full of twists and turns! I am incredibly grateful to present my first solo exhibition in a gallery space, serendipitously showcasing eight pieces at The Robert A. Peck Gallery at Central Wyoming College in Riverton, Wyoming! Time2Bloom 2025 is a rare solo exhibition at the Robert A. Peck Art Center Gallery at Central Wyoming College, where Allegory Meets Artistry! Imagination fuels insight in a world of thought-provoking narratives. Journey through themes of spiritual growth, personal transformation, and philosophical exploration. With works that inspire reflection and purpose—let’s make life truly 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛𝗪𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗘!
Paradoxically, I had to lose (resources) to win (the spotlight). I was never big on taking commissions or going the route of custom artwork. I veered in several directions in the quest to find myself and what felt most authentic to me. This is the first time in years that I’ve truly felt aligned with myself—finally able to express it through my words and visual works of art.
I donated, gifted, and trashed so many old pieces. This is my first attempt at selling artwork and the first time I fully resonate with my approach and aim. Although I have not made a sale just yet, I’m grateful to have overcome a few of these hurdles in search of myself, my message, and my overall attempt to create something meaningful, genuine, and impactful. Something that fosters shared experiences.
Thank you, Nita Kehoe, professor of art and gallery director of Central Wyoming College at the Robert A. Peck Art Center Gallery, and everyone else involved in making my first gallery solo possible.
You can also explore www.Time2Bloom.co to discover exclusive artworks available for purchase online, with pickup located onsite during curated events, exhibitions, art fairs, and show openings.
