About the Artist

Melinda Renken earned her B.A. in Creative Writing and 19th century Literature from The Evergreen State College in 2013. She earned her Masters of Fine Arts in creative writing at Sierra Nevada University in August 2016. She is currently at work (in the painfully slow manner of a slug on tranquilizers) on her first novel. She expects to publish it sometime before civilization comes to an end. She lives in a small town in Eastern Idaho, surrounded by Mormons in which she and her blue hair, pagan ways and general liberal mindset cause many wide eyes. Shis is owned by two very spoiled cats, Chloe (The Duchess of Darkness) and Sebastian Von Floofyface III. (There was neither a Sebastian Sr, or Jr. My Sebastian is fabulous enough for all three versions, thank you.) In September 2022, she will begin her studies in the Master of Arts History program at Eastern Washington University, in order to enhance her writing.

In Addition to her writing and jewelry making, Melinda enjoys spending time reading, baking (she was a pastry chef for a short while prior to becoming disabled and holds a certificate in Baking and Pastry Arts from the Art Institute’s Culinary science department,) and spending time with friends.

She is an animal lover and deeply committed to animal rescue. The plight of elephants is a cause near and dear to her heart. She is also committed to making a difference for domestic animals affected by abuse and neglect. Humans are perhaps the most evil of all animals.

As a survivor of domestic abuse, Women’s rights and civil liberties are also something she feels strongly about. This is often reflected in her writing and artwork.

Please feel free to reach out. :)