Inside the mind of Digital Artist Mel Davis

Mel Davis resides in Charleston, South Carolina is one of the greatest black digital artists on this side of the globe. Mel speaks louder with his hands than his mouth. Mel’s gallery Mellow Arts introduces the world to amazing artwork that shows not only his gift but takes you into his mind and how he depicts black art telling the stories of people of color through love, life and humanity.

How did you get started drawing?

In school I was one of those kids that was visual, so reading was something I had problems with. They call it dyslexic. I had a problem trying to understand certain words and pronouncing them. I was fascinated with animals, trees, and nature. I was in school and there was a kid sitting next to me and I started to draw him with my number two pencil on the desk. The kids came around after I had finished and was very impressed that I could just look at someone and sketch them like that. A light came on in my mind because it was so relaxing that I could even do that. That’s how I picked it up. Also, my teacher encouraged me to develop that gift.

What black art do you like to draw the most?

To be honest it’s not which ones I like to draw the most, it’s the motion that you’re in when you’re there. Our stories are so broad. I used to be a kid that didn’t like to look at slavery I didn’t like to see what our ancestors went through. When I do pieces like that your feeling goes into it. You try to envision the pain, disappointment and that lost world where you feel there’s no way out. You have to implement that into the work. It becomes very draining but, somehow the universe will keep you in that space for the duration of the work until it’s done.

How did you win artist of the year in 2022?

I won the ‘Courageous Women Magazine Artist of the Year’ in California. I entered the contest which had a lot of artists out there and I won. I was like blown away that I won. She was like Mel you won! I was like won what? You won the artist of the year award. That was exciting to know so, I just started to build on my brand and to find other ways to be known as an artist. Artists very rarely understand their craft until later in life. We have been plagued with the concept of starving artists which is more identifiable for black artists because the platform is less for us to stand on and be seen. If you don’t have the zeal, drive, focus or desire to do what God has given you to do sometimes we fall between the cracks. The struggle is real especially when you decide to make it a business.

Tell me about the book you’re writing.

The book was designed for a lot of businessmen who never really got a chance to tell their story. The book ‘THE HEART OF A BLACK MAN’ pinpoints the red carpet of individual people. Back in the day men were always at the forefront. The world has snatched the rug from that. We are not sought after as much as who we are. Men don’t really talk about our struggles. We have a very small circle who will express ourselves to and this book allows us to express ourselves better whether you’ve been in jail on drugs or dealing with a disability this book gives them a light.

Mel’s book is scheduled to be released in March or April of this year. Stay tuned for the book. Also visit his gallery at https://mellowarts.com.