Melissa Kleynowski is an illustrator and cartoonist whose work brings together expressive character design, dynamic storytelling, and a lifelong love of drawing. With a style that balances playful energy and strong draftsmanship, she creates art that connects with audiences across comics, fan communities, and all-ages publishing.

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Melissa is a published graphic novel artist with Papercutz Publishing, where she contributed pencils and inks to comic pages for Nickelodeon’s The Loud House graphic novel series for nearly 5 years, appearing within 20 volumes. Working on a beloved animated property allowed her to translate the show's fast-paced humor and heart into engaging sequential storytelling. This experience deepened her passion for collaborative comics production and narrative art.

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In addition to her illustration practice, Melissa serves as the Membership and Retail Manager at the Society of Illustrators, the historic nonprofit organization dedicated to the art of illustration and comic and cartoon art, where she has worked for nearly a decade. In this role, she supports a vibrant creative community through exhibitions, programming, and member engagement, while also overseeing the museum shop and its retail programming. Through this work, she champions both established and emerging artists and remains closely connected to the evolving illustration industry.

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Her portfolio spans original comics, character art, fan illustrations, and commissioned pieces. Whether working digitally or traditionally, Melissa approaches each project with curiosity, craftsmanship, and a commitment to storytelling. She draws inspiration from animation, pop culture, museum studies, and the everyday humor found in life’s small moments.

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Through her work, Melissa aims to create art that feels alive, expressive, approachable, and full of personality.