Rising Stars: Meet Marissa Hitt

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marissa Hitt.

Hi Marissa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
When I was five years old, I began showing my artwork in galleries. All of the amazing opportunities I have experienced came from either art, my family’s support, & Jesus. When I was six or seven, I met a wonderful designer who introduced me to my modeling agent who is one of the leading forces behind Voices And Models. I signed to this amazing agency before I could name one famous model.

Fast forward seven years, I am still signed with Voices And Models, & after taking a break from painting (I continued to create in one way or another, either through dance, expressing the mood & style of my runway walk at fashion shows, being in front of a camera for photoshoots, or by simply saving pins on Pinterest that inspired me), I created Melane & Co. with a new perspective on life. My artistic view of the world had changed so much during the years I was not running a business, not to mention the rise of social media. If I am not modeling, painting, creating posts for Melane & Co.’s social media pages, you can find me reading, meeting up with a friend, & just learning every piece of advice I can.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Our life on this earth will never be perfect. No matter how many cups of coffee we rely on (I do not drink coffee on a daily basis, but you know what I mean), each day will bring us some form of a trial. However, I can honestly I would not have handled difficult times the same way if I had not known Jesus. One of the reasons I believe children should be surrounded by joyful & innocent decor is because I believe today’s children need to be, well, children. I hope parents will understand that. Sadly, the world is not the same compared to when they were young, but they can take hope in cultivating a joyful space & atmosphere for their child to grow up in.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I always light up when someone asks me what I do because sharing my passions with others & inspiring others is a joy.

Melane & Co. is a brand I run alongside my mom. We are a mother & daughter team who create watercolor animal prints, cards, & custom pet portraits that represent innocence, light, love, & joy. Our hope is that you experience delight each time a Melane & Co. piece enters your life, & our pieces bring light into any space, especially nursery’s or children’s rooms. Our custom watercolor pet portraits have been perfect gifts for animal lovers.

I am blessed to be able to share joy with others. I believe a lot of individuals do not believe they have a gift to share with the world, but if you are reading this & believe that, please know it is far from true. Even a smile goes a long way.

Melane & Co. is unique because of our mission behind the brand. We strive to create innocence & joy, especially for young children. In addition to creating bright-eyed watercolor animals, I paint custom pet portraits where I strive to capture the personality of each furry family member.

Modeling pushes my artistic abilities, as well. To me, modeling is more than trying to look pretty in front of a camera. It is about showing off your look, adding feeling to the image & adapting to the overall style of each photoshoot.

Signing with Voices And Models was one of the best decisions I made for my modeling endeavors. I have learned how to audition for commercials, be a commercial model, & understand the mood of each photoshoot based on how I am styled that day.

One of my favorite things about modeling is that each model is set apart. We all have different looks, & that is what makes modeling special. One of the ways I believe I am set apart in modeling is my work ethic. I absorb the style of the photoshoot to bring life in front of the camera. In addition to taking in my surroundings, hair and makeup, & the outfit, I study my photographer’s photo style. I work to vary my expressions & poses with each photographer I work with.

What does success mean to you?
Success is personal to each individual, which makes it that much more exciting. I believe “making it” is viewed differently to each person. I also believe in small but mighty successes that happen to us on a daily basis. I just received a very sweet message from a friend after a difficult day, & I would define that as a success.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: melaneandco.com & https://www.voicesand.com/portfolio/?id=284
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissa_hitt/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melaneandco/

Image Credits
Watercolor portraits by Marissa Hitt Melane & Co. Co-Founder, Content Creator, & Artist “We Otter Be Friends,” “Hello, Deer,” & “Misty,” can all be seen and purchased on melaneandco.com Photos by Samantha Levi Phototgraphy Hair and Makeup by Kristin Kent Styled photoshoot with pink dress photographed by Jenny Shipley Hair and makeup by Hello Lovely KC Floral arrangement by Amy Cason of Victorian Gardens