PlayBright Studio - Melissa Shelton

I wasn’t sure where I was going when I first started Playbright Studio. I felt paralyzed making choices that were just for me. Most folks struggle with putting their own wants and desires first, and the current economic and political climate doesn’t make any of it easier! So if you’re feeling like your best isn’t enough, be gentle and keep moving, at any pace. This past Saturday, I had my first market experience for Playbright at @bellevilleindie and after all my prep and anxiety, I had a better time than I could ever have imagined. And if you’re following me now because of the market, thank you for being here!! This print is a drawing based off a carving created during the pandemic, a symbol of rebirth and the elements. This is 1 of 4 different prints that will be available in my shop on the next update (which is coming soon!) Comment if you’d like to see more behind scenes stuff! P.S. is now live!! I will be adding items in the next week, sign up for emails either in my linktree or through my website to get details! #drawingprocessvideo #videodrawing #procreate

We’re getting married! In just one month Aaron and I will be tying the knot. After 13 years together, I can’t wait to spend the rest of forever with him. I am a better and stronger version of myself by his side, he’s encouraged me to be myself more and more over the years, he sees me for who I am. I love you and the person you have become, someone who has a quiet strength, an open mind and a loving and understanding heart. I love chasing our dreams together @aaron_kirk88 Tintype by aidanhigginbotham Engagement Photos by @marleneornellaphotos

This year has really been incredible for my business and personal life and absolutely awful everywhere else. I have been prioritizing being present with myself and others in person and I have connected with so many truly amazing people. This has been my first season with @tgfarmersmarket and I was honored to be chosen to design the poster for @towergrovepride . The community around @towergrovepark is really like no other! People supporting local businesses, farmers and artists, bringing their cute dogs, and parrots and bearded dragons!! I’ve witnessed so much love and feel so grateful to be here. I try to put that love and joy into my work and reflect the diversity and creativity I see around me. This weekend feels like a culmination of my projects over the year and I really can’t wait to show you all what I’ve been working on!! Come out to @towergrovepride Saturday 11-6pm and Sunday 11-5pm, the Parade will be at 1pm with @peoplesjoyparadeart . There will be so many amazing vendors plus music, food, a skating rink with @skateculture.stl , volleyball and community outreach! I have so many gay, queer, trans and nonbinary friends and customers! You all are so special and so loved! I will have posters, Tshirts, Block Prints and Block printed upcycled clothing, stickers and of course, my Tarot prints! I am so so close to finishing my deck! And thanks to @stlouisarts I have been awarded an Artist Support Grant to get “The Animal Path” Tarot Deck manufactured!! I will be updating as I get further into the process, so look out for a newsletter sign up, if you’d like to get a copy for yourself or loved ones! One last reminder, you can find me in the GREEN zone this weekend!! Right in the center of the park!

The parade kick-off morning of Tomato Art Fest! Did I take any more photos or videos from 10am-7pm?? I did not 😅😂 the day was absolutely packed with funky fun people and costumes and good vibes all around. Y’all sold me out of all things Tomato yesterday! I also had my biggest sale day yet 🫠 Thank you!!! I’m from a small town in Kentucky about an hour outside of Nashville. I stayed with my sister in East Nashville for the first time and my family came to visit. I love St. Louis but it felt so good to be back in the area!❤️ #tomatoartfest #nashville #eastnashville #tomatoartfest2025

💛 A big THANK YOU to @playbrightstudio PLAYBRIGHT STUDIO for stepping up for our community in such a meaningful way! And Thank you to @towergrovepride TOWER GROVE PRIDE for organizing this initiative ♥️ They generously donated a portion of their sales toward the Tornado Relief Fund, helping us continue our active relief efforts in St. Louis City. Their support is a beautiful reminder of what can happen when small businesses and local hearts come together. We had the honor of being presented with this contribution at their booth at Tower Grove Farmers Market — a moment full of community spirit and hope. Let’s continue to support businesses like PlayBright Studio, who not only create beautiful things but do beautiful things. Together, we’re rebuilding, one act of kindness at a time. 🇺🇸 #towergrove #towergrovefarmersmarket #art

New vendor @playbrightstudio fits right in with these fun, colorful tarot inspired prints, block prints and more! There are also some beautiful floral prints, and really adorable artwork that would look so cute in a nursery 🦦🦒🦉🐅💛

Pride Month has been really special this year. I vended at @soulard_pride for the first time and felt something heal when I saw Dolly Parton in drag 🥹 so many beautiful humans just loving and celebrating each other, the energy is just so overwhelmingly positive and cheerful and revolutionary and rebellious. I loved every second, even when my table collapsed during a flash storm right before the day started 🫠 before I could even cry people I didn’t even know yet were helping 💖 Since then I’ve been very busy getting lots of new stuff together for this weekend! I will be at @pridestl Saturday 11-7 and Sunday 11-6 near Soldiers Memorial 🌈🌈 come support your local community, yes there are problematic corporate sponsorships (Boo Boeing!!) and there is also so much value in coming together to celebrate each other and the LGBTQ community in St. Louis during Pride Month. I can’t wait to dance and smile and spend a little $$ on my city 🥳🎉♥️🧡💛💚💙💜 Next, month I’ll be moving into a new place in Soulard! If you have any recs in the area, let me know!! I’ll be popping up at markets a few times too. Let Then Eat Art in Maplewood- Friday 7/12 6-10pm @rwbgfarmersmarket - Thursday 7/25 4-7pm @schlaflybeer - Sunday 7/28 11-4pm

This past month I’ve been thrifting soft tees in fun colors to upcycle for @stlouisearthday Festival this weekend! 💛💚💙💜♥️🧡I’ll also have special upcycled beaded earrings and my usual print line up but packaging will be paper sleeves rather than cellophane 🌍🌈 I’m so excited to be a part of this event this year, there will be so many activities, amazing vendors, yummy food and lots of composting stations ✨I’ll be by the MUNY Pagoda Circle in Forest Park 11am-5pm Saturday and Sunday 💖🌷🌻 Now, that spring is in full swing, I’m so excited for Market season 🥳 I’ll be at @rwbgfarmersmarket this year, starting May 2nd! I’ll also be at @maysnightmarket this year, Friday May 10th!! And Sundaze @schlaflybeer with @minx.monster.metals on 4th Sundays! Can’t wait to see you! APRIL & MAY EVENTS SAT & SUN 4/20-4/21 @stlouisearthday in Forest Park 11AM-5PM SUN 4/28 Sundaze @schlaflybeer 11AM-4PM THURS 5/2 @rwbgfarmersmarket 4-7PM THURS 5/9 @rwbgfarmersmarket 4-7PM FRI 5/10 @maysnightmarket 6-11PM SUN 5/19 Procure Marker 12-4PM @cityfoundrystl @shopprocurestl @thewomenscreative THURS 5/23 @rwbgfarmersmarket 4-7PM SUN 5/26 Sundaze @schlaflybeer 11AM-4PM #madeinstl #thingstodointhelou #stlouisevents #stlearthday #upcyclefashion #blockprinted #stlouisearthday #stlouis #stlouisbusiness #stlmade #stlouisgram #stl

💖🌷❤️💕💌💘Give your sweetie plenty of love today💝💓❣️🫀❤️‍🔥🫶 #tarot #digitalart #valentines #lovewitch

We’re getting ~BEARy~ close to finishing the Major Arcana! I’ve been in my hibernation era for the last month but I’m getting myself together for TWO markets this weekend!! So many amazing vendors at both, come out for an early Valentine’s treat 🌷✨ Saturday, 2/10 from 12-5 with @myrtlehauspublishing and @moabortionfund at @earthboundbeer - every Bar purchase donates $1 🥳 Sunday, 2/11 from 12-4 with @tgfarmersmarket at @4handsbrewingco ❤️🍻 I’ll be dropping off prints to @stlvirtuosocollective next week!

Being a Virgo, I love a plan but it’s a blessing I haven’t gotten everything I thought I wanted. Thanksgiving makes you reflect over the year and I’m heartbroken for our world and thankful for so much at the same time. Being a part of the @stlvirtuosocollective is something I’m really grateful for, thank you so much @wisejulesart and @jessied.mees for all your hard work and for including me 🥹I really love connecting with other vendors and artists, this project is really special. If you find yourself by Cherokee Street, please check it out. This weekend especially with #smallbusinesssaturday because when you support local, you’re supporting your community directly and investing in future projects, places, people and art that will make a difference to you and your neighbors ✨ Thank you for all your support, every like, share, comment, sale and interaction means the world to me. I’ll be at @dasbevo tonight Fri 4-8 then @cityfoundrystl with @polishedprints tomorrow, Sat 11-5 🌈✨#stlmade #stlartscene #stlartists #cherokeestreet #314together

The Devil, The High Priestess and Death. Spooky and misunderstood! I watched so many scary movies while drawing these..and yes that includes Halloweentown and Casper 👻 I hope everyone has enjoyed the spooky season, I cleaned a pumpkin out then forgot to carve it and it got so moldy lol 🎃🍁🍂 anyways, you can find these in person on Cherokee Street at @stlvirtuosocollective !! #tarotcards #procreate #stlmade #stlartist