I’ve been sitting on this portrait for months! This is Melissa. She used to be one of my bosses when I worked at Vella Cafe who became a great friend of mine. I love Melissa because she is caring, fun and hilarious. She invents yummy, creative syrups that can be used in cocktails, snow cones and cooking (JoSnow). I remember when I needed to move to a new apartment she let me borrow her van so I didn’t have to rent one. She and I share a love for cats and she has commissioned me to paint several of them over the years. She is someone I would definitely have to go out to eat with the next time I’m in Chicago because she knows all the best places to eat. Check out and buy some of her syrups!