The outdoorsy artist: Dawn Melka combines two of her favorite things -- art and animals

Dawn Melka, a lifelong artist who lives in Uniontown, Missouri, works with many different types of art media, including paint, clay and felt. She draws much of her inspiration from the animals around her.

"I work in many mediums, always trying new things, but for the most part, I paint animals and still-life objects, " says Melka. "My choice of medium is acrylic paints. I also create with polymer clay, covering items such as pens, wine glasses and beads, etc."

Polymer clay is a type of modeling clay that hardens, and generally is used for making arts and craft items.

Dawn Melka's workshop at her Uniontown home. (Glenn Landberg)

"I have horses and dogs, so there is always inspiration around me," says Melka. "I usually have my camera with me, and I've been known to stop on the side of the road to shoot pictures. Friends of mine own and operate Watkins Wildlife Rehab (in Sedgewickville, Missouri), and they allow me to take photos of the animals. That's a real treat!"

Melka sells her one-of-a-kind art pieces and items online and occasionally at local craft shows.

"Right now, many pieces can be seen on Daily Paint Work, and I almost always post on Facebook under 'Dawn Melka Fine Art,'" she says. "My craft and polymer clay items get listed on Etsy. I have also done a few craft shows, and I accept commissions as well."

In addition to creating and selling various types of art, Melka teaches polymer clay workshops.

"People gather their friends together, between four and six people, and they come over for a full day of crafting," she says. "I teach them how to make basic cane; that's the design also called 'millifori.' Then they learn how to apply it to an item. It's a very fun, relaxing workshop."

A portrait Dawn Melka painted of her horse, Quincy, hangs above her fireplace mantel in her Uniontown, Missouri, home. (Glenn Landberg)

Melka, who is 55, is originally from New England and lived in Oregon for 10 years before moving to Missouri six years ago. She studied art at Vesper George School of Art in Boston before she began a career as a picture framer.

"After getting out of school, I needed to pay some bills and ended up working for a picture framer," says Melka. "I loved that so much, I spent the next 25-plus years in that field."

TBY cutline:Dawn Melka spends a moment with Nikita at her Uniontown, Missouri, home. (Glenn Landberg)

Because of work and other obligations, Melka did very little art of her own during that time. But, a little more than a decade ago, the art world called her back.

"I started to paint about 12 years ago, and when we moved here to Missouri, I got more serious about it and it became my full-time job," she says.

Clay rests on a table in Dawn Melka's workshop at her Uniontown home. (Glenn Landberg)

Melka and her husband have been married for 26 years.

"I am very lucky that he supports me in this chosen field," she says.

When she's not painting or creating with clay, Melka enjoys the great outdoors in many ways.

"I (ride) my horses and take care of our small acreage," she says. "I'm not sure why, but getting on the tractor is very soothing to me!"