Melissa Vandiver Art
LightNews LightNews
banner
mvandiverart.bsky.social
Melissa Vandiver Art
@mvandiverart.bsky.social
640 followers 1.5K following 180 posts
Melissa Vandiver: human painter, illustrator, dog mom & glitter enthusiast in New Orleans. Whimsical pet portraits, kid books, & more. Commissions welcome! Seeking representation.

https://linktr.ee/mvandiverart

Personal acct: @melissavandiver.bsky.social
Posts Replies Media Videos
mvandiverart.bsky.social
Just out as of a few weeks ago, my latest illustration project -Real River Rats, written by Anna Johnson. It's a chapter book for early readers, about the rats who live on the batture in New Orleans. bookshop.org/p/books/real...
The cover of the book Real River Rats. Yellow text reading "Real River Rats" is in front of a painting of seven rats in different shades of brown and grey dancing. They are on a grey gravel path at the top of a levee covered in green grass and plants. In the very front is a river with rocks and long grass sticking out of the water. In the background is a blue and purple night sky with stars and a moon. From Real River Rats, written by Anna Romano Johnson and illustrated by New Orleans artist and illustrator Melissa Vandiver. Published by Arcadia Publishing. #illustrator #kidlit #kidlitillustrators #kidlitillustration #kidlitart #booksky #litsky #kidlitsky #art #neworleans #nolatwitter #nolasky A black and white illustration of six rats of different sizes climbing on an iron fence. One is standing on it, pointing behind him at New Orleans' St. Louis Cathedral off in the distance, surrounded by trees and other buildings. From Real River Rats, written by Anna Romano Johnson and illustrated by New Orleans artist and illustrator Melissa Vandiver. Published by Arcadia Publishing. #illustrator #kidlit #kidlitillustrators #kidlitillustration #kidlitart #booksky #litsky #kidlitsky #art #neworleans #nolatwitter #nolasky A black and white illustration of two rats eating a beignet on a cobblestone sidewalks. From Real River Rats, written by Anna Romano Johnson and illustrated by New Orleans artist and illustrator Melissa Vandiver. Published by Arcadia Publishing. #illustrator #kidlit #kidlitillustrators #kidlitillustration #kidlitart #booksky #litsky #kidlitsky #art #neworleans #nolatwitter #nolasky A black and white illustration of a rat on a roof, looking back at a row of houses on stilts, overhanging a river. The river and the houses disappear into the distance. Hand-painted text that says Real River Rats is in the sky. From Real River Rats, written by Anna Romano Johnson and illustrated by New Orleans artist and illustrator Melissa Vandiver. Published by Arcadia Publishing. #illustrator #kidlit #kidlitillustrators #kidlitillustration #kidlitart #booksky #litsky #kidlitsky #art #neworleans #nolatwitter #nolasky
December 1, 2025 at 2:36 AM
mvandiverart.bsky.social
She's on the older side now but people have thought she was elderly from the very beginning because of that 🤣. She also sleeps real late like a teenager
November 19, 2025 at 3:18 PM
mvandiverart.bsky.social
Thank you!!
November 19, 2025 at 3:14 PM
mvandiverart.bsky.social
The 3rd book in the Bruno & Frida series is when they go to Paris! They get into their usual trouble there, running away and playing tourist. Who could be mad about painting Paris scenery? www.brunoandfrida.com
Cover of Bruno & Frida Go to Paris/Vont a Paris. Written by Gary Mallon, illustrated by Melissa Vandiver. Illustration has a pink background that fades to blue. In the center are two smiling bulldogs with another smaller bulldog behind them. Behind them is an Eiffel Tower, the Venus de Milo sculpture, the Arc de Triomphe, tulips, French Flags, baguettes, and confetti. They are all over a banner that says The Adventures of Bruno & Frida. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky The title page of Bruno & Frida Go To Paris Vont a Paris, written by Gary Mallon, Illustrated by Melissa Vandiver. Illustration is silhouetted figures with dogs on leashes on a bridge with ornate street lights on a railing. They are looking behind at fall foliage, silhouettes of Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower and more miscellaneous buildings, and a blue sky. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky Illustration of a room with a shiny wood floor, light blue paneled walls, a wrought iron table and chairs, and an ornate antique couch that is gold plated with purple velvet upholstery. One dog is on the couch, leaning on the arm and looking at two humans on the right. The other dog is on the floor on its hind legs looking at the humans. The humans are putting on their coats, a scarf and a hat. Text on the page says "I love Paris - it's one of my favorite cities," proclaims Patrick, one of Bruno & Frida's Dads. "That's because Paris is called the City of Light and Love," says José, their other Dad, with a happy grin. "And you love to eat croissants!" "That's true," says Patrick. "So do l!" yips Frida excitedly.Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky Illustration of an overhead view looking down of a cobblestone alley and the corners of shingled roofs. A man in a hat is walking with a shopping bag. People sit at tables drinking coffee. There is an orange awning sticking out from one of the buildings. Three dogs are walking toward a man in a chef hat taking out the trash, with plants and a metal fire exit stair beside him. Text on the page says. Just then, Louis came down the stairs and saw Frida and Bruno. He cried out happily, "Bruno mon ami (Bruno, my friend), we were so worried about you! I am so happy you have been found." "We should go home before Patrick and José discover we're missing," Frida said. Louis offered to show them a shortcut down an alley back to their apartment. This time, Bruno walked in between Louis and Frida, and Frida translated everything so that Bruno could be part of the conversation. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky
November 19, 2025 at 12:20 AM
mvandiverart.bsky.social
Bruno & Frida Go To New York City came next! It was a challenge to depict the massive scale of everything in NYC juxtaposed with these two tiny mischievous dogs. www.brunoandfrida.com
The cover of a book with text Bruno & Frida Go To New York City, written by Gary Mallon, illustrated by Melissa Vandiver. Illustration shows a skyline of New York City with a sunset behind it and water beneath. In the center, two dogs are smiling over a banner that says The Adventures of Bruno & Frida. Behind them are sculptures from the public library, the Atlas sculpture, the Statue of Liberty, the Chrysler building, the Empire State building, and other miscellaneous buildings. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky Illustration of two dogs in the back of a yellow cab looking out the window, with the reflections of buildings on the window. Text on the page says For Rosemarie Cristello, my teacher, my mentor, my friend. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky Illustration of two dogs walking down a path at the zoo. To the right is a bench in front of a cage full of smiling monkeys. On the left are two elephants. In the background are more people walking on the path, palm trees, and buildings. Text on the page says They follow a path through the Central Park Zoo and hear the monkeys laugh and the elephants roar. "I feel kinda sorry for the animals who live there," says Bruno. "Me, too," admits Frida. So she dashes away. "Hey! Wait up!" says Bruno. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky Illustration of two dogs looking at a bunch of people hanging out in a park, with buildings in the distance. On a path there are a skateboarder, runner, rollerskater, cyclist, and a person walking with a kid on their shoulders. On the grass there is a family of two mothers and two kids and a dog enjoying a picnic, blowing bubbles, and reading a book, a couple people playing frisbee, someone flying a kite. Two people listening to someone play guitar under a tree. Text on the page says They eagerly lead the way to the park, and when they arrive in Central Park it's full of people. They are both mesmerized by people riding bicycles, people running, people rollerblading, riding skateboards, having picnics, tossing frisbees, and flying kites. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky
November 19, 2025 at 12:20 AM
mvandiverart.bsky.social
Adding to my portfolio thread for #kidlitchat! The first book in Gary Mallon's Bruno & Frida series was Bruno & Frida Go To Mardi Gras, taking place in my own community. People who aren't familiar with NO's Mardi Gras don't realize much of it is a family-friendly affair. www.brunoandfrida.com
Illustration of a book cover that says Bruno & Frida Go To Mardi Gras: The Adventures of Bruno & Frida, written by Gary Mallon & illustrated by Melissa Vandiver. The illsutration features two bulldogs in the front above a banner, smiling and looking up. Behind them are people playing musical instruments, dressed and dancing in Mardi Gras costumes, and confetti everywhere. The background is a pale green that fades into a pale purple. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky Illustration of a street full of colorful New Orleans houses and filled with families in Mardi Gras costumes. The street is covered in confetti and Mardi Gras beads. two bulldogs, one running ahead and one straggling, chase a brass band down the street.Frida marched out the door and boldly strolled down Ursulines Street in the direction of the parades and Bruno obediently followed. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky Illustration of a brass band and parade marching in front of a purple and green house, with dog peering out an upstairs window. There is a crowd watching the parade and confetti in the air. Text on the page says: Blat! Toot! went the trumpet outside the window. "Tappety-tap-tap" went the drums. Frida ran to the window and put her front paws on the sill. "Bruno! Come and see! The Mardi Gras Parade is starting!" An illustration showing three children in festive Mardi Gras outfits feeding a happy dog a beignet from a green and white striped bag, in front of a colored house. On the left, another bulldog and two more kids look on smiling. On of those kids is pointing. All kids and dogs are wearing Mardi Gras beads, and the sidewalk is covered in them. Text on the page says: "This is all my fault. If I find him, I promise I will never let him out of my sight again!" cried Frida. Then, up ahead in front of a school, Frida saw Bruno. He was surrounded by lots of children, all loving him and petting him - he looked so happy, and he was even being hand-fed beignets by the children! And boy did that make Frida jealous! "Bruno." she yelled above the noise of the crowd and the loud music. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky
November 19, 2025 at 12:20 AM