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This artist and art instructor from Kitchener, Ontario—Melissa Fitzgerald, known as "The Green Witch"—is all about embracing nature, tapping into her creative spirit, and adding a dash of joy to life.
Growing up, Melissa was always a creative soul, whether it was jewellery making, crafts, creative writing, or her most recent passion—painting and illustrating. It was only natural for her to express herself this way, given that both her grandmother and mother are artists. While she's largely self-taught, she has been fortunate to have many mentors and teachers who continue to inspire and guide her. Melissa's art reflects her deep love and respect for nature and earth-based spirituality. Recently, she's been focusing on depicting fungi, plants, and animals in a magical, folkloric style.
"If we slow down and listen, we can learn a lot from nature. The trees, the wind, the waves, birds, and bugs all have messages for us." She views her art as a devotional to these messengers, a way to celebrate and acknowledge their stories.
Ink, wash, and wonder
Melissa adores classic children's book illustrations, especially those by Beatrix Potter. She's also a big fan of fairy tales, folklore, and vintage botanical illustrations. Watercolour is her favourite medium because of its soft and translucent qualities. She finds it ideal for use with waterproof ink fine-line pens in an ink-and-wash style, but it's also exceptional on its own.
Over time, her style has become more detailed; she loves spending hours on a piece, watching it come to life with each tiny brushstroke. For her, the process is as important as the outcome—perhaps even more so. "Art is therapeutic," she explains, "and it should never be rushed."
Play, experiment and have fun
Melissa teaches watercolour classes for older adults, and they just love her! "It's such an honour to teach art in a community setting," she says with a big smile. "When I developed my classes, I wanted to share watercolour with beginner-level students in a way that emphasizes play, experimentation, collective learning, and community building." She believes art should always be accessible and enjoyable. Her goal is to create an environment where students feel comfortable enough to take risks and make "bad" art before they start to feel more confident with the medium.
"I make bad art all the time!" she laughs, her eyes twinkling. "I don't take art too seriously. For most of us, it's something we do because we love it, not because we are striving to be the best. Pressure and competition really get in the way of creativity. I don't want anyone to leave my class feeling discouraged or like they don't belong. I want everyone to feel like they can do this!"
We are surrounded by magic
When Melissa is fully immersed in nature, time seems to stand still. She enters a nourishing state of flow, and spending an afternoon wandering the woods becomes "medicine for the brain." Crawling around the forest floor to observe bugs and fungi or getting her sneakers wet for a better glimpse of a frog in the swamp are all part of the experience. Her camera roll is filled with photos from these excursions, each one influencing her art. Sharing these magical findings with others brings her joy.
"We are surrounded by magic; you just gotta go outside, take your time, and not be afraid to get a bit dirty," she says.
In her painting and sketching, Melissa always references what she has learned about the subjects, both scientifically and symbolically. She's passionate about nature and folklore, exploring how different cultures throughout history have engaged with their natural surroundings. It's easy to forget that "we ARE nature." Adding whimsical touches—like a cowboy hat on a toad—is her way of reinforcing that connection. It makes her smile and breaks down the barrier between humans and animals.
"We should care about our fellow animals and be mindful of our impact on the planet we share with them."
What's on
Melissa's exhibit, "The Dark Half: Mabon to Samhain," is a tribute to two of the three harvest sabbats celebrated in September and October. Themes of magic, gratitude, and abundance are woven throughout the pieces, along with concepts of symbiosis and natural cycles, including death. She believes in the balance of nature—embracing the entire cycle rather than resisting the dark and dreading the cooler nights. This mindset has shaped her work, as she aims to honour these themes and the ever-changing seasons.
Visit Melissa's exhibition at the Waterloo City Hall, Berlin Tower ARTSPACE from September 13 to October 31. It's a great chance to experience her magical world and find your inspiration to connect with nature.
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