Melissa C. Mariano, an Austin-based artist, creates colorful and surreal mixed media art at the Hyland Collective. Using colored pencil, acrylic, pastel, and resin, her work transforms childhood motifs into cryptic symbols occupying a garden of imagination. Her art mirrors life's wonder, seeking the human within the absurd chaos of life. Influenced by fellow artists, art history, and her practice as a gardener, Mariano's work carries depth and dimension. Holding a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art, she nurtures the creative community as a curator at the Hyland Collective's Key Gallery. Melissa continues to expand her work and collaborations, inviting viewers to find beauty and explore a world of extraordinary wonder.