Melissa L. Nichols

Born in Springfield, IL. Resides in Houston, Texas. Melissa L. Nichols is an artist of many talents. She is a successful writer/producer, graphic artist, designer, classically trained actress, voice actress, martial artist and special effects artist. She is a graduate of the Carver Center Advanced Visual Arts program, class of 1986, but had began working professionally as a special effects artist in 1985, doing makeup with her brother Phil Nichols, in live theatrical shows. In 1988 when she and her brother founded their FX lab, Facades FX, an award winning special effects make-up and creature design studio. More famously known as an FX artist, Melissa is celebrating 25 years of excellence in design and fabrication. Melissa has 20+ years of practical experience on set and in the design studio, and is also a gifted Production Designer, Set Designer, Set Dresser, and Special Props fabricator. Having an amazing gift to be able to recreate in two or three dimensions a model of what is in her mind's eye, she can make fabricate, or draw just about anything. Melissa's passions are visual arts, photography, film, writing fiction, or for screen, illusions, and martial arts. She holds the rank of Kyosanim, 1st Degree Black Belt with Grandmaster Kim Pyung-Soo, founder of the International Chayon-Ryu Martial Arts Association and is a member of the Chayon-Ryu Yudanja Whey, Black Belt Association. She promotes health, success and longevity, and obesity awareness through martial arts. Melissa is also a ventriloquist, keeping alive the ancient art speaking without moving the lips, and throwing the voice. Melissa lives and works in Houston, Texas in the creative film, television and visual arts industries. She has more than 15 feature films to her credit, and over 100 shorts, industrial projects, music videos and commercials.