Meet the Creatives in Residence

Most visitors to the Big Yellow House stick to the first floor for studio classes, pottery, concerts, and special events, but a lot of the creative work actually takes place upstairs.

“Sometimes, having a dedicated space outside of your home is what it takes to get creative work done,” shared Kris Rodolico, Executive Director of Follow Your Art Community Studios. “When we first moved into the Big Yellow House, we knew those rooms would be something special for visual artists in a variety of mediums.”

Artists have extended hours to access their studios at the Big Yellow House. Some people use their studios daily, while others come more sporadically as time allows. The artists currently in the Follow You Art studios are painters, mixed-media artists, mosaic artists, fiber artists, and designers. 

Individual artists have found a sense of community at Follow Your Art. An artist potluck is held on a monthly basis where Artists in Residence are welcome to gather to share their artwork over a meal. They have also led workshops for one another as another opportunity to gather and learn from each other.

Jen Blesso, who has been involved at Follow Your Art Community Studios in various capacities since its beginning, currently shares a studio on the second floor and helps coordinate the potlucks. “It’s a great opportunity to bring the artists together to share food and share our work in a supportive space,” she shared.

Jennifer Blesso is a mixed-media artist. She primarily works in acrylics and collage. Her work reflects the joy she experiences while creating with a wide variety of materials and exploring new techniques. Follow her work on Instagram @jenniferblesso

Kristen Byrne is a jeweler and photographer.

Stephanie Couchell creates custom, special occasion dresses and gowns, as well as elevated everyday wear. In addition, she takes on alterations that sometimes include repurposing garments that hold a special memory into current, wearable pieces. Her work offers elegant, timeless fashion to the modern-day wearer. Effortless in its simplicity and powerful in its quality and attention to detail. Follow her work on Instagram @stephanie_couchell

Sara Rose Gravante celebrates her passion for depicting reality to the abstract in response to the landscape through art. The landscape of the image – forms, marks and colors – all become doors to open with visual exploration and explanation. While inspired foremost by the natural world, Sara is also fascinated and influenced by how maps, graphs and other information systems show other perspectives. Each work represents one way of seeing and further serves to reveal what is next to explore. Art making is Sara’s chosen personal narrative to share and for all to choose the next moment in the story. Follow her work on Instagram @sgravante9

Natalie Isbitsky creates unique crochet pieces including hats, headbands, scarves, wreaths, blankets, baby clothes and wreaths. These pieces feature yarns with beautiful colors and often have interesting textures and/or a bit of sparkle. Follow her work on Poshmark @nadrian 1609 and on Instagram @ElvisFan58

Tamara Kenney specializes in bridal alterations as well as bridal redesign, being the busiest during the months of April through October. Custom christening gowns made from wedding gowns bring her the most joy, using as much detail from the original gown incorporated into her new design. She takes on other alterations and special requests as time allows throughout the year. For more information or to book an appointment visit her website at www.fashionsbytamara.com or follow Fashions by Tamara on Facebook and Instagram.

Kim Kent is an assemblage artist and painter.

Alissa Onigman has been doing mosaics as a hobby for 10 years on her off time from her job as a CFO of a startup. She has loved stained glass for decades which led to her mosaic hobby. Alissa has learned a lot from the artists at Mosaic Oasis and continues to go there for advice on her projects.

Maria Alonso Páez began painting at an early age. Using natural pigments, she widely experiments with different techniques, materials and textures. Her artwork can be found on Instagram @mariaalonsopaez and on the web at paez-art.com.

Kerry Pegoraro is a self-taught abstract artist who has been working in Melrose for over 10 years. She works primarily in acrylic paint and also in printmaking. Most of her work is dedicated to exploring patterns and the juxtaposition of organic and geometric elements. Follow her work on Facebook and Instagram @kerrypegorarofineart

David Winkler is a landscape painter who is always on the lookout to find inspired places that exist in conflict and beauty. He has been a stained-glass craftsman, the Art Director for a Boston Art Gallery, and has been extremely fortunate to teach several classes at FYACS. His artwork can be seen on Instagram at @davidrwinkler.art

Artists in Residence open their studios to the public each year, typically during the spring Upstairs/Downstairs at the Big Yellow House event and the Melrose Open Studio Tour in the Fall. Visitors have a chance to see “behind the scenes” at Follow Your Art and get to know the artists, see into their artistic processes, and purchase artwork during these open studio events. 

The Writers Studio

Follow Your Art is also home to over two dozen writers in residence, who have access to a dedicated Writers Studio and special events at the Big Yellow House. See our recent profile of the Writers Studio to learn more.

In May 2025, two spots are open for artists in our upstairs studio. If you or someone you know might be interested in a spot, please visit our webpage of studio availability. We would love to have you join our community and share your talent!

Sign up for the Follow Your Art weekly newsletter to be notified of upcoming events, including Open Studios and pop-up sales where you can view and purchase artwork from Artists in Residence.