Today, we’d like to introduce you to Melina Robinson.
Hi Melina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I first started experimenting with resin art after I moved to Oahu, Hawaii, from San Francisco during the pandemic. I was inspired by the beautiful tropical waters in my new home and had been considering experimenting with resin for a while.
I dove into my resin journey at full speed and aimed to recreate the oceans and beaches of Oahu in my pieces. After lots of experimentation, failures, and lessons learned, I was happy with what I was creating, and I decided to expand from just a hobby to selling my work online. Hence, the birth of Sun Kissed Pours. I soon started participating in local craft fairs and farmer’s markets and spent most of my free time either creating new pieces or at the beach soaking up the sun and inspiration.
Towards the end of 2023, I moved from Oahu to Bountiful, Utah, where I have met so many incredible local makers and small businesses. Though farther from the ocean, my pieces continue to be inspired by my time in Hawaii and now also by the beautiful mountains that surround us here. For those following along, keep your eyes peeled for new styles coming soon! With a bit more space to work in here and a local community woodshop, I’ve also begun incorporating woodworking into many of my pieces. More to come there, too.
I’m in the process of moving up to Ogden, and I’m excited to meet and support the local community there!
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
My journey with resin and as a small business has been full of many lessons learned and moments of growth. The first couple months of experimentation were filled with disappointment with how things turned out and lots of experimentation until I found the right combination of materials and technique.
With the prevalence of social media videos making everything look easy these days, this is just a reminder to anyone trying something new for the first time: Practice makes improvement, and no one becomes an expert overnight. But with dedication and a hunger to learn, you’ll be able to accomplish what you set your mind to. I’m continuing to learn from mistakes and new techniques every day, and that’s what keeps things exciting.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the owner and sole creator of Sun Kissed Pours, a small resin art and woodworking business. My specialty is ocean-inspired resin art, from charcuterie boards to coasters and canvases to vases. With each piece, I aim to recreate the tropical blues and crashing waves surrounding Oahu, Hawaii, where I lived for three years.
My goal is that each piece transports my customers and clients to their own tropical oasis, whether that’s just a walk away or on a dream vacation. Now that I have moved to Utah, I am inspired by the beautiful mountains here and am filled with ideas on how to incorporate them into my work. I want my pieces to be relatable and to spark emotion from those who may stop to look or buy.
Whether it’s the mountains, oceans, or anywhere in between, I’m inspired by the beauties of the world around us and hope that each piece I make captures a bit of this beauty for someone to take home with them.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I grew up in the Bay Area in California, and for as long as I remember, trips to the beach were my favorite. Whether it was Santa Cruz, Monterey, or a road trip to San Diego, I would jump in the water (no matter how cold) and body surf the waves for hours.
We made a few family trips to Hawaii growing up, and the warm tropical waters there were always the hardest to leave. I can’t say I was too surprised when that’s the direction my art first took!
Contact Info:
- Website: sunkissedpours.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/sunkissedpours
