Biography + C.V.
BIOGRAPHY
JEFF MELLIN is an award-winning art/creative director, multidisciplinary artist, writer, and musician. He’s art directed regional culture and news periodicals, designed for historically significant literary and magazine publishers, collaborated and conspired with record labels, rock bands, and avant-garde performers, and helped to build, promote, and elevate an array of cultural non-profits, community groups, start-ups, and upstarts.
ArtsAround Boston Day Proclamation, signed by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.
ART
As a graphic artist, he’s worked on all kinds of stuff. In Boston, he served as art director for the award-winning Art New England magazine and helped start ArtsAround Boston, which was recognized by the Massachusetts governor for “contributions to the Commonwealth” and by the city of Boston with an “ArtsAround Boston Day” proclamation. He has since won awards for his work with multiple publications in Virginia, designed specialty editorial for Scientific American, created history museum installations and videos for the Chinese Historical Society of America in San Francisco, and designed book covers for the notoriously storied City Lights Books.
He’s also collaborated on art/performance installations in NYC, Boston, and Philadelphia, and his Soamel Pictures video collaborations with photographer John Soares have been recognized and awarded at film festivals around the world.
Ad from the Village Voice for an early acoustic show at CBGB Gallery, circa 1992. What’s that they say? “As long as they spell your name right…”
MUSIC
As a songwriter and musician, Jeff cut his troubadour teeth playing anywhere they’d let him — driveways, dormitories, coffeehouses, church basements, galleries and subway stops — from the Massachusetts North Shore to Greenwich Village.
In the 90s, he immersed himself in the Boston music scene, designing album art and posters for bands and labels at his Newbury Street office by day and, by night, fronting a jangly, twangy, mock-n-roll group called the Eddies (along with Jack Dean on drums, Jake Guralnick on guitar and backing vocals, Sam Longley & J.V. McDonough on bass).
Recording "Don't Go Crazy Before I Do!" at Q Division Studios, 2011. (Photo by John Soares)
Over the years since, he’s released solo mod-folk/indie-pop records including Jeff Mell!n Saves The World, Parts 1ne & 2we (with Andy Pastore & John Clarke of Chaz & the Motorbikes, the Oscillators, and Slide, produced and recorded by Pete Weiss, Joel Mellin, Robert Kempf, & Grammy-winning producer Ducky Carlisle), Good For A Gander (with the Midnight Cowboys and Kristin Mueller, produced by Joel Mellin), Love is Made Of Sky (with members of SHRAG, Orange Nichole, and Doug Yule of the Velvet Underground) and Three On A Match, a concept album inspired by Bette Davis films (with Delicatessen’s Neil Carlill and the late King Toad).
He’s also released singles and special tracks for London’s WIAIWYA Records, including a duet with Jenny Dee (produced by Ed Valauskas), holiday songs (with help from Valerie Vuolo and Lisa Starke), and a moon-landing inspired track with Bryan Bickhart & Blessing Osazuwa as Mock Rockets). His songs have been recorded by indie artists, including Miss Mary, Death by Chocolate, Superdrive and Slide.
Book signing in Tilton, NH, 2022
WRITING, ETC.
Oakland-based poetry press Kolourmeim Press published an anthology of his "literate, Bob Dylan-esque" lyrics. And with his own Pennyring Press, he published a year-long collection of haiku and photographs and a dream-ballad decorated with images adapted and collaged from pre-Raphaelite and 16th century artworks.
With his brother, the NYC-based composer Joel Mellin, he also helped to promote the creativity of others with both Stereorrific Recordings, a small underground pop label, and Waxfruit Arts Media, Inc., a not-for-profit organization co-founded to support and create projects connecting indie music with other media arts and the community at large. Somehow they managed to coordinate projects with artists in the US, Europe, and South America.
Now based in the Philadelphia area, he continues to work and collaborate with creative people from all over.
READ JEFF'S ARTIST STATEMENT >>
Windows Into History installation, Ardmore 2023 (Photo by Yvonne McCarey)
READ JEFF'S ARTIST STATEMENT >>
“…creative genius…”
“So grateful for Jeff Mellin’s ability to elevate a project.”
— Jane Murray, Ardmore Initiative
“I’d definitely get Jeff Mellin, who’s responsible for the beauty that is the What’s Good cover, to work his magic as he saw fit.”
— Daniel Levin Becker, author
"Few Art Directors or Graphic Designers as so attentive to and understanding of the content and spirit of the project. Each sketch or finished work we receive from Jeff makes us say, yes, that's EXACTLY what we mean! The popularity of our print materials alone has increased so greatly we've already doubled -- and then tripled -- our baseline print runs. Some of the best graphic design work I've ever seen."
— Anna Naruta, Chinese Historical Society of America
"I have worked with many designers and Jeff is heads and shoulders above them all. He is a perfectionist who strives for -- and achieves -- excellence with every design."
— Kristen De Deyn Kirk, Port Folio Weekly
"An almost appalling inventiveness.... continues to amaze me with every new listen."
— Butch & Brenda, The Noise
"...catchy and diverse... a listener can’t help but hear snatches of Crowded House, a '60s Turtles vibe, a cheery side of the Velvet Underground, a bit of Paul McCartney bass and even some Dylanesque vocals and lyrical images."
— Ames Arnold, Style Weekly
"...infectious melodic jangle pop and swamp folk..." --
— All Music Guide
"...inventive, original, retro and refreshing... Pinch me, I must be dreaming!"
— Jordan Catalano, The Noise
Shooting the Dark Victory video in 2011. (Photo by John Soares)
C.V.
My assistants make a final inspection of our Windows Into History installation on Lancaster Ave. in Ardmore, PA, July 2023
INSTALLATIONS/EXHIBITS
2023 Windows Into History: Explore Historic Ardmore, Ardmore, PA. An ongoing “pop-up museum” collaboration with the Ardmore Initiative, Lower Merion Historical Society, Lower Merion Conservancy, and Lower Merion Township, celebrating the Ardmore Sesquicentennial. Winner of the 2024 Pennsylvania Downtown Center Townie Award for Promotions & Marketing: General Image & Identity.
2014 City Squared: Philadelphia Abstralographs, Millésimé, Philadelphia PA. Exhibit of Semi-abstract photographs
2013 Time Never Forgets, Millésimé, Philadelphia PA. Multi-projector Abstract video installation, in conjunction with Design Philadelphia Festival
2011 Together/Apart, Hartwick College, NY. Collaboration with Joel Mellin & Catherine Hedberg. Large format, stylized photo portraits illuminated in synchronicity with a computer music composition.
2010 Vortex, Chocolate Factory Theater, NYC. Collaboration with Joel Mellin, Catherine Hedberg, Faurot + Paulson. Site-specific installation for avant garde music performance. "Live" version of Together/Apart.
2009 A View From A Window From The Outside, National Mechanics, Phila. PA. Collaboration with Joel Mellin, John Soares, Faurot + Paulson, Jodi Melnick
1999 Why/POP?, CyberArts Festival, Boston MA. Collaboration with Interrelated Arts Foundation
Pinch hitter for City Lights.
GRAPHIC ART + DESIGN
More details available at LinkedIn.
Art direction for periodicals and special publications including Scientific American, Port Folio Weekly, ArtsAround Boston, and Art New England.
Work for publishers, non-profits, artists, arts organizations, science and high tech, and product packaging projects. Clients include City Lights (Dagoberto Gilb, Michael McClure, Charles Bukowski), Ardmore Initiative, Chinese Historical Society of America, H.B. Hunter Foods, Princeton Center (Mobil, Delta)
Work with countless indie artists and labels to help them define their identity and realize their vision. Clients include Upstart/Rounder (Nick Lowe, Los Straitjackets, Upper Crust, Dennis Brennan), Q Divison (Buffalo Tom, Eli "Paperboy" Reed, Jenny Dee), Signature Sounds (Mark Erelli), Slow River/Ryko (Charlie Chesterman), wiaiwya, dren records, planting seeds records, ...
2024 Townie Award, Promotions & Marketing: General Image & Identity
DESIGN AWARDS/HONORS
2024 Townie Award, Promotions & Marketing: General Image & Identity from the Pennsylvania Downtown Center for Windows Into History (with the Ardmore Initiative)
2023 Best Movie Poster, Robinson Film Awards, Italy
2023 Best Movie Poster, New Jersey Film Awards
2022 Honorable Mention: Best Movie Poster, Art Film Awards, Skopje, North Macedonia
2022 Best Movie Poster, Eastern European Film Festival
With Ninevolt Editor-In-Chief Jeff Maisey (right) in 2004. Just months after the sales manager complained that our covers were "too scary," we won First Place for Cover Design from Virginia Press Association.
(Photo by Kathy Keeney)
2005 Virginia Press Association Awards
1st place – Cover Design, Port Folio Weekly
2nd place – Cover Design, Ninevolt Magazine
3rd place – Design & Presentation, Port Folio Weekly
2004 Virginia Press Association Awards
1st place – Cover Design, Ninevolt
1st place – Design & Presentation, Port Folio Weekly
2nd place – Special Section Design, Tidewater Parent Baby Guide
1999 Recognized by Gov. Paul Celluci for “contributions to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts” for work with ArtsAround Boston magazine
2024
Florence Film Awards, Florence, Italy, Gold Award: Original Song, Silver Award: Music Video, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
Black & White Film Festival, Toronto ON, Official Selection, The Shabby Dress
2023
Dubai International Cine Carnival, Critics' Choice Award: Music Video, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
Denver Monthly Film Awards, Official Selection: Animation, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
Nassau Film Festival, Princeton NJ, Honorable Mention, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
Liverpool Indie Awards, Official Selection, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
Kalakari Film Festival, Indore, India, Official Selection, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
New Jersey Film Awards, Best Editing, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
Monza Film Festival, Monza, Italy, Best Experimental Film, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
Wisdom Tree International Film Festival, Pune, India, Official Selection, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
Paris Film Awards, Honorable Mention, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
2022
Stockholm City Film Festival, Best Music Video, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, Video Short, Co-Director, Writer, Editor. With John Soares & Sofia Baliakhova
Art Film Awards, Skopje, North Macedonia, Finalist: Best Music Video, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
Eastern European Film Festival, Honorable Mention: Best Music Video, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
Setting up a shot of Niki Luparelli for the Dark Victory video.
(Photo by John Soares)
2012
New York City Independent Film Festival, Official Selection, Dark Victory, Co-Director, Writer, Editor. With John Soares & Niki Luparelli
Philadelphia Independent Film Festival, Official Selection, The Shabby Dress, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor. With Xan Kaplan, et al.
2012 Arlington International Film Festival, Official Selection, Tumblebee, Editor. With John Soares & John Clarke.
2011 Philadelphia Independent Film Festival, Official Selection, Dark Victory, Co-Director, Writer, Editor. With John Soares & Niki Luparelli
PANELS, COMMITTEES, etc.
2024-Present Ardmore Initiative Events Committee
2022-Present Ardmore Initiative Streetscape Committee, “Window Into History: Explore Historic Ardmore” etc.
2013 Screening Panel Member Philadelphia Film & Animation Festival
2010 Judge for the 35th Annual Connecticut Art Directors Club Awards. With Ophelia Chong, Brett Yancy Collins & Monica Hargrove
2010-12 Senior Portfolio Reviewer, Art Institute of Philadelphia, Philadelphia PA
2005 What Makes a Great Rock & Roll Photograph?, Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA. Panelist/speaker on the topic with Nirvana/Sub-Pop photographer Charles Peterson
1995 Guest speaker on the topic of Album Cover Design, Massachusetts Communications College
POP EYE VIEW: The Rockstar Photography of John Soares poster, 2005
CURATORIAL PROJECTS
2012 Chorus Vs. Solos: a Tribute to Charlie Chesterman. Executive Producer. Compilation to benefit Friends of Charlie Chesterman fund
2006 Waxfruit/Flicktracks Independent Music Library
2004 Pop Eye View: The Popstar Photography of John Soares, The Norva, Norfolk VA
SPECIAL PROJECTS
Soamel Pictures. Video collaborations with John Soares. Director, Editor, Photographer (2010-PRESENT)
Waxfruit® Arts Media, Inc. NYC-based not-for-profit established to connect & promote musicians & artists of various media. Co-founder/Board member (2006-2016)
Stereorrific™ Recordings. International underground independent record label/promotional support umbrella. Co-founder/Art Director/Producer/Artist (1998–PRESENT?). Directed photography and layout for artist branding, promotion, and packaging
Recordings vocals for Love Is Made Of Sky with producer Pete Weiss at Verdant Studio, Athens, VT. (Photo by Joel Mellin)
SONGWRITING / PERFORMING
2011 Three On A Match, Audio Recording, Stereorrific Recordings. A concept album inspired by Bette Davis films. With Neil Carlill (Delicatessen) and the late King Toad).
2010 Love Is Made Of Sky, Audio Recording, dpulse/Stereorrific Recordings. With John Clarke (Legendary Motorbikes), Doug Yule (Velvet Underground), Helen King and Steph Goodman (SHRAG), and Nichole Ferree (Orange Nichole). Produced and recorded by Pete Weiss, Joel Mellin, and Jeff.
2006 Skin & Bones: A Collection of Lyrics, Kolurmeim Press, Oakland CA, Anthology of song lyrics
2001 Good For A Gander, Audio Recording, Stereorrific Recordings
1998 Jeff Mellin Saves The World, Parts 1ne & 2we, Audio Recording, Stereorrific Recordings
1993-1997 The Eddies, Rock & Roll group
1994-present BMI affiliated songwriter and publisher
EDUCATION
Livingston College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick NJ
Bachelor of Arts with Honors
Major in English, minor in Political Science
Coursework in Art History and Fine Art
Editorial Illustrator, editor, and writer for multiple campus periodicals
Paul Robeson Honors Scholar