EXCLUSIVE ARTIST COLLECTION: MELISSA KOBY
“I want each person to be able to see some part of themself in this beautiful, hopeful Siren.” —Melissa Koby, artist
For Jamaican-born artist Melissa Koby, it all started when she was four years old. Her mother gave her a paint set and easel as a gift, and Melissa fell in love with art. She hasn’t stopped creating since, her art becoming her own way of healing and expressing herself. She says she has only been brave enough to call herself an artist since 2020, but she’s made up for lost time. Now based in Tampa, Florida, Melissa’s work stretches across the world.
“I love that Starbucks has a dedicated art program that serves to nurture artists globally through collaborations.” —Melissa Koby, artist
Perspective, Color, Story & Style
Starbucks Reserve believes working with talented artists like Melissa connects us to the humanity that surrounds us all. Each creator brings their individual perspective, story, color and style to our spaces and our community to be shared. “Every time I walk into a Starbucks, I look at the art on the walls, on the mugs, etc. and am excited to discover new artists I am unfamiliar with. It reminds me that there is room for the unique talents of real people and they are being given a fair chance to shine,” said Melissa.
Working in a combination of watercolor painting and digital illustration, she feels it is important to create positive, inclusive work. Connecting with and empowering women is a constant theme, and our Siren is no exception. Drawing on memories of time spent hiking in the Pacific Northwest alongside her husband, Melissa says her collection embodies “The connection we have to nature as well as a sense of hopefulness and togetherness.”
“My illustrations are a direct reflection of how I feel.” —Melissa Koby, artist
Melissa Koby Collection
We’re honored to collaborate with Melissa on this new, exclusive Starbucks Reserve collection celebrating our Siren as a symbol of welcoming and belonging. “I interpreted the Siren the way I always try to illustrate people, as a figure full of confidence and hope.” she said. Her goal? A beautiful Siren that each person is able to see some part of themselves in.
PEACE, HOPEFULNESS & HUMAN CONNECTION
Melissa’s Siren appears as a stunning natural figure, part of the mountainous landscape. Her hair cascades in rows of deep green adorned with flowers, her golden crown shining alongside the sun. The collection includes a t-shirt, stainless steel cold cup, boxed mug set and more, all in Melissa’s signature style. Be sure to take home a piece of this beautiful, limited offering, available exclusively at Starbucks Reserve Roasteries and Stores.
Every artist we are fortunate enough to work with shows us all a new view on community, a new perspective on everything that is going on around us. As we cultivate these connections, we inspire curiosity and empathy inside our stores. With this collection, we send a piece of that out into the world to be shared.
