Sqwid x True Stars NFT Partnership 🤝 Meet the 2nd Artist: Teresa Melvin 🎨

In the ever-evolving world of Web3 and digital art, a new generation of creators is making waves—and Teresa Melvin is at the forefront. As a young visionary, Teresa has carved out a unique space in the NFT landscape, blending storytelling with vibrant artistry to craft immersive characters and narratives.

In partnership with True Stars, Sqwid NFT Marketplace is thrilled to present Teresa as the second featured artist in our exclusive Sqwid Spotlight Series. Through her digital creations, she brings to life imaginative characters like Ava, Ramona, and Nymera, each infused with depth, personality, and a story waiting to be told. Her work has illuminated global stages, from Times Square to NFT NYC, and she has been recognized as Creator of the Year by MetAms Europe.

Beyond her artistry, Teresa is a passionate advocate for young artists, a dynamic Web3 speaker, and the host of Art ‘n’ Chat. In this YouTube Live series, she collaborates with professional creators worldwide. With her latest NFT launch on Sqwid, she continues to push creative boundaries, fusing celestial wonder with oceanic mystery in a piece that captures the spirit of True Stars and the Sqwid Marketplace.

In this exclusive interview, Teresa shares her artistic journey, the inspiration behind her NFT character Nymera, and her creative process. Plus, she reveals the one superpower she wishes she had to elevate her digital artistry even further.

Let’s dive in!

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background as an artist? How did you get into creating NFTs?

I’m Teresa Melvin, a teen artist, creator of the original characters Ava and Ramona, and host of my YouTube Live show Art ‘n’ Chat, where I collaborate with professional artists worldwide. I was also honored to be awarded Creator of the Year by MetAms Europe.

My art journey began at a young age, doodling stories and exploring different mediums and tools like Prismacolor, gouache, oil paint, Procreate, and Adobe tools.  In 2021, my dad introduced me to the world of Web3 and NFTs, sparking a realization: my passion for art could extend beyond creating art. 

Over the past four years, my digital artworks have been showcased in incredible places like Times Square, Amsterdam, Dubai, India, Bali, and so much more. I also discovered a love for speaking at Web3 events, both in person and virtually, and have been a featured artist & speaker in NFT NYC from 2021 to 2025.

Along the way, I’ve had amazing opportunities to create art to support young artists and charitable causes like Adobe4Kids and St. Jude’s Hospital, where I realized I can make a real impact by doing what I love! Throughout this journey, my characters Ava & Ramona have inspired me to collaborate with others and authentically be me, helping me grow as both an artist and a storyteller. 

Tell us more about your NFT character: who are they, where did they come from, and what special features do they have?

Nymera is a girl on Earth who’s deeply fascinated with the ocean and space, two mysterious elements that hold magic and extraordinary discoveries yet to be explored.

Unlike ordinary humans, she was born with a glowing star marked on her forehead, signaling a connection with the universe. Her long, dark hair reflects vibrant hues like the ocean, drawing her even closer to its tides. Growing up by the coast, she became friends with Coralina, a mermaid, who introduced her to the adventures of the sea. One day, while swimming with Coralina, Nymera felt a shift in the atmosphere, guiding her toward a brilliant light - a True Star!  

Can you walk us through your creative process for creating this NFT? How do you decide on the design, format, and other elements of your digital art?

I found it very exciting to combine two different universes, one celestial like True Stars and the other underwater, symbolizing the Sqwid Marketplace and Reef blockchain.

I always create thumbnail sketches with a pencil in my sketchbook, a treasure chest for fresh ideas. Even though this is a trial and error stage, rough sketching is the most important part of creating an artwork!

I experimented with different hues like dark blue and bright yellow, creating a dynamic composition using different brushes - thick strokes vs. fine lines, and flat colors layered with texture. I love creating characters like Nymera because there’s so much story to tell and express through her fierce expression, fluid actions, and through the interaction of different elements like water and light.

Lastly, if you could have any superpower to help you create NFTs, what would it be and why?

If I could have a superpower to create art and NFTs, it would be the ability to step into my artworks—like AvaRamona’s Atelier, the AvaRamonaVerse, or even my ‘Nymera’ artwork! How amazing would it be to interact with my own characters and feel inspired by their world? Hoverboarding across the AvaRamonaVerse with Ramona, getting cozy in the Atelier with Ava, or experiencing the magical True Star coming to Earth with Nymera would be an exhilarating adventure. Now that’s the magic of creating NFTs - sharing my imagination and creativity with others on a global level through art.

Teresa's special NFT, Nymera, goes on sale tomorrow, Wednesday, January 22, 2025, on Sqwid!

This special NFT was part of our new partnership with True Stars.