Melissa Benson

Melissa Benson is one of the original twenty-five Magic: The Gathering artists. Much of her work is recognizable and highly memorable due to the era she was prolific. She primarily uses Dr. Martin's water dyes and color pencils for cards, but prefers oils. Her palette is typically compromised of vivid, flamboyant colors. Outside of Magic she has worked for White Wolf, Iron Crown Entertainment, Black Dragon Press, and Z-Man Games amongst others. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Illustration from the Paier College of Art in Hamden, Connecticut.

Benson was last active during Urza's Legacy before she stated "they (Wizards of the Coast) became a corporate giant." She is currently living in Shelton, Connecticut with her husband Joseph Jacouzzi. She will take paid commissions for original artwork and redesigns of her existing artwork. She remains in contact with other early Magic artists including Ed Beard Jr., Quinton Hoover, Amy Weber, Richard Kane-Ferguson, Mark Poole, and Jeff A. Menges. She has expressed a desire to collaborate with Quinton Hoover and return to Magic.