Rising Stars: Meet Melanie Headen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Headen.  

Hi Melanie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In 2002 I found a beautiful picture of my mother when she was in here late 20’s early 30s. She had a big pretty smile and her hair was in an afro. I really can’t explain why I wanted that image on a t-shirt I just did. I bought some fabric paint and paint brushes then I painted an abstract version of my mother. I signed the painting 10:5 because I wanted to mark it in a different way. I painted her image on t-shirts, sweatshirts, and jean jackets over the years but only shared them with close family members. My fraternal twin sister Wendy would ask me to paint her a shirt with “The Woman “on it. Although the painting was inspired by my mother, we always called her The Woman. In 2007 I left Cleveland, OH, and moved to Charlotte, NC. I stopped painting for a number of years just being in the cycle of working a 9 to 5. In 2017 I quit my job because a coworker touched me in an inappropriate manner and the company, I worked for did not handle it in serious way. Two weeks after resigning my mother fell and broke her leg so I moved back the Cleveland to help her recover. I was sad. angry and depressed because of what happened to me at work and having to come back home. I started to paint The Woman again as an outlet. it made me feel at peace, Painting is form of prayer for me. I continued to only painted for me and close family. Then in 2020 COVID hit and one day I just got an idea to sell the shirts. I made a Facebook and Instagram page then just started to post what I created. My sister Wendy suggested that reach out to our old friends from school to have them model the shirts and they did. That’s how The Woman 10:5 began. The Woman because that’s what we called her. 10:5 stands for October 5th our birthdate. Just recently I’ve started to paint Cleveland and other cities on t-shirts, sweatshirts, and jean jackets, they have been a hit. I’ll continue painting The Woman and whatever I am inspired to create. Now I know moving back home to Cleveland was a blessing. It allowed me to paint again and share it with people outside my immediate family. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
A small struggle was getting people to understand that each shirt, and sweatshirt. etc. is hand-painted and one of a kind. so, they will cost more than an average shirt. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in one-of-a-kind hand-painted apparel. I’m known for my hand-painted afro woman t-shirts. I’m most proud of finally gaining the confidence to share my creativity with others. What sets me apart from others is I just create my own personal style, my own flare, I don’t have a vision of what I will create, I just paint until I’m happy with the image. 

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I would advise those who are just starting out to be open to ways of improving your work. Also, if you are creative then just create without focusing on what people may think of your work. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @thewoman105

Image Credits
Dwayne Perkins