Here's part two of our interview with the super talented Melissa Laine Scotton. Find part one here.
How did it feel when Kjersti Buaas rode your board design in the Olympics?
That still seems like a dream to me. Did that really actually happen? It was something I never even thought about. But it was amazing. She is such an awesome rider and I was totally blown away that she was riding my little watercolor graphic up and down the pipe. So insane. It's still hard for me to actually believe I'm doing this. Designing graphics for snowboards that are ridden by some of the most amazing ladies ever. Even as I say that now, I'm like, who me? No way. I feel so lucky and blessed to be doing what I'm doing. Having someone like Kjersti ride a board I did the graphic for is like icing on the cupcake...
Your Vans painted shoes are awesome! How much do they cost and how can we get some?
Awwww my poor painted shoes. That was my genius plan to make money for grad school. I really thought I'd have time to do school work and paint shoes. But I was soo wrong. Grad school took over my life and I had to put my dream of painting shoes aside. It's still something I really want to do, I still have like 20 pairs of blank slip ons in my parent's basement... it just might have to wait until next summer after I graduate. You can check out my site at www.school-shoes.org and email me if you'd like a pair. I was selling them for around $120 bucks.
Where's your favourite place to ride?
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to ride anywhere but the east coast. However, there are some amazing mountains that I've fallen in love with in Vermont. I love Jay Peak, it's so snowy and cold with lots of small back trails that go through the trees. It also has such a cute small town feel. It's not some huge crazy resort town like some mountains are.
What's your favourite colour?
Pink. you should see the kitchen in my new apartment. My roommate and I painted the walls to match with my pink kitchen aide mixer.
Why cupcakes?
I've always been a sweet sugary food addict. My love for cupcakes started when my friend got me a cupcake cook book. I started baking and I can't stop. I love making them for dinner parties and birthdays. I'm not the best cook, but I like to pretend I'm an awesome baker. My favorite cupcakes to make are these strawberry shortcake ones. I just love how fun they are to make, and how they are an instant mood-lifter. You can't be sad when you're eating a cupcake. Cupcakes embody all that is cute and good. How can you go wrong with that?
The girls scene is finally starting to get more recognition, have you noticed more girls getting into snowboarding?
I definitely think more girls are getting into snowboarding. I love going to the mountains and seeing girls push past the boys. I also love how companies are putting more money and resources into women's hardgoods development. Women specific equipment is so important in the progression of women riders, so it's awesome that more board companies are starting to realize that. I also love the amount of all-girl films that have been coming out lately. I think for the average girl snowboarder, being able to see other girls pushing the limits of what you can do while riding a snowboard is super inspiring. I'm excited to see what the future holds for women in snowboarding and I feel honored to be a part of it.
Thanks Melissa!
To find out more about Melissa and her work, visit her website design=love, and her super cute blog, snowflakes and cupcakes.
