About MJ (Mel) Densham

Mel was born in 1947, in Oshawa, Ontario. Mel attended high school at R.S. McLaughlin Collegiate in Oshawa, and early on, demonstrated his talent in both art and art history classes. With that talent and passion, Mel applied to the Ontario College of Art, hoping to hone his skills and develop into a professional for the commercial art market. Unfortunately, acceptance into the College didn’t happen so the paint brushes were put aside and Mel turned his sights to the business world where he worked and enjoyed a successful career in retail management and marketing.

Over the years, Mel completed a few sketches for friends and family and often thought of painting once again. In 2012, on his 65th brithday, Mel received a gift card for some art lessons and art supplies from his family. It was then that the creative juices began flowing again.

In 2014, at the age of 67, after officially retiring from the corporate world, Mel enrolled in art classes at the Kensington Art Supply and studio in Calgary and began honing his skills as an artist. As it turned out, his finished work was recognized by many as quite good. He was able to sell his art, and began concentrating on building an inventory of landscapes, impressionist work and other images that interested and excited him.

During a 2017 fall art sale and exhibit, a collaboration with fellow art class enthusiasts, Mel was delighted when he sold five of his works the first evening.

Today, many of his acrylics on canvas are proudly displayed in his art studio at home, in the homes of family and friends and are finding their way into homes of appreciative buyers.

Mel hopes to inspire others who have dreams of pursuing their goals but may be facing challenges. In 2008, Mel was diagnosed with Parkinson’s but does not let that prevent him from pursuing his life-long passion.

Mel resides in Calgary, Alberta, with his wife, Audrey. They have two sons and daughters-in-law, Christopher & Alicia, and Ryan & Sophie and and 4 grandchildren, Stella, James, Brielle, and Kyra.