Melanie Taylor Kent is an American artist. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she was raised and has spent most of her life in Southern California. She won her first National Art Competition at age 12. She graduated from the UCLA School of Art and taught art in the Los Angeles City Schools. In 1980 she started her own publishing company and has published a series of art chronicling America by depicting famous streets and famous events. Her artwork has been licensed to Warner Bros., Disney and Hanna-Barbera.