Immortalise summer with Maria Francesca Melis’s print, which was included in Your Home and Garden’s February 2026 issue, as part of our Year of Art Series. Her breathtaking illustration is a rich and thoughtful depiction of the end of the warm weather, as told through the lens of her upbringing in Sardinia.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your art.
I’m an illustrator, currently based between Sardinia and New Zealand. My work is rooted in the visual language of my homeland, its botanical forms, folk decorations, colours and traditions. I love blending these influences with a contemporary sensibility and creating pieces that feel nostalgic but fresh. I often draw inspiration from everyday beauty, memory, and our emotional connection to home, whether creating editorial pieces, posters, packaging, or personal illustrations.
What was the inspiration behind Summer?
This work is a very personal tribute to Sardinia and to my mother. Every August, my family prepares sun-dried tomatoes, a tradition I grew up with and one that still immediately evokes the feeling of summer for me. The illustration is also inspired by a Sardinian tomato brand my mum still uses, called Antonella. Its vintage cans and labels have always been part of our kitchen landscape. The piece blends memory, family rituals and Sardinian visual culture. It’s a warm celebration of summertime, tomatoes and home.
What draws you towards illustration as a medium?
Illustration allows me to tell stories visually in a way that feels both intimate and expansive. I’m drawn to the playfulness and flexibility of the medium, because you can capture nostalgia, emotion and a sense of place with just a few lines, colours and textures. It’s a way for me to translate memories and cultural references into something tangible and shareable. I love that illustration can be both art and communication at the same time.
Where in the home would this print look best?
I imagine Summer living in a kitchen. It celebrates good food, family traditions and the joy of cooking together – all the small moments that make a home feel alive. I hope it adds warmth, colour and a touch of Mediterranean sunshine to the space.
Discover more of Maria Francesca Melis’s work at her website: francesca-melis.com.
Read more:
- Meet Alison Leauanae, the artist weaving heritage, memory and identity
- Rug-tufted Kiwiana: Kim Lawrence’s colourful creations offer a walk down memory lane
- Artist Bella Foster on colour, creativity and her love for Palm Springs
