Hi, I’m Melanie Faith Dove, the artist behind Lost Dove. Welcome to my online gallery of collectible original artworks and limited-edition prints.
Once a Professional Photographer, but since the relentless Covid lockdowns of 2020 + 2021 (sigh), I fell in love with painting. Now I’m wanting to share the joy of my every growing artistic obsession and practice through sparking creativity, promoting benefits and inclusivity of art in the broader community.
Photographically, I’m best known as the author and photographer of High Country Cattlemen and Best Mates, and as co-author of Working Dogs. Over the past 25 years, my photography has appeared in countless Australian and International publications, with numerous book covers along the way — a personal favourite being Bud Tingwell’s biography, BUD: A Life. I’ve also featured as an author and photographer for OUTback, Graziher, The Herald Sun, Australian Geographic and BBC Wildlife magazine.
From 2002 to 2013, I worked at The Age newspaper, photographing news, features and food. Throughout my career, photography has taken me across remarkable landscapes and into rare and remote cultures, with a strong focus on animals, people and the natural world – all in the pursuit of visual storytelling. Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to learn from industry legends and work with outstanding organisations such as Children First Foundation, Vets For Compassion and Yothu Yindi Foundation — opportunities that continue to shape my artistic practice.
While photography was my profession, art has always been my obsession.
I was one of a small gang of contributing photographers for the coffee-table books The Mallee and The Wimmera, published by Ten Bag Press (2020 & 2021), celebrating the characters and landscapes of rural Victoria.
It has been a joy of mine to teach many successful Photojournalism students over the years at Photography Studies College (2009-2010) and The University of Melbourne’s Centre for Advancing Journalism (2019-2021).
Although I’m not one for awards (seems everyone has one these days!), I believe professional integrity matters. My work has been recognised with several awards, including the National Portrait Gallery People’s Choice Award for Face of South Sudan (2013), and the Monash Gallery of Art Bowness Award People’s Choice for Cowboy Kids. My portrait Living Back Home was selected as one of only 30 international finalists in New York’s Charlatan Ink Art Prize (2011). Most recently, in 2025, I received the Katherine Town Council Award for my portrait of Moses Kelly, Reaching for the Sun.
Last year, 2025, I had the privilege of working in the remote Aboriginal community of Wugularr in Central Arnhem Land as the Art Centre Coordinator with Djilpin Arts — an experience that profoundly influenced my understanding of art, culture and community.
In 2026, I will be running many creative workshops and mini courses in Montmorency & Colac Victoria – contact me via e-mail at mfdove@gmail.com or via DM for more information or if you would like me to run a workshop in your area.
I’m really not that interesting, but If you’re still curious – check out my interview here: On The Couch by Australian Arts Review.
Whether you’re here to shop for a special piece for yourself or for a gift, I sincerely hope you find a something that inspires you; a treasure to enjoy for many generations to come. Alternatively, if you would like to commission a special artwork, request a custom print size or find out how to buy wholesale – feel free to contact me for a chat.
Join my Painting and Creative journey on Instagram or Facebook at Melanie Faith Dove.
