Melissa Hagerty was born in Louisville, KY and earned a B.A. in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Her creative journey as a visual artist and musician brought her to travel extensively around the United States and Europe, until she eventually answered the call to Maui, HI to paint and explore Haleakala. After her initial introduction to the mauna, she knew she needed to spend more time getting to know this sacred landscape and now calls Haleakala her beloved home. Through oil painting on wood, she is able to connect more deeply to the history, culture, beauty, and spirit of the lands she is inspired by.

Through her natural mixed-media experimentation, Melissa also creates lunar landscapes and 3D sculptural moon phases. Her unique inventive style uses a blend of all natural materials including beeswax, tree resin, oil paints, and hematite volcanic crystal on wood.

In her commissioned work, she enjoys the collaborative effort of bringing another’s creative vision to life and creating one of a kind pieces that are used as tattoos, logos, murals, book illustrations and other meaningful projects.

In her pen and ink work, she embraces the challenge of drawing moments that are more metaphorical, feeling-based, elusive and spiritual.

The "Sea of Nectar" is a small lunar sea found on the map of the Earth's Moon.  It is also her 501c3 that seeks to provide opportunities for more Heart of the Hive weaving workshops, sustainability-inspired artists, organizations and communities in need; the Sea of Nectar is a co-creation of creativity, beauty, unity and healing. A percentage of all work sold goes towards the Sea of Nectar’s creative initiatives.