Hello, I'm Melissa J.
Born in Japan under the shadow of Mount Fuji, raised near a waterfall on her family's campground nestled in a wooded valley in Pennsylvania, PA, Melissa has always been involved in the arts. From piano and dance classes to falling in love with clay at a very young age, writing , dreaming and close contact with nature all nourished her wild and free spirit. Melissa studied studio art at Kutztown University for a brief time before deciding to get educated in a more organic way. She traveled to France where she lived for over 10 years learning Raku, teaching pottery to children and adults, apprenticing with painter/sculptor, Florian Diarra, and becoming a singer/songwriter and musician. She also studied the art of Ayurveda at Tapovan University for 7 years where she became an Ayurvedic massage therapist and certified Hatha Yoga instructor, all the while translating classes for the English speaking students. Melissa currently resides and creates in the heart of the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania. She is inspired by her ongoing quest for truth and getting down to the essence of things, by the beauty of Mother Nature, soulful music and badass ideas and people, along with her own personal and magical journey on this beloved planet.