Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Hood.
Hi Melissa, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always loved creating. I grew up here in Nashville in a family of small business owners, my dad ran a wire rope supply company and my mom had a plant business. In the summers, I’d spend hours at my dad’s office. With nothing but paper, scissors and glue around, I would invent and build things just to pass the time. I’ve always been drawn to making things from what I have, finding inspiration in unexpected materials.
I also love stories and personal history, though I’m more of a visual storyteller. I’m fascinated by how an object or material can hold layers of meaning, how we can all look at the same thing, but the story we know behind it makes it richer and more personal. That’s why I work the way I do now: layering vintage maps, newspapers, magazines, songbooks, and more into my work. These scraps carry their own history, and when pieced together, they tell new stories.
In 2020, I took the leap into being a full-time artist. What began as small commissions has grown into larger works for collectors, interior designers, and public spaces. I’ve been fortunate to show my work at Artclectic, the Harding Art Show, and with the Nashville Artist Collective. At the heart of it all, my work is about storytelling- connecting people to a place, a memory, or a feeling through layers of history and texture.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The art world isn’t always a smooth road. It can be a little obscure, and in the beginning, it was challenging to connect with my audience and find my own artistic voice. There’s no clear path for starting in this business, it’s a lot of trial and error. And sometimes, a lot of error.
I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so when the ideas in my mind don’t come out the way I imagine, it can be frustrating. Most artists know we’re our own worst critics, and the goalpost for “success” is always moving. There’s no scale, no correct answer, just the constant challenge of making work that feels true and meaningful.
Time is another big hurdle. My work is incredibly detailed and time-intensive, and I’m also a mom and wife. With four kids and their activities, life stays busy. Finding the uninterrupted time to fully immerse myself in a project is often the biggest challenge, but it’s also what makes the moments in my studio so valuable.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a mixed-media collage artist, and my work is all about layering materials with history and meaning. I use everything from vintage maps, songbooks, and blueprints to modern magazines, painted papers, textiles, and even bits of packaging. I love that each piece whether old or new carries its own story, and when layered together, they create something entirely fresh.
I’m best known for detailed animal and nature portraits, as well as large-scale works that connect to a sense of place. Recently, one of the projects I’m most proud of is a life-size 3D paper tiger I created for University School of Nashville. Made entirely from repurposed paper like Amazon boxes, newspapers, magazines, and more. This paper tiger sculpture took six weeks to complete. At the October 2024 Artclectic show, he was an instant hit with the kids, who lovingly named him Peabody Jr. He now lives in their school library, and seeing how quickly he became part of the school’s “family” was one of the most rewarding moments.
What sets my work apart is my approach to storytelling through materials. I’m not just creating an image; I’m weaving together pieces of time, culture, and memory into something new. It’s art that feels both rooted in history and alive in the present.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
That’s a hard question! So many things! It’s the small, unplanned moments that make me happiest. The ones that step into your life and, for a brief time, make you grateful for the existence of it all. It’s driving with my family, listening to everyone talk over each other, and then later giving in to the kids’ begging for Waffle House after a long drive. It’s sitting on the porch with my husband in that perfect pink evening light, our dog curled beside us. It’s a long walk with a great book in my ears, or stepping back from a finished project in my studio and simply taking it in.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.melissaellenart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaellenart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556425571151
