We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Melissa (Mimi) Hartley-Garner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Melissa (Mimi), thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you wish you had started sooner?
Sometimes I do wish I would have started cultivating my creative skills sooner but it was my experiences in life that triggered my creative awareness which led to me being an artist. I had just become a wife and a mother, I was working for a non-profit, I had settled into a life that looked like the “thing” people wanted out of life; The thing they tell you to strive for. And it is something you should strive for but, for me there was something missing. I tried to fill that void with all the usual distractions, alcohol, television, going out with friends when I could. Nothing worked, things only got worse. i know now, I was missing the ability to express my authentic self. I was inspired at one of my low points in life to begin journaling and making art on late nights, I took my journals and sketchbooks to work with me and I would create during my lunch breaks as well. It was those small moments that birthed the authentic life and creative career that I have now. For years I depended on my wild and sporadic creativity to keep me “sane”. I used that for as long as possible until in 2018, circumstances beyond my control forced me to make a huge change. I moved to the Dallas area from Houston; and that is where my cultivation of skill in my artistry began.
A new life emerged that allowed space for growth. Had I started sooner my abilities might feel common place like its just a job that I do. Because I started later I remember a life that didnt allow space for myself or my art. A life that almost swallowed me whole but I was thrown a life raft in the form of creativity and a chance to create this whole new life tailored just for me.
I sacrificed to grow in the skilll of drawing, photography, film etc. I sacrificed to grow in my ability to express me in my most authentic form. Looking back, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Because of my past life, I walk through this new life with full appreciation and a constant reminder to never take any of it for granted. So long story short I think Im right on time. Right where I am supposed to be.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am just a woman who walks through life creating and cultivating creativity in others. My personal experience has taught me the lesson of using my creativity as a skill in all disciplines. I am an artist of many mediums and I have combined my skills to create my own lane as they say.
In 2019 began self paced learning and development of my skills in the wild as I like to refer to it. I graduated Transformation Film fast track professionals program in 2024, I directed 2 short films with them which led to me directing other creative projects. I recently completed a course with Form Creatives at South Dallas Cultural center which culminated with an art show in which my work was showcased for the month of June 2025 at the cultural center. This has led to multiple opportunities as well.
As my “day job” I use my acquired skills to help small businesses cultivate and express the creative essence of their business through social media. The work always begins to cultivate creativity in their personal lives as well. I am essentially a content creator but its much deeper than that. Most business owners I work with have been in business 6-10 years and they just cant get the hang of thiss whole social media thing, But they have a great product or service with a beautiful story behind it, they just dont know how to present it.
I consider myself a shaman of sorts when it comes to the creative spirit; Because of this another part of my job is using my wisdom in this area to help women, mostly mothers get out of their own way and think more creatively about their lives and situations in order to make changes that benefit them and those around them. I do this by taking them through a process that cultivates artistic expression. Most women that come to me have lost their wild woman essence and usually feel like something is calling them deeper.
Lack of creative expression and creative thinking can be the root of so many issues that seem unsolvable in a person, an organization a family or a nation honestly.
It is my mission to inspire those I come into contact with to create authentically from the soul in life as a whole. Business or otherwise. When we think creatively we are able to use whatever we have on hand to create a solution to whatever problem we may be facing.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
We have been bread to believe false finish lines and microwaved success. We have all taught to choose a linear path and stick to it. Life is anything but linear. I think its only linear if you so choose to believe in what the main stream media has taught our generations.
Linear thinking and believing I was supposed to make it to some finish line by a certain time was the reason I still found myself searching after becoming a wife and a mother.
I wish someone told me that the whole point of this life thing was to keep creating in all its forms and collaborating with good people. Continuously building a life that changes and suits you as you “age”
You must create or you will die.
Most who see my journey and misunderstand it often ask “Why are you doing that”, Why is she in film school , why is she taking art classes? Why is she doing that?! My answer is “Im creating and soon you will see the masterpiece.” And at every level I can honestly say I have ended with a beautiful masterpiece to look at and keep creating from .
How did you build your audience on social media?
I have a small but loyal community of creative beings on instagram. I cultivated that community by being authentic and sharing the parts of me that live so vibrantly in my head. I used instagram as a way to connect with the parts of myself that were not so much needed in my life as a wife and mother. While washing dishes or doing some other chore, I would come up with creative concepts, thoughts and ideas etc. then, in my free time I would execute those ideas to the best of my ability and share what I created on Instagram. People liked it and it started conversations that led to real life opportunities and chances to grow.
I wouldn’t call it an audience, its more a connected collaborative support group. But if I were to give any advice approach social media will skill but all authenticity. Don’t be afraid to show your growth. Start now and let people see you progress. Thats real life and it builds real connections.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.honeylovesoul.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honey.love.soul/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BvoEpmyiT/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@honeylovesoul2471?si=xg7U7BwuC6l7YqrR
- Other: For my Creative Services
Honey Love Soul Creative Agency on IG
https://www.instagram.com/honeylovesoul_creativeagency?igsh=MTR0MTJuaDZubm95bQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
For my Creative Arts for welless information
Unfinished Soul
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/share/1BvoEpmyiT/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/unfinished.soul?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Image Credits
All photos are self portraits