Embarking on Eudaimonia; with Melissa who writes The Art and Life of a Wildflower

An Intimate Interview Series on Life's Big Questions by Ta Hiron

If you want to experience the beauty of nature and the depth of human experience, go no further than the words and art of Melissa, The Sleepy Wildflower.

Over at The Art and Life of a Wildflower, Melissa shares her poetic journey, offering a soft landing place for her thoughts and inviting readers into her world with open arms. Her creative endeavours include poetry, photography, emotive artwork, and encouraging words, all designed to lift spirits and provide a sense of tranquillity.

Melissa’s work is more than just art; it's an invitation to find solace and peace, to see beauty within the cracks of darkness, and to feel a profound sense of connection. Whether you’re a fellow artist, writer, or someone drawn to her whimsical and heartfelt creations, Melissa welcomes you to join her on this intertwined journey of life and art.

If you could distil your life philosophy, what would it be, and why is it meaningful to you?

Be true to who you are.

All of my life, I’ve been an outcast. In elementary, I was the one swinging by myself at recess because no one wanted to play with me. In middle school, I was the one who people pointed and laughed at because I was deemed as the weird, quiet and quirky girl. In high school, I was the one my peers called an Oreo; black on the outside, white on the inside. My mama also called me names that made me feel like I was less than. No matter how hard I tried to fit into the moldings of everyone else’s ideas of what and who I should be, it was never good enough. I was still that weird, quiet and quirky girl who walked alone with her head hanging low.

I can’t believe that I tried to change myself so that people would like me.

We are all beautiful and possess a uniqueness that is our own. Those who can’t see it, aren’t meant to. There will absolutely be people who will see it and will love you even more because of it. There will be people who want to play hopscotch with you, people who will laugh with you and people who will call you by your precious given name. And there will definitely be people who walk alongside you.

Am I still weird, quiet and quirky? Absolutely. But I’m also a wildflower. And I wouldn’t change any of it for anything.

Can you tell us what it means to be a wildflower?

I believe that we’re all wildflowers here. Growing every little bit of wildly and freely, despite the earth-trembling storms. We’ve gained unintentional scars and bruises along the way and endured deliberate mending and healing. We close our eyes to find peace in the world. We embrace who we were, who we are and who we have yet to become. We don’t need permission to bloom. Brave souls we are. We don’t wither away like we once did. We stand tall and we face the fierce winds.

Can you share a bit of your process when it comes to your art?

I step up to the blank canvas with no idea of what the final outcome will be. A blank canvas is always intimidating. For that reason, I haphazardly create marks and scribbles to “rough” it up as an invitation for more imperfections. I then allow the pastels to lead the way and something beautiful slowly unfolds before my eyes. It’s sometimes an emotional experience because every art piece has a story to tell, whether it be happy or sad. My art pieces always speak to me and I serve as a vessel to get their stories out into the world.

Can you share a pivotal moment or experience in your life that sparked your passion for art and writing and made you realise it was something you needed to pursue?

When I was seven years old, I wrote my first book. It was made out of tattered and torn red construction paper held together by staples. I used a green crayon to draw pictures and to write the words that were likely spelled wrong with letters that were written upside down. I don’t even remember what the book was about, but I remember being proud of it. I let everyone read it. The “oohs” and “ahhs” were palpable. One of my aunt’s friends read it and appeared to be especially delighted with it. So delighted that she asked me how much the book was. I told her that it was $20. She gasped with shock, but she bought it. She bought a 6-page book that was barely legible from a seven year old little girl who didn’t know what to do with $20 besides buy candy. This was a pivotal moment for me as I realized, then, that my art and words had value.

You left your job in December 2023 to pursue your art full-time and have written about the challenges of this decision. How are things going now?

I’d like to say that everything is smooth sailing and that I’m making a living from my work, but that’s not true. It’s hard. My husband is working 70+ hours a week to make ends meet. I’m currently looking for a part-time job so that I can contribute something to my family and our household. I’ve always heard that everything falls apart just before everything comes together. I think that’s the phase we’re going through right now. I’m hopeful that everything will work out in our favor.

What is the most important piece of advice you've gotten while navigating your artistic journey?

Be patient and keep going.

My husband has been whispering those words to me over and over again. He sees how hard this journey has been, but he also sees the potential in me. He believes in me more than anyone else ever has. His words are the gentle nudge that I need on days that I feel defeated.

Are you currently working on any projects?

Yes! I am in the process of creating art prints from some of my original art pieces. They will be available on my website on August 3rd, 2024.

What book has been the most impactful for you to read?

Feck Perfuction by James Victore.

Please include here any other social media sites we can find you on:

Website: thesleepywildflower.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thesleepywildflower

Any final thoughts to leave us with:

Allow yourself to be wildly and freely you.

A direct link to subscribe to Melissa is at the end of this page.

Thank you so much Melissa, for this generous share. I couldn’t agree more that in embracing our unique qualities, they become a source of strength. Roughing up our canvas as an invitation for more imperfections is some of the best artistic advice I have heard; I love it! I feel this too, especially when starting a new journal. With little ones in my life now I have asked them to draw in it for me and I absolutely love their inhibited pen strokes, it really does help me get started.

Your Aunt’s friend has a place in my heart. It was so wonderful to hear how she bought your first book, showing you support and encouragement. And thanks for sharing so openly about your journey through life and, more recently, the reality of the work involved in making a living from our art. I also dream about it and have had to keep working while I create. For me, I know no matter the outcome I will be glad I gave it a go. Here is to us all making it.

I have really enjoyed your art since coming across it here on Substack, and I am excited to share it. I look forward to seeing your upcoming art prints because I find the longer I spend with each piece, the more it reveals. 

That info again; Melissa’s newly released prints are out on August 3rd at her website: thesleepywildflower.com

Thank you for encouraging us all to be wildly and freely ourselves.

All photos were taken by Melissa.

P.S. Embarking on Eudaimonia signifies a journey towards living a life of fulfilment, purpose, and flourishing.

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We are all beautiful and possess a uniqueness that is our own. Those who can’t see it, aren’t meant to.

Melissa, The Sleepy Wildflower