Glamography Magazine aims to feature everyday women and their stories. Our mission is to give these women the opportunity to break out of their day-to-day, get glammed up a little, and celebrate their true, authentic selves. This is Lynnsey's feature from Issue #3 of Glamography:

From Rural Roots to Artistic Awakening

Lynnsey's story begins in rural Missouri, where she grew up amidst a religious and conservative family. The expectations placed upon women in her community were limited, where traditional roles such as stay-at-home mom, teacher, or nurse were highly celebrated. Women in the community were strongly encouraged to follow those life paths as it supported the religious expectations of the family structure. 

Despite these constraints, Lynnsey's artistic spirit found a way to express itself. She recalls, "The thought of me making money painting for a living was like a fairy tale growing up. It definitely didn’t align with the conventional view that I was raised with. That was something that only happened in movies."

Determined to forge her own path, however, Lynnsey left her hometown for Springfield, Missouri, seeking a college degree and fresh start. She pursued a teaching degree, a path that was approved by her family, while simultaneously embarking on a journey of self-discovery and artistic exploration.

The Power of Mentorship and Self-Belief

Lynnsey's artistic journey was not without its challenges. She initially felt inferior, comparing her self-taught skills to those of formally trained artists.

“I haven’t had an art class since sixth grade, but I always had an interest. It wasn’t until I was in college, and found myself without access to my normal coping mechanisms, horseback riding and creating music, that I picked it up,” she says.

“I was in the beginning stages of deconstructing my belief systems and soul searching, and I realized I needed an outlet. At that point, I had just started dating my then-boyfriend-now-husband, and mentioned, ‘You know, I think I want to paint.’ He simply responded with, ‘Okay, then paint.’” I didn’t think about it anymore. 

“Then, he showed up the next day to my dorm with a big smile, an easel, a canvas, paints, and said, ‘You just have to start.’ Even though I had no idea what I was doing, and didn't feel confident, I started painting secretly in my dorm room.”

At this time, Lynnsey absorbed everything she could online using Pinterest and YouTube to supplement what she learned in elementary school. “I continued to paint through my feelings. Sometimes I didn’t have the words or the tools, necessarily… I just had a relentless driving force to get the picture I had in my mind out, to get those feelings out and expressed. It was essentially me healing through my art,” she shares.

Lynnsey painted on and off throughout college and in the middle of her teaching career when a pivotal friendship with another muralist, Sam, helped her overcome her doubts. Sam became a source of encouragement. Lynnsey admits. "I was like, listen, my art level is elementary, I have no special training, nothing." However Sam, recognizing Lynnsey's natural talent, continued urging her to pursue her artistic dreams. Lynnsey began to embrace her artistic identity and find her artistic voice. 

From Dorm Room to Full-Time Artist

Lynnsey's artistic endeavors gradually gained momentum. Her paintings caught the attention of friends and family, leading to commissions and requests for murals. She embraced these opportunities, painting murals in her mother's school and realizing her passion for large-scale artwork.

"I love to paint big," Lynnsey says of mural painting. "Bringing my art and skills to such a large scale just makes my inner child squeal with absolute glee.”

“What got me started doing murals was just something by chance. My mom, who was a superintendent back home in northern Missouri, asked if I could paint some things at her school. I was like, 'Why not, I'll give it a go… Fast forward and now one of my specialties has become painting murals on playgrounds. It’s such a beautiful picture of my seven years teaching and where I'm headed as a muralist combined.”

With her mural and art business starting to gain traction, Lynnsey started to evaluate her work life balance, meditating about who she wanted to be in all facets of her life. "I really started to take art seriously, because I knew teaching wasn’t aligning with who I wanted to be. This really hit me hard after my son was born. I realized that after long days of teaching middle schoolers, my son only got the last crumbs of his mom at the end. I wasn’t satisfied with that being my reality or his for the next 25 years. So, I began to work harder to create a life where I wrote something different.”

Balancing her artistic pursuits with her teaching career and family life was a constant challenge. Lynnsey often found herself working late into the night, painting after her son had gone to bed and waking up early before heading to school. However, she remained committed to her art, driven by a desire to create a fulfilling life for herself and her family.

After two years of juggling her various roles, Lynnsey made the bold decision to quit teaching and pursue art full-time. This decision was met with disapproval from some of the people around her, who saw art as a hobby rather than a viable career path. However, Lynnsey remained undeterred, confident in her ability to succeed.

Embracing the Entrepreneurial Spirit

Transitioning from a traditional career to a freelance artistic path required Lynnsey to develop new skills and embrace the entrepreneurial spirit. She had to learn about marketing, social media, and accounting, all while honing her artistic abilities.

"Honestly, creating your own business is a never ending mental marathon that you aren’t prepared for," Lynnsey admits. "It really just, is… So, you have to tell yourself who you want to be from day one. My example, 'No, I'm not an inspiring artist. I am already an artist. I am a business owner. I'm starting my journey, but I am already where I want to be.'"

Lynnsey's entrepreneurial journey has been a process of continuous learning and growth. She has embraced the challenges, recognizing that success requires more than just artistic talent.

"It takes an abundance of courage, boldness, self-love, self-confidence, and the willingness to learn new things, because you're going to have to pick up more than just your artist skill," Lynnsey explains. "You're going to have to learn social media. You're going to have to learn marketing skills. You're going to have to learn the budgeting and accounting side of things. Most importantly, you're going to have to learn how to ask for help and possess the unwavering determination to learn whatever you need."

The Power of Community and Collaboration

Throughout her artistic journey, Lynnsey has found strength and support in the community of fellow artists. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration and sharing knowledge, recognizing that everyone's journey is unique and valuable.

"I'm happy to sit down and have coffee and share everything," Lynnsey says. "I'm very open about my life, my beliefs, and my business, because I don't want anybody to ever feel like they have to do it by themselves or that they are the only one, because that’s never true. There's always somebody in your boat."

Lynnsey's collaborative spirit extends to her interactions with clients. She strives to create a positive and inclusive environment, ensuring that her clients feel heard and valued. "I just want to support people’s happiness and positivity," Lynnsey explains.

A Message of Empowerment and Authenticity

Lynnsey's story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to pursue one's passions. Her journey from a conservative upbringing to a full-time artistic career is an inspiration to anyone who has ever felt constrained by societal expectations or self-doubt.

"I am already where I want to be," Lynnsey asserts, “and I’ll continue learning and fighting to be here.”

Her message of empowerment and authenticity resonates deeply, encouraging others to embrace their true selves and pursue their dreams with unwavering determination.

"Be patient with yourself. Be patient with your business. It's not going to blow up overnight as much as we would all like it to, it's really not," Lynnsey advises. "I would still consider my following pretty small, but it's also still enough for me and my family, which is my goal."

Lynnsey’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of art and the unwavering spirit of those who dare to pursue their passions. Her story reminds us that we can create a life filled with purpose, creativity, and joy no matter what our background is. She left with this, “The grandest achievement you can ever behold is to be proud of yourself for the simplicity of who you are and the bold life you create - no matter what it looks like to anyone else. So, fight for and live your dream.” 

To see more of Lynnsey’s work and watch her journey, you can follow her page, Art by Lynnsey, on Facebook or Instagram. To contact her about booking murals, storefront windows, and other commissions, you can email her at [email protected]. 

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