Kristy's Story

       I haven't been in the art world long, but creativity has always been a part of

my life. I never fully lived it out until 2023, when God called me to quit my job.

I worked as a hairstylist for 5 years. Before that, I worked as a preschool teacher.

& before that, I was working as a CNA at Conway Regional and a couple of different

nursing homes. I love to look back at where God

had me in my life, preparing me for my future. Every step before was my own,

but God waste nothing. 

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          Growing up, I was very artistic, loved drawing and doodling. I always took art classes in school, but sports and friends overshadowed my true calling. I quickly stumbled into a bad crowd and started doing as much bad as I could. After 4 years of partying and drugs, God stopped me. I wrecked my brand new car, broke my neck, found out I was pregnant, had to try wedding dresses on in a neck brace, got married, and had my first son, Cloud. The reason God saved me from the wreck. I got pregnant with my next son, Adler, and started going to church with my sister, JoLeigh. My first marriage ended after 4 rocky years. I quickly found the love of my life, Caleb. God is so good for bringing us together, out of dark places. We got married in 2017. That's when I quit work and started cosmetology school. I loved doing hair and makeup! The closer I became to God, the more He led me to do things, I never thought I'd do. In, 2019, I had a sweet baby girl, Ellie. Covid hit and we started homeschooling. Then, we had another sweet baby girl, Savannah. We then felt called away from sports that were taking over our lives. To continue the "pruning" in my life, God called me to quit my job as a hairstylist. (John 15:2) For the next year, I wondered what my purpose was. Obviously, my most important ministry was at home with my kids. But, after a year of trying to pick up random things... cake decorator, tapestry, opening a boutique, calligraphy, and so many I can't even remember... I decided to sketch a drawing of Cloud, while they were doing schoolwork. I was pretty amazed at myself, so I did Adler next. Then Ellie, Savannah, Caleb, and a self portrait. I then decided to watercolor with the kids. I watched some videos and kept coming across acrylic painting. I ordered some on amazon, along with canvas panels. I just started, right there in the kitchen, with my kids doing school.  What a blessing it was!!! To have a creative release, in the comfort of my home, in the presence of my kids, and a new way of worshipping our Savior and King. 

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          I sold my first painting in May 2023. I started doing commissions here and there (before I even knew what that word meant). I entered in my first art show that October. The Neighbors, an Art Show by Engage Management. I had zero expectations and was so ecstatic to be a part of the show. It was just an honor to have my paintings on a wall, next to other artists, for people to see! The award ceremony started and again, I was just excited to see which paintings won because the whole show was just incredible! (That's when I truly fell in love with "art gallery" idea) Caleb started recording, in hopes of me winning an award. I was just embarrassed that he was holding a phone up, because there was no way I was winning anything!!! I seriously had zero hope for that. I just was happy and content in the crowd. Well, this describes our situation... me as the artist and Caleb, being my biggest supporter. I could not do this mentally, physically, anything without him. 

They got to the last award, the "People's Choice Award," and he is still holding the camera phone up. They call "KRISTY LINVILLE" and I just couldn't believe it. I was speechless. It was the most incredible night and my husband got it on video. My "Sunset on Greers Ferry" won and then my mom, Julie, bought it. Another huge supporter of mine, that I'm so thankful for. Shes become quite the art collector. I went on doing more and more commissions. Spring 2024, I felt like painting was taking over my living room.  So, I had a little studio for a short time at Mary’s Nest in Springhill, then a tiny studio in downtown Conway. God has allowed me to learn so many lessons through this journey. Fall 2024, I entered that same art show and the EXACT same thing happened... I won the "People's Choice Award" for my "Lion and the Lamb" painting. It was another incredible night.  For the next 4 of months, I was dreaming of having a gallery!! I was looking for places downtown, because I thought, that’s where the art scene is starting to bloom. I felt like I was running into one wall after another. I felt complete rejection. I knew about an art collective starting up at Pickles Gap Village. My plans were to be a part of that collective… twice. It never went anywhere. So, one day as we were passing by the infamous creek, that my boys love to explore in, I looked over there and remembered the building that the collective planned to use. There was still no one there. I decided to lift my head back up and reach out to Kathy, the owner of Pickles Gap Village. I sent her a voice message so she could hear in my voice, the specific plan I had, because it wasn’t like the others and I thought if she doesn’t want my plan, that’s totally fine! Well, her response was let’s meet to talk. WHEW!! I was like “God… ok. If this is not where I’m supposed to be, let this meeting fail. Im OK and content where I am.”The meeting… perfect. Bill and Kathy were great!!! I felt like the decision was made before I stood up to go look at the building. 

Two weeks later, we became an LLC. Every single step, every random item that we needed, amounts of money dropped into our laps, and prayers… I have a story about how God has orchestrated every bit… He has provided EVERYTHING. This gallery is bigger than me, or any one of the artists. The vision here is for God to get the glory. When I became an artist, I was shocked at how “dark” the art world and most artists were and I didn’t want to call myself an “artist,” if the perspective of artists is “dark and weird.”

 But God… He has led me to an understanding of what art is for me and what it can be for the world around us. He led me to other artists, who are like me and want to shine light into the world. Art can be a healing place and a worship. He only gets the glory because this was HIS PLAN, and not mine. He proves that by providing in more ways than I can count. My prayer is that everyone that experiences the gallery, leaves here inspired and with a desire to seek God, as their Savior. 

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