Today we’d like to introduce you to Lyn Marler.
Hi Lyn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Since I can remember, I have always had a passion for art. When transitioning from high school to college, I always had expectations of going to a university for a college degree and put my passion to the side in order to conform to societal standards. My freshman year of college I struggled with deep depression due to trying to navigate a new chapter through the pandemic. I was working so hard to obtain a degree for a life I couldn’t even see myself living. I attended three different schools with the hope that each location would give me joy. Society defines success as going to school for a 4-year period, getting a 9-5 job, having children, balancing work and home life, and repeat. I cannot begin to describe the feeling of constraint I had, knowing what I wanted to do, but being told that what I wanted was not going to bring me success by everyone around me. After much reflection and putting myself out of the perspective of what everyone wants for me, I said “screw it”. Screw societal standards.
And then I became my own standard. Lyn. A person of hopes and dreams. I want to be the inspiration for others. I want to motivate my surroundings to further explore their interests/hobbies. I believe I am the outlier. I am proof that happiness can be found when staying true to yourself and knowing that your dreams can become a reality with hard work and perseverance.
In January of 2022, even though I had come so far, I realized my life was still not in the direction I was so desiring. I decided to stop everything, be still, and reconstruct my life in the way I wanted it to look. I quit my daytime job and all other projects I had conspired to dedicate all my time to my passion of art. I made what felt impossible, possible, and now I’m flourishing and I want to see everyone around me flourish by being inspired by my story. Within the past few months, I completely built my brand from scratch… lyndarlings.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
As I am just getting my business started out, my biggest struggle has been investing. The past few weeks has been a never-ending cycle of grinding by selling artwork and investing into more art materials for my business. I have been exhausted and overworked but I am fully driven by my passion. While the majority of my money is not going back into my pocket, I am so happy to be investing into something that will have long-term joy for me. Watching my skills as well as my business grow and receiving never ending encouragement is what makes everything so worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an artist that likes to work with all mediums. My biggest strength is sketching with ink, but I enjoy painting the most. I also love sewing, event planning, and marketing. While I like to create using different materials, I am working on expressing my style through each individual piece. I love creating very feminine artwork as well as incorporating meaning. Throughout many of my pieces you will see hidden lotus flowers. Below is a poem I wrote back in 2021, describing how I felt stuck using a lotus flower seed as a metaphor to represent me.
A little seed beneath the surface,
The seed feels safe and sound
But in reality, the seed is stuck
In darkness of the mud underground
If only the seed knew
How it would bloom if it just saw the light
The little seed confuses happiness with the familiar mud,
because the mud keeps the seed snug n’ tight
And don’t blame the mud
For keeping the seed trapped,
The seed should be the one whom is blamed
For choosing the mud to adapt
The seed, at any point
can choose to escape.
But only on its own motivation
May the seed allow its lotus petals to take shape.
– Lyn
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
Book: Greenlight by Matthew McConaughey Podcast: Anything Goes by Emma Chamberlain
Pricing:
- Prints: $15
- Personalized House Commissions: $30
Contact Info:
- Email: lyndarlings.art@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.lyndarlings.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lyn.darlings/
Image Credits
Alix Averitt
