Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lyna Knight. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lyna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I learned early on that making your path in this life, career, and happiness, comes with risks. I moved to Tampa Bay from a small rural town many years ago, taking a clerical position with a company I knew very little about. I learned the business and opened a title insurance company several years later. After many years, I sold the business and took the biggest risk of all and began farming blueberries. My partner and I learned everything we could about farming and making a living off the land. During this time, I was afforded some free time during off season and took up watercolor classes. I am now semi-retired from farming and spend most of my time painting. I’ve had success in major national watercolor society exhibitions and won numerous awards. I am in a fortunate position that I don’t have to make a living from painting so I am free to pursue my watercolor skills without the pressure of sales. Without taking the risks that I have over the years, I wouldn’t be in the happy place I am today!

Lyna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

After many years of corporate work, majority being in title insurance, I took a huge leap (and risk) and started a blueberry farm. I grew up in a rural farming town and this felt like home although it was a challenge. My partner and I continued our corporate jobs while expanding our farm. When the time was right, we both became full time farmers and put away the business suits for good. Farming is not for the faint of heart and we made certain that the farm ran efficiently and kept expenses in check. We are most proud of the care that went into our farm locations and the quality of the crop that we grew. Every year, after our commercial season ended, we opened the farms to the local community to pick your own blueberries. We have recently downsized the farming operation and now open for “you” pick during the entire season. We are extremely proud to offer a beautiful farm atmosphere and quality produce to a huge following of customers throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Farming is a career that has offered me “off season” time to pursue my dream of art. I became interested in watercolor painting about 10 years ago and started my journey to learn everything I could with this medium. I took many workshops, watched youtube videos, and painted during any free time I had. My art journey has been rewarding but has also come with many rejections. I continue to learn with every failed art work and embrace the successes…that’s just how the journey works!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

There’s not one particular story that was the turning point in my career but I will say that each time there was a setback, the focus became stronger to move ahead. Along with perseverance and timing, I have been fortunate that many things went my way. First and foremost you have to believe in yourself. If you have a dream, bring it to life…see it, feel it, live it. Things that are easy aren’t the most rewarding and success is fleeting in the journey.

When I started farming, it was hard…very hard, but I knew we could do it if we had the desire. And we did, so it happened. It was not always successful. Each year brought challenges…some out of our control. Bad weather, market declines, new disease challenges….the list is long. If you face those challenges head on and accept what you have no control over. Creativity in all forms of business brings success. Figure out the best path and implement it, even though it might not be the easiest one.

My art career was also a dream, one that I wanted really bad! So I started with the cheap paint and paper and began to paint. One painting led to another…one failure led to a successful one and I continue to thrive with each piece of artwork I paint. The best advice I ever received at a workshop with a well known artist was, “paint what you love!”

So my advice to anyone struggling with which direction to take in your career or life is ask yourself….what is my passion? What brings you the most joy? Then find a way to do it every single day and you will never regret it.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

As I have “matured” in life, I realize that there is no time to waste in the pursuits that make me the happiest. When you are young, time seems endless and we tend to take it for granted. My goal now is to become the best watercolor artist I can be, learn everything there is to know and put it to work in my art. I want to travel and find the inspirations for my paintings and make them come alive. I am more interested in personal success with my painting rather than financial success. There are many happy starving artists out there….but the key word is “happy”. Do what you love and the rest will follow…..

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lynaberryfarms.com https://www.watercolorsbylyna.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynaberryfarms/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynaberryfarms https://www.facebook.com/watercolorsbylyna

Image Credits
Lyna Knight