creative highlight
MEMBER from our community
KRYSTAL BILBERRY
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Krystal Bilberry views art as a light for finding joy. She is interested in how colors play together on a canvas and connect with the inner spirit to express the beauty in the world. Mark making, layering and simplicity come together in her paintings to reflect the joy she feels deep inside – which is why her current works are signed “JoY!” on the front. Every brushstroke is a prayer of grace and a deep desire to worship God through creating. Krystal is most drawn to florals because they feel like the energy of God’s joy. When she beholds all the colors, complexity, and playfulness of flowers she is immediately inspired to create. For Krystal, holding onto light and joy are a part of who she has always been. She grew up in an environment that presented many hardships and challenges, so in turn she became a seeker of light, a lover of the good, and a student of joy. Krystal, the first in her family to attend a four year college, has a BFA and an MEd from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. She and her husband live in the coastal area of Southeast Virginia with their four small children.
Instagram: krystalbilberryart_
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://wellandwondercollective.com/collections/krystal-bilberry
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/krystalbilberryart
Instagram: krystalbilberryart_
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://wellandwondercollective.com/collections/krystal-bilberry
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/krystalbilberryart
Can you tell us about your introduction to art? How did you know you had a creative gift?
I have always been drawn to art for as long as I can remember. I have a memory from the first grade where the class was supposed to draw a picture of our teacher. My teacher liked mine so much that she asked me to make three more copies so she could frame them and gift them to her family for Christmas. Art has always been my happy place.
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
I always wanted to be an artist as I grew up. Of course, I was constantly told that I should choose a different career path. My undergraduate degree is in Interior Design, and my graduate degree is in Counseling Psychology/College Administration. Yet still I have found myself selling art, the thing I’ve always wanted to do.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have in explaining what you do to others who don't find themselves in a creative background or field? Like family/friends/strangers?
This is such an interesting question. I find that so many people are interested in my pursuit of a creative career, especially as a mother of four. Creative journeys are on-trend right now, so I find that people are inviting and excited to hear about it.
I have always been drawn to art for as long as I can remember. I have a memory from the first grade where the class was supposed to draw a picture of our teacher. My teacher liked mine so much that she asked me to make three more copies so she could frame them and gift them to her family for Christmas. Art has always been my happy place.
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
I always wanted to be an artist as I grew up. Of course, I was constantly told that I should choose a different career path. My undergraduate degree is in Interior Design, and my graduate degree is in Counseling Psychology/College Administration. Yet still I have found myself selling art, the thing I’ve always wanted to do.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have in explaining what you do to others who don't find themselves in a creative background or field? Like family/friends/strangers?
This is such an interesting question. I find that so many people are interested in my pursuit of a creative career, especially as a mother of four. Creative journeys are on-trend right now, so I find that people are inviting and excited to hear about it.
How do you encounter the Lord in your creativity?
Art is an offering to God in worship. It’s because we were made to create, so a call to create is a call to worship, it’s not about selling or what people might buy. To create for God is like a small child painting a gift for her father, you know He’s going to be pleased and make a big deal of it. Not because it’s perfect or a masterpiece, but because he “made” her and she made something for him. Even if no one would buy it, God would totally put it on His fridge! My art is a snapshot of the conversations I’m having with God, they are more like colorful prayers than paintings.
What are your favorite ways to express your creativity?
Painting is my favorite of course! I like to say that, “A call to create is a call to worship.” I am constantly inspired and flooded with ideas for paintings, but I’m not always able to pick up a paintbrush. So, if I feel inspired but cannot stop to paint, then I will turn up worship music and sing and dance unto the Lord. I even have “worship ribbons” (colorful ribbons on a wand) that I move when I dance my heart out unto Him. My kids like to join in as well and they love it. I also like to use a prayer journal, meditative prayer in the Spirit, heartfelt poems or just being still with Him.
Is there more than one creative outlet for you? Do they all come together or totally separate?
I love all things creative. I’m mostly drawn to painting, but I love interior design, party planning and crafting as well. Planning parties feels like making a live painting because I get to choose colors, themes and make it really special. I can’t get enough of the joy of celebrating life! As far as crafting goes, this summer my seven-year-old daughter and I are building a dollhouse together and I really get excited to work on it every day with her.
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
God is calling me away from social media. He wants me to follow his unfiltered inspiration instead of being constantly flooded with ideas from the social feeds. I hear Him calling me into the quiet stillness of simply creating with Him without outside influences. I hope it will lead me to an even more unique and authentic style of art. It’s so hard to actively leave social media though, but I will follow His lead.
How did you become productive and abundant in your artwork/and where do you see it going from here?
I became productive by joining an online group of creatives (Tricia Robinsons God Made Girl Club) and being creative everyday - even if it was just dance worshipping with my ribbons. I became “abundant” in my artwork when I followed The Spirit on an abstract journey...I had been making floral paintings and then one day I made a quick and fun abstract. When the painting was finished, I heard a voice within me say, “You’re getting warmer!” I knew it was The Spirit because I had been praying for my floral paintings to communicate the joy I felt inside on the canvas, but I hadn’t been able to do that yet. After I painted this abstract, I followed the voice and created abstracts every day for a month. When I came back to painting flowers they became abstract florals full of energy and joy! Then an online gallery offered me a contract. From here, I see myself growing in my style, continuing to work with the online gallery and a licensing company and perhaps local brick-and-mortar galleries as well.
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
First, get a business license and take a business class (usually offered for free through your city).Second, find like-minded and kind artists whom you admire and ask them lots of questions. I have set up phone calls and meetings with artists to learn from them. So many are willing to share their insights – no one has ever told me “no”. Feel free to email me and I’d love to share the little I know. Lastly, create and then create some more. Pray through the process, listen for The Spirit and keep growing forward.
How do you juggle your business/family/social time?
This was really hard with COVID quarantine and four children nine and under. However, I painted in the early morning, during naps and when they went to bed. When I received the gallery contract I started taking four day trips away to an Air BNB or resort to finish my collections. Now, God has provided a studio space and an affordable nanny so I can separate the business from my daily life which will help me to grow as an artist, wife and mother. Apps like Marco Polo have helped me to maintain many friendships during 2020/2021, and my best friend and I have a standing weekly girls night out that we make a priority.
Any encouraging words, words of wisdom from what you've learned to help other creatives on their journey to being abundant and thriving artists/creatives/makers?
Keep creating, ask questions, stay inspired, pray through the work and give God all the glory!
Art is an offering to God in worship. It’s because we were made to create, so a call to create is a call to worship, it’s not about selling or what people might buy. To create for God is like a small child painting a gift for her father, you know He’s going to be pleased and make a big deal of it. Not because it’s perfect or a masterpiece, but because he “made” her and she made something for him. Even if no one would buy it, God would totally put it on His fridge! My art is a snapshot of the conversations I’m having with God, they are more like colorful prayers than paintings.
What are your favorite ways to express your creativity?
Painting is my favorite of course! I like to say that, “A call to create is a call to worship.” I am constantly inspired and flooded with ideas for paintings, but I’m not always able to pick up a paintbrush. So, if I feel inspired but cannot stop to paint, then I will turn up worship music and sing and dance unto the Lord. I even have “worship ribbons” (colorful ribbons on a wand) that I move when I dance my heart out unto Him. My kids like to join in as well and they love it. I also like to use a prayer journal, meditative prayer in the Spirit, heartfelt poems or just being still with Him.
Is there more than one creative outlet for you? Do they all come together or totally separate?
I love all things creative. I’m mostly drawn to painting, but I love interior design, party planning and crafting as well. Planning parties feels like making a live painting because I get to choose colors, themes and make it really special. I can’t get enough of the joy of celebrating life! As far as crafting goes, this summer my seven-year-old daughter and I are building a dollhouse together and I really get excited to work on it every day with her.
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
God is calling me away from social media. He wants me to follow his unfiltered inspiration instead of being constantly flooded with ideas from the social feeds. I hear Him calling me into the quiet stillness of simply creating with Him without outside influences. I hope it will lead me to an even more unique and authentic style of art. It’s so hard to actively leave social media though, but I will follow His lead.
How did you become productive and abundant in your artwork/and where do you see it going from here?
I became productive by joining an online group of creatives (Tricia Robinsons God Made Girl Club) and being creative everyday - even if it was just dance worshipping with my ribbons. I became “abundant” in my artwork when I followed The Spirit on an abstract journey...I had been making floral paintings and then one day I made a quick and fun abstract. When the painting was finished, I heard a voice within me say, “You’re getting warmer!” I knew it was The Spirit because I had been praying for my floral paintings to communicate the joy I felt inside on the canvas, but I hadn’t been able to do that yet. After I painted this abstract, I followed the voice and created abstracts every day for a month. When I came back to painting flowers they became abstract florals full of energy and joy! Then an online gallery offered me a contract. From here, I see myself growing in my style, continuing to work with the online gallery and a licensing company and perhaps local brick-and-mortar galleries as well.
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
First, get a business license and take a business class (usually offered for free through your city).Second, find like-minded and kind artists whom you admire and ask them lots of questions. I have set up phone calls and meetings with artists to learn from them. So many are willing to share their insights – no one has ever told me “no”. Feel free to email me and I’d love to share the little I know. Lastly, create and then create some more. Pray through the process, listen for The Spirit and keep growing forward.
How do you juggle your business/family/social time?
This was really hard with COVID quarantine and four children nine and under. However, I painted in the early morning, during naps and when they went to bed. When I received the gallery contract I started taking four day trips away to an Air BNB or resort to finish my collections. Now, God has provided a studio space and an affordable nanny so I can separate the business from my daily life which will help me to grow as an artist, wife and mother. Apps like Marco Polo have helped me to maintain many friendships during 2020/2021, and my best friend and I have a standing weekly girls night out that we make a priority.
Any encouraging words, words of wisdom from what you've learned to help other creatives on their journey to being abundant and thriving artists/creatives/makers?
Keep creating, ask questions, stay inspired, pray through the work and give God all the glory!