Meet LINA | The Architect

We had the good fortune of connecting with LINA and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi LINA, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I started the previous answer to this question paying homage to Birmingham, where I was born. In my heart, it’s where I’m from, but Nashville really raised me. Growing up here, I’ve been exposed to so much. I was raised in a very culturally diverse area, which is typically a poorer area and an area where people want to forget. I never forget. I never forget how so many differences made us all so similar. I never forget teachers who wanted to give odd ball kids and low income students opportunities. I never forget how even in rundown churches, faith would sometimes be paid more than your tithes. I respect everything Nashville has taught me. I was always a weirder or more unique kid. I challenged authority. I listened to every genre of music I could get my hands on. When you’re kid, you don’t really know just how big things are and how big these things can get. I look at them now, and I’m still thinking I have so much more to know. Birmingham gave me a story and a history, but Nashville gave me an opportunity to create my own.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Hmmm. What sets me apart. I actually look at myself like I look at others. I know that I have unique qualities, but anybody can do what I do. I guess it’s how I put it all together, but then, is that not the truth for anybody else? The only thing that would separate me from others is who I have behind me, people who support me. People who see differences in me that I may not see in myself. I so often say that anybody is a creator, but being an artist means that you have found a way to identify and celebrate the beauty or chaos in your creation. I’m such a romantic for life and for death. I want to create art in everything I do. This is my experience. I think my art, my music particularly, demonstrates that. I want to challenge people to go deeper. I want to breed this curiosity, which I believe breeds a conscience. It’s not been easy relatively, but I always look back so gratefully. It’s not easy to invest in yourself if you’ve never really known how to believe in yourself. What I’ve learned? I kill my creative spirit by comparison. It is really so much about confidence. I am very talented, but if I’m not confident, it doesn’t really stand. I have to be confident in delivery, connections, new beginnings, experiences. I really am my worst critic, but the flip side to that is I am my greatest supporter. Overall, my art is who I am in so many different ways. I do this because I want to hear and see myself and be proud of what I am. My art will always be objectively good to me, because I can see the whole picture. I think it’s getting others to see it that might be the challenge haha

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A week long trip?! LOL. I’m actually just now getting more familiar with different parts of Nashville. So much has changed there, but my agency has also changed as well. I’m way more open and able to do things I once couldn’t. I would suggest going to some nice restaurants— maybe the Pharmacy for a good burger, Another Broken Egg for some breakfast, some hole in the wall spots that you’d just have to stumble upon because google wouldn’t ordinarily suggest them.
I’d recommend going to clubs. I love going out. I’m a big club person. We’d definitely hit Play, maybe some spots downtown like Underground. I’d take them to Opry Mills for a mall experience. We’d go thrifting or to old media stores. If they wanted an aura picture done, I’d take them to Tertiary Sight. Then, we’d probably visit one of my friend’s shows and listen to some good ass music. These are cliche places, but I enjoy them. Keep in mind I’m just now getting around the city in the past year or so lol! I really haven’t been able to do much.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Ah, yes! I would like to shout the earth! Seriously, thank you for hosting me and giving me life. Haha. But also, big thanks to my family. It is more than a privilege to have people I can call family be active and excited about my life. Thank you to our first cat, Fancy. I’ll never forget you, baby. Thank you to my current cat NeoZuko, you came at the right time. Thank you to our dog, Petey, who reminds us how cute a pain in the ass can be. And I thank all my friends, ones who have departed my life and ones who have stayed. I thank former teachers, especially Ms. Friedland, for trusting your vision. I thank ANYBODY who put me on game in this industry or sent me a positive comment. I thank God always. And I thank my damn self, because I really forced myself to love who I am. And now I know I can trust myself to get me anywhere I need to be. I love you, Celina!

Website: https://linktr.ee/Linatheartist

Instagram: @lina.the.artist

Image Credits
Tv photo: @trusiifuu on IG