PERSISTENCE AND perseverance are brushstrokes on the canvas of Allie Heffington Isbell’s life. In her sunlit studio, Allie’s art, inspired by rural life, features Hereford, Longhorn, and Highland cows in floral fields. These pieces find homes as wall art, prints, and various items in her showroom, sharing space with other wildlife and gentle creatures typical of the region. Seasonal art and decor with a touch of whimsy lighten spirits and spaces. It’s all in a historic storefront, an ideal backdrop for Isbell’s creative work and vintage charm.
It’s here that she can also see behind her and dream into the future.
“I started dreaming of an art career when I was very young. [It was] not always what others would call a practical dream, but I was pretty persistent that it was what I was going to do,” Isbell said confidently.
Her earliest artistic whispers weren’t wildflowers and trucker-capped Herefords but dresses. That interest provided the kinetic energy for a lifetime of art, the first colors on the palette of her journey to painting the life she loves.
“I believe that was just one of the ways I fell in love with being creative,” she shared.
Dreams take flight when they ride on wings of support. From the encouragement of her high school art teacher to the full investment of her parents in her dream, Isbell made art part of her everyday life. The focus of her paintings grew as she did into a light-hearted reflection of her childhood and her life today.
She pointed out, “As you can see in my art, I’m a farm girl at heart. I am inspired by my rural surroundings and love to paint farm animals the most. When I started painting to sell my work, I loved to paint cows, and that catapulted me into learning more about my style and how I liked to paint. To this day, I love to paint cows more than any other animal, and I don’t plan to stop. My husband and I have a small herd of cattle, and they serve as inspiration for many of my pieces.”
She passionately highlights the importance and necessity of agriculture.
“I want to bring light to just how important agriculture is and how we need it for our future,” Isbell emphasized. “I grew up on a sheep farm, so I’m no stranger to living on the farm.”
Her personal beliefs inspire her art.
“You’re almost always going to find a painting of a little white church or lyrics from an old hymn in my store or with me at a show.”
In the early years, Isbell sold her work through a rented booth and art shows on the road. Still, she yearned for a space of her own. A storefront for rent on the square provided space for a showroom and a studio in 2020. The direct sales experience further fulfilled and motivated her.
Then, another door opened.
“I soon bought the historic building I’m in now that dates back to at least 1857. Old things have always been another thing I have loved. You’ll find that a lot of my staging pieces in the store and when I travel to shows are vintage,” Isbell stated.
Still, she dared to dream wider.
“I can remember walking through the aisles of Hobby Lobby as a younger me thinking, ‘How in the world did they get their art in here? Can I do that one day? When will it be my time?’ It became my goal to be represented by a licensing company and make it into a store like that, so I decided just to keep working harder.”
Her time was January 2023 when a marketing representative requested a meeting. By July, she received word that Hobby Lobby chose her Highland cow for its stores.
“It was hard for me not to be emotional because I was ever so thankful to God,” Isbell said. “I had to keep that secret for a good while because I wanted to tell my social media following once they could see it in stores.”
An Instagram follower from New York announced the first sighting. The secret was out.
“On Dec. 18, I was able to see it in person with some of my family at the Tullahoma store. That’s when it really sank in — I was in Hobby Lobby! That was a pretty good Christmas present,” she said. “Then, a few days after that, I received news that they had placed an order for another piece. Seeing my art in a big box store like that is confirmation that I’m doing exactly what I am supposed to do. It made me so thankful for all those who rallied me along the way and made it possible.”
Isbell counts a village of support among her greatest blessings. Her parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, and extended family work the dream alongside her. Her husband, Thee, dreams her dreams with her and helps her make it happen, she said.
“A whole lot of painting, a whole lot of practice, a whole lot of love and support, and the Lord blessing me with the ability to do what I love brought me to Hobby Lobby’s shelves. The long days and nights paid off; the dream was worth fighting for. I hope they all feel proud because they helped me get on that Hobby Lobby shelf.”
To all the dreamers, Isbell said, “Don’t be afraid to dream those dreams that feel too big or crazy. If it happened to me, it for sure can happen to all those other crazy-talented people. Paint the painting, make the art. If it makes you happy, you shouldn’t let anyone tell you differently. It wasn’t always easy on my way to where I am, but most good things take hard work.” GN
