Letting Go of Control

In this episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh is joined by artist and community advocate Kristy Evans for a deeply moving conversation about letting go of control and embracing what comes next. Kristy shares her remarkable journey from teaching to art after unexpected health challenges reshaped her life, and how creativity became both a healing practice and a path toward self‑discovery. Together, they explore the emotional landscape of career transitions, the grief, the growth, and the courage it takes to be new at something again. Kristy reflects on the values that continue to anchor her, the role of play and curiosity in rebuilding identity, and her passion for fostering community through art. Whether you're navigating change, seeking purpose, or simply learning to loosen your grip, this conversation offers honesty, encouragement, and a reminder that beautiful things can emerge when we finally let go. -- Kristy Evans is a mixed media artist from Indianola, Iowa. She began painting in 2019. After nearly 20 years as a high school English teacher and swim coach, Kristy left the classroom with health issues and pivoted into art: "Life Part 2." At age 49, she became a student, learning about abstract art, painting daily, and embracing a creative process that progresses through play. (*fabulous follow-up: health issues resolved!) Kristy has taken a wide array of online art courses. In Central Iowa, she has participated in many art festivals and shared her work in several libraries. In 2025, Simpson College hosted a solo show at the Art & Design Gallery in January; Ankeny's Art Center showed her work in June/July; "Iowa Artists on Display" in Downtown Des Moines at 801 Grand also features her work in two spaces. You can... Subscribe to her email newsletter (only 1 per month, promise!) at the bottom of any page on her website: http://KristyEvansArt.com Email questions to [email protected] Follow on social media: Instagram: @‌Kristy.Evans.Art Facebook: KristyEvansArt2