Featured Artist Linda French

Surrounded by nature, Linda French is inspired to paint the essence of the natural beauty around her. Learn more by visiting her website.

 

“Of Trees I” Acrylic on Paper, 18” x 24” by artist Linda French. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Of Trees I” Acrylic on Paper, 18” x 24”

 

I cannot remember a time when I did not want to be an artist. As a child, nothing thrilled me more than paint-by-number sets, crayons, colored pencils and finger paints. I would go to my room and paint or draw pictures for my parent’s friends when they came to visit. It was my way of being seen in a world where I felt invisible.

 

“Golden State” Acrylic on Canvas, 28” x 22” by artist Linda French. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Golden State” Acrylic on Canvas, 28” x 22”

 

Life got in the way of my dreams of painting. My parents rejected the idea of me majoring in art at college, refusing to help me if I did. So I minored in art instead.

 

“Iris and the Monarch (Butterfly)” Acrylic on Canvas, 36” x 36" by artist Linda French. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Iris and the Monarch (Butterfly)” Acrylic on Canvas, 36” x 36″

 

Upon graduation, I worked as a secretary and bookkeeper to earn a living. It wasn’t until I took a photography class at a community college that I started to focus on art again.

 

“Shaman’s Land” Acrylic on Canvas, 36” x 36” by artist Linda French. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Shaman’s Land” Acrylic on Canvas, 36” x 36”

 

Photography taught me a lot about composition, values and other elements that relate to painting. When I began to earn money from event and aerial photography, they became my vocation and it was then that I was able to attend Pasadena Art Center College of Design and devote more time to painting and drawing.

 

“Stardust” Acrylic on Paper, 36” x 36" by artist Linda French. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Stardust” Acrylic on Paper, 36” x 36″

 

Over time, my art moved from realism to abstraction as I realized the desire to express what I feel versus what I see.

 

“Summer Solstice” Acrylic on Canvas, 28” x 22" by artist Linda French. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Summer Solstice” Acrylic on Canvas, 28” x 22″

 

I work mainly in acrylic on canvas and paper, and my work is inspired by what I see on daily walks with my dog. I am surrounded by the beauty of flowers, mountains and trees year-round, so their essence is what shows up in my work. This is usually subconscious, as I have nothing formulated in my mind when I start. Occasionally I will decide to paint a landscape, which for me is drawing a line on the canvas to denote the horizon line. After that decision, the rest is up to my imagination.

 

“Stormy Weather” Acrylic on Paper, 21” x 21” by artist Linda French. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Stormy Weather” Acrylic on Paper, 21” x 21”

 

I start with a lot of scribbles and gestures. This is so freeing for me, and while a lot of it will be covered, the energy remains below the surface, resonating through the piece.

 

“White Bird of Paradise” Acrylic on Canvas, 36” x 36” by artist Linda French. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“White Bird of Paradise” Acrylic on Canvas, 36” x 36”

 

Painting allows me to play and to discover the mysteries of myself. It allows me to express beauty, which is so important to me, and it has taught me acceptance.

 

“Thru Tall Grass” Acrylic on Canvas, 40" x 30" by artist Linda French. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Thru Tall Grass” Acrylic on Canvas, 40″ x 30″

 

I am no longer as tentative about making what I perceive as mistakes when I work, realizing that the painting can become richer from every brushstroke I make. I feel this applies to other aspects of life as we layer one experience on top of another.

 

“Sun in Leo” Acrylic on Canvas, 36” x 36" by artist Linda French. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Sun in Leo” Acrylic on Canvas, 36” x 36″

 

Today I am like a child again, exploring my world of thoughts and feelings through my art. I feel I have come full circle and am at last in the happy place of doing what I was meant to do.

 

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Comments

  1. I am so impressed by her work. The titles of her work are precisely accurate and make it easy for the beholder to recognize. Love her story and glad that she was able to return to her passion. It would be a crime for her to ignore her obvious talent.

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