ou don ’ t become an accomplished artist by staying inside the lines . At least , not if your name is Linda
Schneider , a Liberty Lake , Washington resident and internationally known calligrapher , artist , and teacher .
Linda was constantly in trouble as a young girl because she drew on everything . She also didn ’ t stay inside the lines or go by the rules of color . In fact , almost from the time she was born , she would make a mark with anything she could hold in her hand . Now she gets paid to do all those things ― she is paid for writing on walls and working outside the box . things , drawing figures to show the correct way to throw hand grenades and how to identify various enemy aircraft .
Linda graduated with a master ’ s degree and teaching certificates for elementary and secondary schools . She taught art in Nevada and brought her wagonful of supplies to the schools . In the less affluent areas , the kids were especially excited .
Teaching at a high-risk junior high was rewarding . Linda had one class where half the students were Crips and the other half Bloods , so she learned a lot about gangs .
Despite her early artistic attempts on random objects in the home , her parents were supportive of her creative endeavors . Linda was shy about her abilities , but when she was ten , her parents entered one of her paintings in the 4-H exhibit at the Illinois State Fair . It won the top place .
She also had a lot of encouragement from her teachers . Linda studied the Renaissance period ― one of her favorites ― during high school . She learned much about the classical arts and the basic tools such as perspective , portraits , and proportion , learning how to do it correctly . “ I really believe in the classical arts ,” Linda said . “ When you have mastered the tools , then you can get outside the box .”
Throughout her life , Linda has had many unusual jobs . While still in college , she worked for a couple of sign companies and got into silk-screening . When her boss told her he had a client who was hard to please , she designed something inspired by Led Zeppelin , which the client liked . As a result , she was promoted and got her own office .
Linda landed a job at Fort Lewis as an illustrator — the job included , among other
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