Art Chowder: Did you ever consider becom-
ing a professional photographer?
Linda: No. My passion has really been
animals, and if you want to be a wildlife
photographer, you’ve got to get the
perfect photo. I don’t need the perfect
photo, I want to create the perfect
moment.
Art Chowder: I understand you work
exclusively in oils.
Linda: Yes, mostly Rembrandt paint,
which is ground pigment in linseed oil
and no fillers. This paint is considered
“juicy” so I don’t need to use any
diluting medium with it and can keep the
colors as vivid as I want.
Art Chowder: Have you experimented with
other things, like watercolors, or pastels?
Linda: No, not really. When I first
decided I wanted to paint I walked into
an art supply store and said, “I’d like to
paint.”
And the gal there said, “Okay, what
medium?”
I said, “I don’t know.”
She said, “Well, what about oil?”
And I said, “Okay, that sounds really
good, and I’ll need that thing you paint
on. “
Art Chowder: How long have you been painting?
“A canvas?” Linda: I first hit that art store in 1990 but I only did six paintings until 1996. In ‘97 I
“Yeah, yeah, one of those. And then
there’s that thing you mix paint on.” had my first show and went full time in ‘99.
“A palette?”
“Yup, yup one of those, and then there’s
that thing that you lean the canvas on.”
“An easel?”
“Yup, one of those too.” And then I just
came home and started painting.
Art Chowder: So you truly were a novice!
Linda : Hahahahaha yeah. That’s true.
She probably thought I was out of my
mind.
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ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE
AC: You’ve traveled extensively. Where was your favorite destination, and why?
Linda: Yes, I’ve been to all 50 states, 39 or 40 countries, and all seven continents.
Each has its allure: the expansiveness of Namib Desert with its towering sand dunes;
the remote Manitoba tundra in autumn with a polar bear strolling past your willow
blind; the culture and museums of Florence; the thrill of watching gentoo penguins
feed their young in Antarctica. I have had so many moments it would be difficult to
choose. But, if pressed, my favorite “destination” would have to be home.
Here, in a home my husband and I built on 12 acres, we are surrounded by nature
populated with deer, wild turkey, grouse, pileated woodpeckers, northern flying
squirrels, and the occasional moose. When working on a painting in my studio, I can
relive all my adventures — and think up new ones.