Linda Childers
Artist
Creating…
In a recent conversation I was finally able to put into words something I’ve known since I was a child.
While admitting my struggle to find the inspiration to paint a complex, commissioned watercolor piece that I was asked to do many months ago. The other person said, “It’s hard to get inspired.”
I immediately realized this truth (at least for me) and replied: “It’s not hard to get inspired; it’s hard to get inspired… on demand.”
I am inspired by the simplest of things, sometimes many times in a day: birds at my feeder, a floral photo on Instagram, or even a quote that longs to be shared on my canvas. But until my brain figures out how to go from ‘You need to paint this’ to ‘I know how to paint that’, there’s no point in picking up a brush or pastel stick.
And while I wanted to create a fabulous piece of art for my client, and I wanted to have dozens of finished pieces for Wildflower Gift Gallery and a June art show, I couldn’t solve the puzzle of how to do them…on demand. Even when the demand was from me.
I decided I needed a break from painting… just for a few months.
I’m back. Painting like crazy. I’m restored, enthused, inspired. Here are photos of a few finished pieces, with more in progress, and many canvases prepped and patiently waiting for me.
And that watercolor? I’ve finally figured it out, and I’ll share it here. Soon.
As you can see, my website is “Under Construction”. Please bear with me.
Thanks for following along, Linda
The Herd
My recent challenge for a fall painting was…
Create a Marshall painting that a man would like.
I googled ‘buffalo herd’,
and this image was my favorite:
The colors were dull but I liked the sunlight effects, and
the sense of movement was perfect,
I was also excited at the limitations of this photo…
because I’d be able to add elements
which would be my own artistic choices.
Here’s a close up…
I decided to paint with pastels,
chalk-like sticks of pigment that can impart vivid color,
and add something that screamed Marshall and football.
Here’s the result:
Signed and numbered giclee prints in a variety of sizes
both framed (for your convenience) and
unframed (so you can finish it your way)
can be purchased now at Wildflower Gift Gallery.
Also available are reproductions on
gallery-stretched canvas in multiple sizes
like this one hanging in the Holiday Inn.
Thanks for following along,
Linda
Limited Edition Art Cards
In 2015 during a particularly difficult time in my life,
many friends reached out to me with gestures of love,
and I wanted to thank them.
Nathan, my step-son, brought me flowers,
so I painted this watercolor…
Then Office Depot made inexpensive prints on cardstock,
and I found BIG envelopes to mail these “Art Cards”.
I wrote my expressions of gratitude and love on the back
and mailed these thank-you-note-pieces-of-art
to my sweet friends.
I’d been thinking about creating my Art Cards again,
and had even ordered little easels to include in the envelopes…
Three weeks ago
I asked, Judy, the owner of Wildflower Gift Gallery,
if I could create a display with my original art and Art Cards
for her shop, and she said, “Yes!”
I found a discarded flag stand in a 14th St West shop…
And paneling that looks like rough-cut lumber…
Painted a sign…
and lots of art…
And with my husband’s carpentry skills
we created this two sided display…
Oh and I made little baskets for the cards
out of this stuff called hardware cloth…
I absolutely LOVE being creative.
btw…I’ll be changing the Art Cards every Friday,
and I’ll take suggestions on what to paint!
More info coming!!
Thanks for following along,
Linda
My Wood Panel Prints Are Ready!
Finally after months of working on this plan,
my very first wood panel prints are ready!
Here’s what I did:
First I stained the sides of 12″ x 16″ wood panels
different colors, like this green…
Then I mounted prints of my bison pastel painting on top.
Last, I attached a hanger and a label.
I’m super excited about how they turned out!
I did the same thing with my pastel painting
of Old Main in two sizes: 10″ x 10″ and 12″ x 12″.
And today,
I delivered them to Red Caboose and Wildflower Gift Gallery.
Tomorrow they’ll go to Hidden Creek Mercantile in Hurricane,
and Eggplant Gift Shop in Charleston.
More designs are coming soon, as well as prints of these…
I’ll keep you posted!
Thanks for following along,
Linda
Old Main with a New Look
I created this watercolor of Old Main in 2015,
and I still sell giclée prints of it in several gift shops.
I recently painted Old Main in pastels,
(I added a watermark to the photo:)
but what I’m excited about are new display options I’m creating
for those looking for a print that’s ready to hang.
Here’s an example: a 12″ x 16″ print of my bison pastel
mounted on a 1.5″ deep wood panel.
Soon, I’ll have multiple options in area shops,
and at Art in the Park in May!
I’ll keep you posted!
Thanks for following along,
Linda
Capitol or Capital??
I’m at the Capitol (building) …
in our capital city (Charleston)
frequently these days…
so I decided to paint it…
twice!
I probably should have painted the Kanawha River view…
with a reflection…
I’ll do that next time!
Thanks for following along,
Linda
I’m in love with pastels!
So I did this pastel piece a couple of years ago…
And shared the story here.
Like many artists,
I enjoy trying different forms of media…
and I wrote about that in my little art bio last year, but..
I’ve been primarily focused on watercolor for a while,
and I even made the Kanawha Metro.
However,
after recently completing several commissioned pieces in pastel, and
studying with some pastel artists online…
Sorry watercolor, I’m now in love with pastels!
I’m super excited to be participating (for the first time) in
Art in the Park
this coming May!
I’ll have my original pastels, prints, and framed prints (ready for your wall).
I won’t be taking commissions for the next several months,
so I can focus on the show.
Thanks for following along,
Linda
