Glowing Abstract Mixed Media Paintings
Linda S. Watson, lindaswatsonartist.com, is an award-winning artist from the San Francisco Bay Area in California who now makes her home in Hawaii. Her abstract paintings glow with the iridescence that is found in nature’s colors and light. Translucent turquoise seas, fiery volcanic landscapes and starry nights serve as some of the sources for her to create her awe-inspiring works. Her art is owned by private collectors throughout the world.
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Crackle Nebula, acrylic and ink on canvas, 11″ x 14″ from the “Universe” series
She combines oils, acrylics and mixed media to create vivid and highly textured surfaces. Her paintings, that are inspired by the cosmos, the volcanoes of Hawaii, and minerals, remind us of the mystifying relationships we share with our natural environment. Her art serves as a metaphor for the intangible mysteries of life and the vast universe that exists beyond the realm of our comprehension.
For over 40 years Linda’s paintings have been exhibited in many one-person and group shows in California and Hawaii. Some of these galleries include the Palo Alto Cultural Center, the Hawaii Museum of Contemporary Art and the Mendocino Art Center. On the Big Island, she is represented by One Gallery and Volcano Art Center. She feels privileged to be part of the Big Island’s thriving art community.
Fire and Water, acrylic paint on tile, 8″ x 8″, from the “Visions and Dreams” series
Linda’s painting “Fire and Water” shown above, was selected for “The Healing Power of Color” 2022 juried exhibition, presented by The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS, an initiative of Manhattan Arts International.
As a classically trained artist Watson gained a strong foundation in the fundamentals of drawing and skills in composition. However, as her creativity evolved she gradually moved to painting abstract art, where she discovered a sense of unlimited freedom of expression.
As she explains, “Painting abstract art gives me the freedom to throw out all the rules. Abstraction allows me to tap into my feelings, intuition and inventiveness, and work in a more spontaneous manner. I enjoy a creative process in which nothing is ‘wrong’ and the joy comes from playing with materials, colors and shapes.”
Blue Fantasia, watercolor, acrylic and ink on paper, 6″ x 6″ from the “Visions and Dreams” series
Five years ago, Linda experienced a life changing event that completely changed the direction of her art. Originally known for her signature style of creating highly textured lava landscapes, she abruptly stopped that path and explains, “My life was disrupted in May 2018 by a destructive volcanic eruption in our neighborhood. It deeply traumatized me. The environment around me became a threat rather than a source of inspiration. I turned inward and began to paint the safer, imaginary landscapes in my mind, which resulted in my ‘Visions and Dreams’ series.” The paintings “Blue Fantasia” and “Fire and Water” are two paintings from the “Visions and Dreams” series.
Linda’s earlier works, created before 2018, can be viewed on her Facebook page. You’ll find a link below.
Some Distant Galaxy, watercolor and mixed media on paper, 8″ x 10″ , from the “Universe” series
Three paintings shown here, “Crackle Nebula”, “Some Distant Galaxy” and “Galactic Cluster”, in addition to the banner image “Bubble Nebula” are from the artist’s “Universe” series About this collection of works, she says, “Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii is home to some of the world’s largest telescopes. The images they capture are mysterious and haunting, filled with swirling cosmic clouds and stellar lights. The universe has a special meaning for the Hawaiians because they depended on the stars and constellations to navigate the Pacific Ocean. The images from our telescopes have deeply inspired me.”
Galactic Cluster, watercolor and mixed media on paper, 11″ x 14″, from the “Universe” series
In 2021, Linda was curated into the Circle Foundation online gallery as a featured artist. In that year her art was also selected for the Juried exhibition “Inspirational Art in Mixed Media”, presented by The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS.
In 2020 one of her paintings was accepted into the Light, Space and Time’s 2nd Annual “Primary Colors” Online Art Competition. She also won a Special Recognition Award in this show.
In 2019 she participated in “The Canvas Project” exhibition at the Brooklyn Art Library. All of the returned canvases were then featured to create the encyclopedia of a “global visual interpretation of words”.
Banner image: Detail of “Bubble Nebula”, ink and gold leaf on paper. 9″ x 12″.
Visit Linda S. Watson’s website: lindaswatsonartist.com
Join Linda S. Watson on Social Media
Facebook: LindaSWatsonArtist
LinkedIn: linda-s-watson
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Hariclia Michailidou says
I like your work, very beautiful!
Vicki Maguire says
a beautiful energizing color used in compositions…
Linda S Watson says
Thank you Renee for the wonderful page in your artist’s gallery!
Renee Phillips says
You’re welcome Linda! It’s an honor to have you as a member. Thank you very much for joining the new program.
Best wishes for your continued success, Renee