Linda King has been a very active participant in the program over the past years. I'm so happy that she was willing to share her thoughts about her experience as an artist.
Artist Profile: Linda King
At what point in your life did you realize that you have creative talent?
When I was five or six I was always drawing in the dirt in front on the church outside my aunt's house. I had been separated from my siblings and my parents were in the middle of getting a divorce.
I guess drawing was my playmate.The first recognition I got was first or second grade.
My teacher offered to pay me a dollar if I would make a picture in a larger scale to the original. I had no interest in her proposition. It was not until I was fifty-nine that I realized I had a creative talent and began to attend art workshops at McAuley House. The encouragement and mentoring I received shocked me into a discovery of artistic abilities. Additionally, my art facilitators became my guides to seeking out a world of artistic masters and modernists.
What do you do to get into your creative zone?
Sometimes I listen to music. I also use art magazines as a jumping off point.
Do you ever create hidden messages or meanings in your work ?
I do sometimes locate an unintended direction. That excites me because I know I am going to create something original.
If you could change one aspect of our society through your work, what would it be?
I would like my art to inspire others to see beauty beyond their inner circle.
How do you know when a piece or project is finished and needs no additional work?
The work gives me an inner sense of resolution and completion. However that does preclude further development in the future.
Do you do anything special to get your "creative juices" flowing?
My creative juices flow continuously. Some people do not consider you an artist unless you have graduated from a prestigious art school. I also held that view at one time. With practice and self-study I have come to understand that this is absolutely not true.
Here are some of Linda's paintings from the past few years. Linda is not just a fine artist, but also a community artist. Her work honors the people around her, as well as the spirit and philosophy of McAuley House.
