Flora, Fauna and Mystical-the Art of Linda
Gilbert
By Bob Gilbert
 |
Linda Gilbert
"Fit For a
King" |
The July exhibit at the Gourgaud Gallery is a
one-woman show featuring the acrylic paintings of my wife, Linda Gilbert. The show is entitled “Flora, Fauna and
Mystical”. The Show will run from July 8-23, 2012. The Artist Reception is July
8 from 1-3 PM. As a special incentive,
on the day of the reception, a small matted painting is being offered for free
with the purchase of any larger hanging painting.
Here is a
little background about Linda – she taught art to New York City public school
students for thirty years and retired in 2003.
During her career, she was so busy teaching art and being a mom (and
wife) that she did not have much time to devote to her own art work. That all changed after she retired, as
evidenced by this current outstanding (totally unbiased opinion) exhibit.
Now I will let Linda speak for herself. Here is a Q & A with
Linda:
Q: This is
your second exhibit at the Gourgaud Gallery, the last one being almost two and a
half years ago. How has your painting
style or approach changed since the first
show?
A.
I believe that my painting
style has become less inhibited than it was before. Although I started to lean
towards doing some mystical or surreal paintings, I have expanded on that
concept. Even my realistic paintings reflect a certain “fantasy” that did not
quite exist before. This is more my “cup of tea” - using my imagination -
getting into the twist of the unknown.
Q: What are your favorite subjects to paint and how
do you select them?
A.
I still photograph
scenes, objects, buildings, and people - whatever I see that can possibly make
an interesting subject matter. They may not always be interpreted as the photo
dictates, but they are definitely sources for paintings. I love doing landscape,
cityscapes and an occasional Still Life. Sometimes, these paintings have a
little twist of fantasy to them. My web site is divided into categories of the
different subject matter that I paint.
www.PaintingsbyLinda.net.
Q: You have amassed a lot of paintings over the
past several years, more than can fit in the current exhibit. How do you decide which ones to enter into
the show (other than asking me and doing the
opposite)?
A.
The decision is very
difficult. I did an experiment once, sending 25 painting images to 25 friends,
asking which paintings they think would appeal to the masses. I received 25
different answers. Selecting paintings is very personal to the artist and the
buyer. There is no accounting for taste -it is an individual choice. I ended up
choosing a wide variety of subject matter, so there is a wide range of choice.
Q: I have seen you devote a lot of time to
painting. Can you describe what you
enjoy most about it?
A.
Painting is relaxing for
me. It gives me a sense of accomplishment and joy to see what I can do with a
subject. If I achieve the color I am looking for, the way I like it to look (and
that may not necessarily be the way it actually looks---which has proven a
little more difficult to achieve than doing it realistically), and an overall
aesthetically beautiful product, I am then fulfilled in my
creation.
Q: When you retired nine years ago, did you
anticipate or even imagine that you would get involved in painting to the point
of exhibiting your work in galleries and
shows?
A.
No. I immediately enrolled
in a couple of painting courses offered by the United Federation of Teachers
when I retired. This was to “brush-up” on my techniques. I painted every day for
1-2 hours when I retired. I felt good that I was finally creating something I
wanted to create, other than painting murals and giant scenery for school plays.
It is after moving to New Jersey almost five years ago, that I began to expand
my painting to larger and more diverse subjects. I am fortunate to have found
the Gourgaud Gallery, as it inspired me to go in a direction of exhibiting in a
gallery. Now, I am exhibiting regularly
in various local galleries throughout the
area.
Q: You have been teaching an acrylic painting class
for retired NYC teachers for the last few years. What is it like to teach adults as opposed to
children, and do they get detention if they repeatedly come late to
class?
A.
Generally, there is no
discipline problem!!!!! I do not have to tell the students, if they do not
listen, I will have to call or write a note home. I do have one student who
comes late every session. I tell him to get a late pass, but he hasn’t done that
yet. No one yet has received detention…but it is a
thought.
On the serious side, it is very different than
teaching children, as I am working with my peers, and all former NYC teachers.
As I walk from student to student to talk and suggest techniques for their
paintings, I can also make some small talk about our experiences when we taught
for the NYC school system—and how happy we all are being
retired!!!!!!
Q: Finally, as an artist, what is it like being
married to a guy that can’t draw a straight line with a ruler?
A.
My “guy” may not be able
to draw a straight line, but he plays a mean guitar. Sometimes I think Jimmy
Hendrix is in the den! Let us not forget, music is an art also.
 |
Linda
Gilbert
"Reflections" |
Additional Pictures may be
viewed on Facebook: Gourgaud Gallery
The Gourgaud Gallery is located in
Town Hall, 23-A North Main Street in Cranbury, NJ: The
artwork is for sale with 20% of each sale going to support the Cranbury Arts
Council and its programs. Cash or a check made out to the Cranbury Arts Council
is accepted as payment. Hours:
Mon-Fri 9 AM – 4 PMSundays
July 8, 15 and 22, 1 PM – 3 PM
