Linda Maldonaldo - Limbo plus Focus equals Completion

Linda Maldonado's work is co-featured in this month's Gallery Underground Special "Illuminations" show.  When I asked she if perseverance was a factor she replied that tenacity was always important in your work.  Linda explains -  

Aquascape by Linda Maldonado

"Two of the paintings I brought in for our "Illuminations" show at the Gallery this month are pieces that started out confused and stayed in a limbo phase for some time. I pulled each one out and set out to bring them to successful completion, one way or another. Sometimes the easiest way for me to do that is to pick a composition scheme -- e.g., cruciform for "Aquascape" -- and a limited palette of colors (blues and greens, with black and white accents), and keep working back and forth between collage and acrylic paint. Keeping a clear mental focus helped me enormously to get to the finish line.

All the Earth is Holy Ground by Linda Maldonado

With the second painting, "All the Earth is Holy Ground," the piece started as a warm underpainting with floral intentions. I changed my mind when I found the quote by Christina Rosetti: "Tread softly. All the earth is holy ground" -- and I decided to bring in some blues and use a horizontal orientation with vertical panels. Again, i introduced collage papers and coordinating stamps to create texture and interest, layered with translucent paint to enrich some areas. After several days of thinking and painting, I was pleased with the blend of warm golds and coppers with cool turquoise and dark blues.

For the past few years, I have designed most of my paintings to read well from a distance, and also to reward the viewer who comes closer with details not visible from a distance. I hope I have achieved that with both of these.

Thanks for the opportunity to think out loud about my art."

Linda Maldonado's "Shimmer Leaves"

First in a series of Gallery Underground Artists thoughts on their November offerings for the All Member Show.

"Shimmer Leaves" by Linda Maldonado

Linda Maldonado thoughts on "Shimmer Leaves"
"Autumn leaf colors so inspire me, leading to my abstract "Shimmer Leaves." I used iridescent and interference paints and collage elements to interpret the light and radiance of the leaves. I enjoyed creating a blend of realistic and geometric elements, though photos never quite capture the glimmer of gold, copper and silver as they appear in when viewed in person."

What's Over your Couch - Part 4

Some of our artists hang their own work in their homes.  Some artists bring back souvenirs from their travels.  Some artists do both!  Proudly hanging over  Linda Maldonado's couch is this lovely watercolor painting of Aya Sofia mosque in Istanbul Turkey.  

Kathy Turner's mantle sports a large oil painting by Washington DC artist Gregory Ferrand.  Quite the story in this piece!

Kathy told me "Over the sofa in our den is a lino print by Hawaiian artist Dietrich Varez from 1979. I found this rolled up at an estate sale for a dollar. I like to salvage artists work when I find it in situations like that."  Kathy is a woman after this blogger's own heart!  How awesome to save a dramatic piece like this.

If you missed Jim George's nice article about Keith Wilkie's Opening and the June works at the Gallery Underground you can find them here.