Conversations with the Inspiring Linda Hart

Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Hart.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Linda. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Growing up in Denver, my grandmother was my first fan, proudly displaying my drawings on her fridge. I loved drawing until a middle school art teacher stopped me with his discouraging comments. From then on I changed my priorities to learning languages and exploring other cultures. I worked as a cultural guide for the USIA under Jimmy Carter and traveled thru out the USSR in 1977. Afterwards I returned to Denver, got married and had two sons.

 I ended up with a career in special education and family support for people with disabilities. At the same time, I continued to draw every free moment and doodle on every free space during meetings or conferences. Again, I was fortunate to be paid to travel in my work and I always visited art museums and local art galleries on-off time. Upon retiring, I knew that my next phase of life would be to acknowledge my self as an artist and follow my bliss. Almost two decades later, I now have a large body of work, mainly abstract expressionist paintings with acrylics. Recently I am moving towards more figurative/symbolic abstract paintings with water pastels and minimal paint. Can’t seem to stop although I’ve developed some arthritis in my dominant hand and am trying to evolve my art to accommodate that.

My passions now include the integration of teaching and art – I want to make art and creativity accessible to everyone! For 20 years, I have taught or directed summer camp programs, painting workshops through Meetup and the Denver Art Society, created art experiences for women who are in transition/or houseless and facilitated some fun art times with a club for young adults with diverse abilities and learning styles. I love to see people feeling safe and encouraged to tell their stories through painting.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I remember being a young mother, working part-time, volunteering full time and wishing I had a private room where I could escape, relax and just be myself to paint! Over the years, I’ve developed a routine of getting up early and painting or drawing as the sun comes up. This special time between night and day, between dreams and daily reality is when I feel most free to create and express myself. During this time of social isolation initiated by the Coronavirus pandemic, this simple daily morning routine has kept me calm and feeling productive. I set myself a goal of painting one small 5×5 inch canvas every day to mark the Stay at Home. At the end of our isolation time, I will have a large quilt of these little paintings, an art journal or the journey. I’m also drawing and sending pages for my granddaughters (and adult friends too) to color even tho they live far away,

My advice for young women just starting this journey? Find time during your day or week for you to simply be you and create. Set small goals, paint in series, discover a new way of sketching. Do You. Find friends who want to see and appreciate your newest art. Hang out with artists who inspire you, physically or virtually. Otherwise, let your art flow throughout your day. Even the way you cut vegetables for soup can be art. The way you wash dishes. The way you care for loved ones. Let your art flow from your heart, don’t ever be discouraged, and follow your inner truth.

We’d love to hear more about your art.
Nature, color, shadow, and light are my inspirations. My camera is filled with images of sunsets, clouds, reflections of light on water, plants and mountain vistas. I grew up in Colorado and the light of the sun has always been a big part of my life, and so,of course my art. (I never have enough yellow). My favorite artists are Hilma af Klint, Kandinsky, Chagall, and graffiti street art. My paintings reflect the colors of nature contrasted with a love for sacred geometry and the simplicity/complexity of our world. What sets me apart in a city filled with aspiring artists and nine art districts? Hopefully, it is the ongoing and original expression of my inner truth. Others may or may not see the beauty. Can’t stop anyway. I can’t deny the love I have for reaching that state of ultimate connection with the universe during a moment of creation. Flow. True love.

In 2011 and 2013, I exhibited with the Inner Idea Artists show in NYC. Each time I spent a month living the life I had always imagined as an artist in New York – wearing black, riding the subway, drinking espresso, listening to live jazz, crowded art show openings with deep discussions on art philosophy. The IIA evolved out of art classes provided by Peggy Zehring and the La Veta School of the Arts in southern Colorado. We have painted together now for about 20 years and have grown by sharing our art journeys.

In 2012, I moved back to the city and joined the Denver Art Society.. This is an ever-evolving coop of 50-100 artists, exhibiting at 734 Santa Fe Drive. I now have a studio there and teach at least one class a month. I enjoy the support and community of this stimulating, creative environment, filled with visual artists, musicians and fashion designers. It is a minor miracle that DAS coop has managed to pay rent and show art to thousands of visitors at this awesome location since 2009!

One of my favorite moments happened when a woman walked into DAS as a new member – and we recognized each other from her summer camp art class a decade earlier. I had encouraged her early on – and she is now grown and pursuing an art career!

I truly enjoy working with people to find their inner artist. All those people who say they can’t draw a straight line. All the people feeling restricted in their life or work need to find a way to release their creativity. People are like novels waiting to be written or “painted”. They have stories and experiences to share. I’m more of a facilitator than a teacher – I provide the setting, the tools and the permission for each artist to do their thing. I’ve found certain techniques (using blindfolds, listening to music) can help people find their personal style of expression. This inspires my own work, completing the circle and allowing me to return the gifts of art given to me.

It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
YouTube – for relaxation, I love to find videos of paint being poured!

Also there are numerous videos on figure drawing, portrait painting, cartoon/Anime, Art Museums. Go to one every chance you get. Many collections are available online these days. Netflix seems to have lots of artist documentary/biographies that are great.

Contact Info:

• Address: Denver Art Society
  734 Santa Fe Drive
  Denver, CO 80204
• Website: Www.lindahartfred.com
• Email: fre33945@gmail.com
• Instagram: Linda_hart64
• Facebook: @artoflindahart

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