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Influenced by her grandfather, one of the
first Disney animators, and a mother who exposed her to the Arts,
Linda Gunn's interest in art began at an early age. Most
significantly, a gift of John Gnagy's Art Studio in a Box - a set
containing oil paints, watercolors, charcoal, pastel, and various
drawing supplies, along with step-by-step instructions for each
medium - helped structure Linda's art education and focus her
artistic goals.
"I have become a professional artist simply
through the acts of observation, drawing, painting and teaching,"
explains Gunn, "I paint from personal life experiences."
Linda's career as an instructor came about
unexpectedly, when she was a finalist in The Artist's Magazine
Floral Painting Competition. After the image was published in the
magazine and featured on the cover of a North Light book, she
was invited to teach watercolor classes for the Long Beach
Recreation Department.
An avid traveler, Gunn maintains a
journal/sketchbook to record observations, new experiences,
reference drawings and watercolor sketches. These, combined with
photographs aid in her adding mood to her inspiring paintings.
In 1995, Linda's dream was to become a
member of The National Acrylic Painters Association of Great
Britain. After reviewing her portfolio at an emergency board
meeting. NAPA invited her to join, and she became the first
international member, setting the stage for the birth of NAPA USA,
of which Gunn is founding director.
Ensconced in her studio, Gunn works with
all manner of media that can be mixed with water. Learning about the
properties of acrylic, gouache, egg tempera, dyes, inks or
transparent watercolor has helped her to discover which medium will
produce the best result for the desired effect. |
