JULY EXHIBIT AT THE
GOURGAUD GALLERY
Flora, Fauna and Mystical-the Art of Linda
Gilbert
By Bob Gilbert
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| 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.
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| Linda Gilbert "Reflections" |
Hours: Mon-Fri 9 AM – 4 PM
Sundays July 8, 15 and 22, 1 PM – 3 PM
