“I would say 95 % of my paintings I created; the original visions were in my dreams at night. I wake up in the middle of the night and do thumbnails sketches of what I see and think would be a great painting.”
Interview with fine artist | LINDA HERZOG
Tittle | Cup of Tea 33
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Title | 78
Title | Smoked Salmon
Title | Dots
Title | When Griz Grew Up He Wanted to Be a Moose
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While dreaming, Linda has detail visions in color of wildlife in unique scenes. In oil she is able to transform these visions onto canvas with a creative style and representation of wildlife. Linda lives in Vista California and lovingly cares for her family and menagerie of animals. Linda’s paintings have been displayed throughout Tokyo, Hawaii, New York, and southern California. She was featured in Art Business News Magazine in “Trendsetters Emerging Artists” as well as in the Universal feature film “Dragonfly” staring Kevin Costner. Her paintings are also in the collection of Toyota Corporation. More of Linda’s work can be seen in Napa at AErena Galleries, in Palm Desert at Coda Gallery, and in Escondido Distinction Gallery.
DGARAY | How long have you been creating art for? HERZOG | I have always been drawing or creating. I have fond memories I am guessing at the age of 6 and up, drawing life size animals on left over newspaper rolls that my mother let me have left over from church luncheons. I would find images in my dad’s encyclopedias for reference. In grade school I was always doodling in my folders. DGARAY | Where do you see yourself career wise in 5 years? HERZOG | My long term goal in my career in art is to keep getting more well known. I have always had my painting professionally photographed that will one day be seen in a published coffee table book. DGARAY | Where did you grow up? HERZOG | I grew up in the Salt Lake City valley in Utah. I always looked forward to family pick nicks and hikes in the near by canyons. Learned to ski and enjoyed snowmobiling. DGARAY | What inspires you? HERZOG | Nature is my inspiration. I have always enjoyed the outdoors and observing wildlife. DAGRAY | Are you involved with your community? If so, how? HERZOG | I have been involved with the Wildlife Artist Association for many years. Unfortunately that folded. I got involved with the local artist association and formed a close friendship with a handful of artist with that. I also have a great group of artist friends we call ourselves the Round Table. DGARAY | What are some of your major accomplishments you have acquired in your career? HERZOG | I am a self-taught artist. With that I feel like I have accomplished a lot with the quality of galleries that I have had the honor showing my work. DGARAY | What is your biggest fear? HERZOG | I would say 95 % of my paintings I created; the original visions were in my dreams at night. I wake up in the middle of the night and do thumbnails sketches of what I see and think would be a great painting. I would hate for my visions to stop coming to me for my paintings. Though I have a few years of paintings to do from those thumbnail sketches that I have not got to as of yet. DGARAY | Whats your favorite thing to do with your time off from life? HERZOG | When I am not painting, my fun time is in my yard. I enjoy gardening, and within my garden is my collection of plants and my pets. I have turtles, doves and koi fish. I also enjoy going on road trips with my dog. She loves to go and see new places as much as I do. I have been able to do some road trips with my daughter. DGARAY | What was the first thing you can remember experiencing in life that made you want to create art?
HERZOG | I did my first oil painting when I was 9. Even at that age, I knew that was the medium for me and I would always paint. DGARAY |If you could travel anywhere in the world where would that be? HERZOG |I would love to visit France and experience the food and wine in the country sides. On my bucket list is to rent an artist cabin on the Russian River in central California. I would love to paint there and experience the landscapes that many master artists that I revere have experienced. DGARAY | If you could have coffee with one celebrity who would that be? and why? HERZOG | If I could meet a celebrity it would Barbara Streisand. I admire her talent in voice and acting. I have to say I have had several dreams of her and I just visiting and laughing as if she was one of my sisters. That would be a hoot if that ever happened in reality. DGARAY | Which artists have inspired you through out your career? HERZOG | There are a handful of artists that have had and impact on my work. Maxfield Parrish, Gil Bruvel, James Christensen, David Kroll, and Daniel Merriam. The work of these artists I have studied and have truly inspired me. DGARAY | Have you always felt comfortable with your medium? HERZOG | I have worked with watercolor, watercolor and ink, acrylic, clay, multi media, and even learned welding. Oil paint is by far my medium of preference. DGARAY | Why do you want to be an artist? HERZOG | I don’t think that I want to be an artist. I am one. Creating is ardently in my soul. I get a little frustrated if life’s events keep me from painting for over too long of a period. When I walk up the stairs into my studio, I have an extreme feeling of calm and peace mixed with excitement that comes over me. DGARAY | What do you do to stay fit and healthy? HERZOG | I have to admit I really do not look forward to exercising. But I do. With that said, I do what is minimal to keep healthy, so that I can spend all the time painting that I can. I use to run and enjoy the outdoors, but that was not good on my knees. I now do core exercises, and exercises to strengthen my knees; I also do a stationary bike along with running on a glider that is low impact. DGARAY | What do you do to stay calm and focused? HERZOG | By nature I am very calm and a person with great patience.
DGARAY | What are some of your limitations? HERZOG | I think the only limitation that I have is that I don’t paint people portraits. I think I could master that if I chose to, but I really prefer to focus on animals and still life.
“I don’t think that I want to be an artist. I am one. Creating is ardently in my soul. I get a little frustrated if life’s events keep me from painting for over too long of a period. When I walk up the stairs into my studio, I have an extreme feeling of calm and peace mixed with excitement that comes over me.” 2016 | DGARAY.COM | 36
Last Supper
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