The Eye, the Heart, and the Mind: Original Paintings by Linda Saliba

The Artist's Statement Having been blessed with good health and a long life, I indulge a passion for whatever life has to offer me. I am a mother of three and grandmother to nine. All of them are a source of wonder and joy for me. My beloved and I have just celebrated 53 years and countless skymiles together.

Should you look closely at my work you could glimpse, I hope, traces of William Blake, Joseph Cornell, Symbolist artists and poets, and bits of paperfolding.

I hope you will enjoy the show!

Linda Saliba

Meet the Artist Linda Saliba will be at The Black Rooster Gallery on Friday, May 13th, 2011, between 6 and 8 p.m. during the Artwalk in Marion, Virginia.

Aurora Acrylic on canvas 28″ x 32″ Completed December 2008 $600 Layers of color and texture animate this study of my favorite trees.

Balcony Cat Acrylic on canvas 24½″ x 33¼″ Completed February 2003 $600 This painting is on a canvas that I used now and then to keep a lively blue cat from my balcony perch where I worked at the time. This portrait is an enduring reminder of all-too-fleeting happy times.

Begonia 2 Soft pastel on pale green charcoal paper 10⅝″ x 8½″ image 15¼″ x 13¼″ framed February 2011 $175 I think this is called a Beefsteak Begonia. It is a dramatic plant with large leaves the size of my hand. The upper part of each leaf is dark shiny green and the under part is blood red. And it sends up airy pink stalks topped with adorable pink begonia flowers. It is a painter’s delight!

Begonia 3 Soft pastel 10″ x 7″ image 16″ x 13″ framed $175

Cymbidium: A Double Gift Acrylic on canvas 28″ x 22″ 29″ x 24″ framed April 23, 2010 $600 I have a florist friend and an orchidgrowing friend. Friend 1 gave me this glorious plant in bloom which I passed to Friend 2 when I could not succeed in coaxing another flower spike. Friend 2 returned this plant full bloom some months later: A Double Gift!

Doves Folded paper collage Washi and Thai marbled papers 5⅞″ x 9⅝″ image 7¾″ x 11⅝″ antique frame February 2011 $175 Origami has numerous facets, pun intended! Mathematicians, engineers, schoolchildren, magicians, and artists find its challenges delightful. This collage is one of two in this listing, although I have made many more, all different, all archival. The folding method for these doves was first devised by the renowned paperfolder and magician Adolfo Cerceda. A knife-thrower, he took up origami as a means of calming his nerves. He invented many paperfolds of rabbits and doves, which he used in his magic acts.

Epiphyllium Soft pastel 17″ x 11½″ image 24½″ x 20¾″ vintage frame September 2009 $200 The “Night Blooming Cereus,” as this plant is otherwise called, is rare. On late summer evenings we are made aware that it has bloomed when we follow a delightful, unique fragrance through the house to its source. The next morning the show is over.

Hunters Watercolor and graphite 6½″ x 9⅛″ image 12¾″ x 16¾″ framed August 22, 2010 $175 These young dogs were hunting raccoons when they raced away from their human counterparts. They were thirsty and hungry when they came to me, and they repaid my hospitality by posing for me.

Love’s Messenger Soft pastel 21½″ x 9½″ image 29¼″ x 15½″ antique frame March 2011 $200 Legend tells us that the parrot is love’s messenger. Who can dispute that?

Moon Journey Monoprint 9″ x 11¾″ image 17½″ x 21½″ antique frame September 7, 2004 $250 Moonlit deer, fall in the mountains, a new moon—all of these together result in magic. That the moon is reversed as a result of the printing process only enhances the mystery.

Orchid Watercolor and graphite 10″ x 8″ image 12½″ x 10⅝″ framed $175

Orchid Melody Soft pastel 25″ x 18″ image 30½″ x 24½″ framed January 21, 2011 $300 Like any form of art, orchids enchant us by deception. I love to grow them; I love to paint them; I surround myself with them.

Pat’s Flowers Oil stick on gessoed paper 11″ x 15½″ image 19″ x 23″ framed November 2008 $300 This is a happy depiction of flowers from my friend that I arranged in an heirloom vase.

Peony Blossom Soft pastel 9″ x 12″ image 17½″ x 21½″ antique frame August 23, 2010 $200 The melting softness of the Tree Peony blossoms entices me to grab my pastel sticks and try to capture a timeless beauty.

Rags Watercolor 8″ x 6″ image 12½″ x 10½″ rustic frame March 18, 2010 $200

Red Clematis Soft pastel and graphite 9″ x 11″ image 14½″ x 17″ framed $175

Star Begonia Soft pastel 17″ x 11½″ image 25″ x 21″ vintage frame September 2009 $300 The vibrant colors in this piece say it all.

Still Life Watercolor 9″ x 11″ image 15½″ x 18″ framed 2007

Summer Still Life Soft pastel on handmade paper 31″ x 16″ image 36″ x 21″ framed July 12, 2010 $350 Painting with soft pastels is almost like painting with pure color. The soft colors and rich textures in this piece are intended to foster a spirit of peace and harmony.

Summertime Oil on canvas 36″ x 28″ May 8, 2010 $600 This large painting shows my summer flowers at their most brilliant aspect. I think every color on my palette found a place on this canvas.

The Bubble Blowers Watercolor 8½″ x 11½″ image / 15″ x 18½″ framed August 2010 $175 Any garden can be improved upon by having children blowing bubbles, chalking designs on flat, washable surfaces, picking dandelions and violets, and chasing butterflies. My grandchildren do just that for my garden.

Tree Monoprint 5″ x 8″ image 10″ x 12″ marquetry frame $175

Two Peony Blossoms Soft pastel 9″ x 12″ image 17½″ x 21½″ vintage frame August 23, 2010 $200 Peonies rank among my very favorite flowers. These are blossoms from the majestic, long-lived tree peony.

View from Home Acrylic on canvas 20″ x 16″ image 23⅝″ x 19⅝″ framed October 2002 $300

Warm Hearts Folded paper collage 7″ x 9″ image 15″ x 18″ vintage frame June 25, 1999 $200 Scotties and loveknots adorn this collage. Eminent paperfolder Robert Neale first devised the folding method for the elegantly simple Scottie. The originator of the traditional loveknot is unknown.

With Thanks Ms. Saliba wishes to thank the merchants of Downtown Marion, VA, as well The Black Rooster for proudly supporting the arts in Southwest Virginia.

The Black Rooster Lounge & Gallery Inside the General Francis Marion Hotel & Conference Center 107 East Main Street Marion, VA 24354-3105 276.783.4800

The Eye, the Heart, and the Mind is on display in The Black Rooster Lounge and Gallery Friday, May 13, 2011, through Thursday, July 7, 2011

All Paintings Copyright Š 2011 Linda Saliba 31168 Albion Street P.O. Box 987 Emory, VA 24327-0987 276.944.3631 lindasaliba@comcast.net Program/Catalog Design Robert Chamberlain Poster Design Debra King