Close your
eyes. Close them tight. Think about an alternative world, a different
world. It is one that is awash in green
and blue aquatic hues and dotted with trees.
This is a world where cats frolic side by side with fish and birds and
other denizens of the sky and sea. They
cavort in friendship before the blissfully blue waters of the vast ocean. Lo and behold, you've stumbled into a fantasy
painting by San Bruno artist, Linda Dever.
When Linda paints,
she plunges into limitless stores of creativity to invoke images of peaceful coexistence a midst imaginary worlds. She lays down color first in acrylics, with
special attention to shape and texture.
Her initial efforts seem abstract, but soon the common theme of water insinuates
itself into her work. It’s as if the
water itself demands attention, leading Linda into an adventure of layering and
collage, one that requires extra dry-time before the rest of the imaginary world
is willing to reveal itself. Frequently, Linda adds stickers or other embellishments which serve to coax unexpected elements of realism into what would otherwise be exclusively fantastical pieces. We don’t
see much red, the angry color, or even hues of orange or yellow. No. It is ever
the calming effects of blissful blue that dominate her art.
Early on, Linda knew
that to be happy she would have to find a way to combine her art and creativity
with making an income. So, she achieved a BS in Art Education from Penn State
University and an MA in Educational Technology and a certificate for English as
a Second Language from San Francisco State.
This combined art with teaching, which brought her great happiness
throughout her career. Linda taught Art
and First Grade in New York and New Jersey before relocating to San
Francisco. After a period of teaching
elementary grades here, she began to work with disabled adults and senior
citizens, most recently working with the Older Adults Program of CCSF, where
she taught Art, World Culture, Art History, Crafts and Health & Exercise. At this time, Linda offers a free class at
the YMCA entitled “World Cultures in Art” in which current exhibits, countries,
and art are the topic. She and her
husband, Steve, enjoy travelling to different parts of the world, and so she
brings art & architecture from those lands to her classroom, where they are
shared along with the travels of her students.
Linda is a
passionate artist, and a very giving person.
I can attest to this personally. She is an individualist who has no
desire to be like other people, but rather strives to be her own unique
self. She believes in the gift of giving and so,
emulating her mother who believed in “help thy neighbor” as a personal
attribute, she strives to capture moments in time where she can make a
difference in the lives of others. I
asked her to describe her work in one word, and it was a challenge. First, we thought words like “surreal”, “unique”
and “colorful” might fit the bill, but ultimately Linda settled on joyful.
The things that bring Linda the most joy such as
cats, the sea, nature, birds, and fish, appear the most in her art … thus, Linda's art brings her joy just like teaching does.
View more of Linda’s
work on-line at Linda Dever Fantasy Art and Books. She is an exhibiting artist and member of
ArtWork of San Francisco. She’s
exhibited at Bayshore Production Studios, Green Street Digital Arts and done
solo shows at Caffe Bianco, Martha & Brothers Coffee, and the Art Center in
San Bruno. Linda’s art won an award at
the San Mateo County Fair. Her full body
of work includes books best suited for children that describe the adventures of
precocious cats and other topics close to her heart. Read about them here. She also does unique
pet portraits that you can read about here. Her free class on “World Cultures
& Art” happens at the Stonestown YMCA in San Francisco, across from the
mall at 3150 – 20th Avenue on Tuesdays. January’s classes will be about Asia and
India. Linda will be participating with
an open wall at the Art Guild of Pacifica’s upcoming “Galleria” exhibition at
the Sanchez Art Center.
Written and blogged by Donna L. Faber, AGP Board Secretary.
Visit Donna at www.donnalouisefaber.com .
