Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Mutti.
Hi Linda, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always loved to draw, Some of my earliest memories are of drawing horses. I went to UCSB as an art major but at that time, representational art was looked down on. So I thought, I’m not an artist and I changed majors and schools, I didn’t paint for 30 years.
When I was showing horses, I did a portrait of a friend’s horse. From that portrait I started getting commissions. From there I took an adult education class where I was introduced to plein air painting, I was hooked.
After retiring from our Pet Clinic, I spent all my free time painting outdoors and traveling the west to paint. I especially love painting our Eastern Sierras.
I’ve made many friends along my art adventure and am so grateful for the awards I’ve been lucky enough to receive.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve had some very difficult events along the way. We lost our home in the Painted Cave fire and I lost all my artwork and supplies. But really, that’s all just stuff. We and our pets were safe, that’s all that matters.
Then when I was 55, I lost my husband to an illness. He was my greatest supporter and would be so proud of me today. Being involved in art was very healing, it gave me structure, camaraderie and adventures
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in pastels, oils, graphite and gouache. My main subjects are the landscape and horses. I’m proud that I continue to learn and evolve, I work hard. Some of my accomplishments I never dreamed were possible. I’m a member of the OAK Group which is a group of 25 artists. We have shows that benefit the preservation of land, we have raised more than 3 million dollars!
I’m an artist member of the esteemed California Art Club,an Eminent Pastelist with the International Association of Pastel Societies, Signature member with Pastel Society of America, American Women, Women Artists of the West, Arizona Pastel Artists Association And Distinguished Pastelist with Pastel Society of the West Coast.,
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I see a couple things happening. There is a shift towards more abstract and and also Western Art has taken off. Mark Maggiori, a western artist just sold a painting for 1.3 million at the Jackson Hole Art Auction.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lindamuttifineart.com
- Instagram: @lindamutti
- Facebook: Linda Mutti Fine Art
