About Linda

Baltimore City
I love cutting things up – paper, metal, Mylar! My work explores the complexities of the natural world through mixed media work and outdoor public sculpture.  Fascinated by botanical forms and biological systems, I create work that embraces the fluidity and mysteries of nature, reveling in curves and the interlacing plant or cellular forms. Vascular systems, in natural forms such as leaves, with their complex networks of interconnected loops inspire me. I immerse myself in the world of plants… more

Brookside Gardens Public Art

Montgomery County Department of Parks & Recreation runs this gorgeous botanical garden in Wheaton, MD. A great place to visit! http://www.montgomeryparks.org/brookside/

They commissioned 4 works from me - a gate, a canopy,  a bench and an entrance piece. The gate, canopy and bench. The gate and canopy are what is shown here and were funded through the Montgomery County Parks Foundation. The entrance is waiting for a donor!!!

Photography by John Dean
  • Ginkgo Canopy-front view
    Ginkgo Canopy-front view
    A node for orientation and gathering near the open lawn had been identified in the Brookside Gardens renovation plan as an area for public art. The shapes and forms of the Ginkgo Biloba, the world’s oldest tree with its attractive lobed fan-shaped leaves, became the inspiration for a shade canopy structure. Dappled light and dark create a shadow play across the boardwalk as the sun travels through the sky. The support structure references a tree trunk with branches, leading up to the crown of cut out Ginkgo leaves. 2015 - Powder coated aluminum & steel 11.5' x 16' x 14' Photography by John Dean
  • Ginkgo Canopy-side view
    Ginkgo Canopy-side view
    Located at Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD. The shapes and forms of the Ginkgo Biloba, the world’s oldest tree with its attractive lobed fan-shaped leaves, became the inspiration for a shade canopy structure. Dappled light and dark create a shadow play across the boardwalk as the sun travels through the sky. The support structure references a tree trunk with branches, leading up to the crown of cut out Ginkgo leaves. 2015 - Powder coated aluminum & steel 11.5' x 16' x 14' Photography by John Dean
  • Ginkgo Canopy Detail
    Ginkgo Canopy Detail
    Looking up from the platform. Powder coated aluminum & steel. Photography by John Dean
  • Ginkgo Canopy
    Ginkgo Canopy
    A node for orientation and gathering near the open lawn had been identified in the Brookside Gardens renovation plan as an area for public art. The shapes and forms of the Ginkgo Biloba, the world’s oldest tree with its attractive lobed fan-shaped leaves, became the inspiration for a shade canopy structure. 2015 - Powder coated aluminum & steel. 11.5' x 16' x 14' Photography by John Dean
  • Ginkgo Canopy
    Ginkgo Canopy
    A node for orientation and gathering near the open lawn had been identified in the Brookside Gardens renovation plan as an area for public art. The shapes and forms of the Ginkgo Biloba, the world’s oldest tree with its attractive lobed fan-shaped leaves, became the inspiration for a shade canopy structure. 2015 - Powder coated aluminum & steel. 11.5' x 16' x 14'
  • Ginkgo Canopy-Installation day
    2015 - installed by the extraordinary Bonsai Fine Art crew. 11.5' x 16' x 14'/ Powder coated aluminum & steel Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD. Commissioned by Montgomery County Parks Foundation and Montgomery County Department of Parks & Recreation. Video by me
  • Ferngate Detail
    Ferngate Detail
    Detail of the pedestrian gate at Brookside Gardens. Fiddlehead ferns were planted nearby. 2016 - Powder coated aluminum & steel / 6'-8" x 6'-8" x 3". Photography by John Dean
  • Ferngate
    Ferngate
    This pedestrian gate design incorporates a variety of shapes inspired by leaves and stems of ferns creating a lively and colorful identifier for the boardwalk entrance at Brookside Gardens. 2016 - Powder coated aluminum & steel / 6'-8" x 6'-8" x 3". Photography by John Dean
  • Ferngate - full view
    Ferngate - full view
    This pedestrian gate design incorporates a variety of shapes inspired by leaves and stems of ferns creating a lively and colorful identifier for the boardwalk entrance at Brookside Gardens. 2016 - Powder coated aluminum & steel / 6'-8" x 6'-8" x 3". Photography by John Dean
  • Ferngate
    Ferngate
    2015-2016, powder coated aluminum and steel. Located at Brookside Gardens. 6'-8" x 6'-8" x 3"

Particle Portal - Automatic Gate plus fabrication photos

Gate for Maryland Public Health Lab:
Protein diagrams, molecular structures and cell geometry refer to scientific analysis conducted by the Maryland Public Health Lab dedicated to the well being of the citizens of the state. When closed a DNA helix visually ties the two sides of the gate together. Interplay between solid and open shapes in the gate indicates a vital lively site reflecting community activity and many processes pursued within the building.
The gate automatically opens and closes.

Photography by John Dean
  • Particle Portal - angle view
    Particle Portal - angle view
    Forms and shapes of molecular structures, protein ribbon diagrams, and cell geometry are the inspiration for the gate at Maryland Public Health Laboratory (MDPHL). The lab provides a public service incorporating many different facets of science and technology for the health and well being of the citizens of Maryland. My goal was to pull together a variety of images that respond to the various disciplines in the building, yet create an engaging artwork for pedestrians and auto passengers alike. 2014 - Powder coated aluminum & steel. 10’-4” x 22' x 4” / Maryland Economic Development Commission. Photography by John Dean
  • The beginning - the first piece of aluminum
    The beginning - the first piece of aluminum
    Arrival of the gate doors - aluminum plate cut by water-jet
  • Particle Portal doors together in the studio
    Particle Portal doors together in the studio
    2014 - Powder coated aluminum & steel. 10’-4” x 22' x 4” / Maryland Economic Development Commission. Fabrication by Paul Daniel, Fletcher Daniel and me.
  • Squiggles, bacteria, connective tissue- in progress
    Squiggles, bacteria, connective tissue- in progress
    The fluid lines (squiggles, bacteria, or connective tissue) were fabricated by drawing the imagery full size on paper and then working the metal to match the drawing. It was a process of bending the metal, checking back to the drawing and bending again...and again...again. Fabricators: Paul Daniel, Fletcher Daniel and me.
  • Particle Portal - front view
    Particle Portal - front view
    Protein diagrams, molecular structures and cell geometry refer to scientific analysis conducted by the Maryland Public Health Lab and are are the inspiration for the gate at Maryland Public Health Laboratory, dedicated to the well being of the citizens of the state. 2014 - Powder coated aluminum & steel. 10’-4” x 22' x 4” / Maryland Economic Development Commission. Photography by John Dean
  • Particle Portal - Detail
    Particle Portal - Detail
    This gate opens and closes automatically. When the gate is closed a DNA helix ties the two sides of the gate together visually. Interplay between solid and open shapes in the gate indicates a vital lively site reflecting community activity and many processes pursued within the building. 2014 - Powder coated aluminum & steel / Maryland Economic Development Commissio. Photography by John Dean
  • Particle Portal Detail 2
    Particle Portal Detail 2
    Molecular structures, protein ribbon diagrams, and cell geometry are the inspiration for the gate at Maryland Public Health Laboratory. Green squiggles were fabricated and powder coated separately and screwed on to the blue door. 2014 - Powder coated aluminum & steel / Maryland Economic Development Commission. Fabrication: Paul Daniel, Fletcher Daniel and me. Photography by John Dean
  • Particle Portal - Location
    Particle Portal - Location
    The Particle Portal automatic gate is on located on Rutland Street at Maryland Public Health Laboratories, Ashland & Rutland Streets (behind Hopkins Hospital on Orleans Street). 2014 - Powder coated aluminum & steel. 10’-4” x 22' x 4” / Maryland Economic Development Commission. Photography by John Dean.
  • Particle Portal opens and closes
    Particle Portal automatic gate opens and closes at Maryland Public Health Lab. One of the workers says, "Good drawing you did."
  • Particle Portal-Installation Day
    Particle Portal-Installation Day
    The amazing crew who installed the gate. Another crew installed the automatic gate openers. 2014 - Powder coated aluminum & steel. 10’-4” x 22' x 4” / Maryland Economic Development Commission. Photography by John Dean

More Paintings/Drawings: Cut-up, woven, striped and sewn

Much of this work is connected to my personal health issues. Working on these paper plus pieces provides the best medicine for the issues I have encountered.
 
 Fascinated by botanical forms and biological systems, I create drawings/paintings that embraces the fluidity and mysteries of nature, reveling in curves and the interlacing plant or cellular forms. Vascular systems, in natural forms such as leaves and biology, with complex networks of interconnected loops inspire me. 
 
These pieces are investigations into dimensional drawings/paintings using images of leaves, seedpods, insects and human anatomy. Often images are then altered and rebuilt by the weaving process of Mylar and paper. Mylar is cut into strips and woven into a painted paper form.  Drawing with brass rod van be added to the work and sewn on. Some parts are pre-determined, others come into play purely by chance. The process is a balance of forethought and the unexpected. Realities merge into something new both literally and figuratively.

The work becomes a fusion of energy and concept. The drawing and I interact until some solution coincides with the intended scheme. This improvisational process of give and take ultimately appears as a work expressing movement and exuberance. My desire is to draw viewers into the mysteries of nature as well as the process, engaging them in discovery.

I got a little tool that makes stripes when filled with acrylic paint- it's really fun. The quick physical process of drawing lines with it offsets the more studied process of weaving cut-out patterns - knots and matrix imagery -into one another.

Photography by Joseph Hyde and John Dean


  • Heartwood
    Heartwood
    2015 - Heartwood, paper Mylar, ink, acrylic 28.5" x 20.75"
  • Corniche
    Corniche
    2015 - Corniche, paper, Mylar, acrylic 28.5" x 20.75"
  • Tangled Ticker
    Tangled Ticker
    2017-Paper, collage from print 23" x 26"
  • Antilogy-detail
    Antilogy-detail
    2017 - Mylar, paper,acylic, brass, thread, wood, spray paint
  • Parasite
    Parasite
    2010, paper, mylar, acrylic, ink, brass, thread, 36.25" x 22.75" x 2"
  • Undertoad
    Undertoad
    2010, paper, mylar, acrylic, ink, brass, thread, 42.25" x 35.25" x 2.25"
  • Sidetracked
    Sidetracked
    2009 paper, mylar, acrylic, ink, brass, thread 40" x 28.5" x 2"
  • Raven Goes East
    Raven Goes East
    2013- Mylar, paper, acrylic 16" x 19.5"
  • Violin Mnemonic
    Violin Mnemonic
    2012, Violin Mnemonic, painted paper, mylar, acrylic, 41" x 34"
  • Eleonora
    Eleonora
    2012, Eleonora, paper, mylar, acrylic, 38.25" x 20.25"

Covid Cut Outs


During the many months of the Covid-19 quarantine in 2020, I found comfort in the meditative process of cutting paper by hand and tying it to my interest and passion for nature. My perception of time is greatly altered in this process of cutting. 

Fascinated by botanical forms, I create work that embraces the fluidity and mysteries of nature, reveling in curves and the interlacing plant or cellular forms. Vascular systems, in natural forms such as leaves, with their complex networks of interconnected loops inspire me. 
I immerse myself in the world of plants in my garden.

The pieces Monarch Mambo,Vertigo Ring Around the Rosy are image transfers of large elephant ear leaves from my garden that involved rubbings of the leaf surfaces with Conte crayon.
I lost a nephew-in-law to Covid19 in April.  He had seen Monarch Mambo before he died  and noted the relationship between his lungs and the leaf network. Vertigo had the feeling of being off kilter and Ring Around the Rosy - horrifyingly over 400,000 people fell.

In Daydream. I was attracted to a combination of natural structures and man patterns and Sheltering involved multiple layers of heavy weight paper cut outs. In these drawings, some parts are pre-determined; others come into play purely by chance. None are laser cut. 

My desire is to draw viewers into the mysteries of nature as well as the process, engaging them in discovery. 

Photography by Joseph Hyde
  • Sheltering
    Sheltering
    Sheltering, 2020 33" x 32.5" Paper, acrylic, vinyl paint,
  • Sheltering-detail
    Sheltering-detail
    Sheltering, 2020 Detail
  • Daydream (for Paul)
    Daydream (for Paul)
    Daydream(for Paul), 2020 24" x 27.5" Paper, acrylic, vinyl paint, spray paint
  • Daydream (for Paul) detail
    Daydream (for Paul) detail
    Daydream (for Paul), 2020 The blue/pink layer - Blue is not behind pink, it is on one sheet of paper.
  • Ring Around the Rosy
    Ring Around the Rosy
    Ring Around the Rosy, 2020 33" x 29" Acrylic, Conte crayon, spray paint
  • Ring Around the Rosy-detail
    Ring Around the Rosy-detail
    Ring Around the Rosy - detail, 2020
  • Vertigo
    Vertigo
    Vertigo, 2020 33" x 29" Paper, acrylic, Conte crayon, spray paint
  • Vertigo - detail
    Vertigo - detail
    Vertigo, 2020 Detail
  • Monarch Mambo (for Kevin)
    Monarch Mambo (for Kevin)
    Monarch Mambo (for Kevin), 2020 44.5" x 48" x 5" Acrylic, painted paper, spray paint, Mylar
  •  Monarch Mambo detail
    Monarch Mambo detail
    Monarch Mambo (for Kevin), 2020 Detail

Front Stoop / Back Yard

Co-Laboration: Front Stoop / Back Yard is a joint project installed at School 33 Art Center by Kelly Bell, Melissa Webb and me. It was funded through BOPA by the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation.

Press release: "Using local front stoop and backyard neighborhood culture as a starting point, “Front Stoop/Back Yard” aims to be a quirky and delightful new meeting place for the community and a little sanctuary for urban birds. Artists Bell, DePalma, and Webb have constructed highly detailed birdhouses that are scale replicas of iconic Baltimore buildings – Penn Station, the Patterson Park Pagoda, the “Painted Ladies” of Charles Village and formstone row homes. Marble step and canvas awning constructions provide a shady spot to start a conversation. Painted screens installed in School 33’s windows overlook the garden. Collaborating as a group for the first time, the artists have used Baltimore’s architectural vernacular as an inspiration point to create a garden environment that connects with the senses and invites the community to interact with the surroundings."

Painted screens by Jessie Unterhalter & Katey Truhen
  • Bromo and Screen
    Bromo and Screen
    2014 wood birdhouse, painted screen, steel painted pole 22" x 10" x 10"
  • Awnings and Steps
    Awnings and Steps
    2014 steel, canvas, concrete
  • Penn Station
    Penn Station
    2014 Wood birdhouse, steel painted pole
  • Formstone #2
    Formstone #2
    2014 Birdhouse concrete, wood, painted steel pole
  • Formstone #1
    Formstone #1
    2014 Birdhouse concrete, wood, painted steel pole
  • Charles Village 2
    Charles Village 2
    2014 Wood birdhouse, steel painted pole
  • Charles Village
    Charles Village
    2014 Wood birdhouse Steel painted pole
  • School #33 Art Center
    School #33 Art Center
    2014 Wood birdhouse 28" x 18" x 8"
  • Pagoda
    Pagoda
    2014 Wood birdhouse, brass, steel painted pole 26" x 14" x 14"
  • Bromo
    Bromo
    2014 Wood Birdhouse 22" x 10" x 10"

Site Specific Public Art

Site specific sculpture - entrances, railings, gates and other amenities for urban streetscapes

Photography by John Dean 
  • Flow
    Flow
    detail, War Memorial Plaza fountain grates, in front of City Hall, Baltimore, (detail is of one panel 6'x 6') Painted aluminum, water 1.5" x 22' x 6', 2005
  • Flow
    Flow
    North View, War Memorial Plaza fountain grate, Baltimore, Painted aluminum, water, 1.5" x 22' x 6', 2005, Department of Parks & Recreation Commission; Landscape Architects: Mahan Rykiel
  • Flow with visitor
    Flow with visitor
    2005 - Flow, fountain grates in from to Baltimore's City Hall. Someone stopped by to cool off! You can stand on these. One of three 6' square aluminum grates. Total piece is 1.5" x 22' x 6'
  • Passage
    Passage
    2005, powder coated aluminum, 11'-4" x 57' x 10' Jesup Blair Park, Silver Spring, MD
  • Passage 2
    Passage 2
  • Passage
    Passage
    detail, Jesup Blair Park entrance, Silver Spring, MD, 2005, Painted aluminum, 11â??-4â? x 57â?? x 10â??D, Montgomery Co Public Arts Trust Commission
  • Double Gamut
    Double Gamut
    Franklin Street Parking Garage, Baltimore, MD, two wall reliefs on facade of parking facility, collaboration with artist Paul Daniel 1991, Aluminum, bronze, copper, 14' x 11' x 3.5' Baltimore City 1% for Art Program; Architect: Ayers Saint Gross, Baltimore, MD
  • Double Gamut
    Double Gamut
    1991 Double Gamut, Franklin Street Parking Garage, Baltimore, MD, two wall reliefs on facade of parking facility
  • Watermark, screen & railing
    Watermark, screen & railing
    garden screen and pool railing, Alexander House, Silver Spring, MD, mixed income housing project, 1992, Painted aluminum, railing: 3' x 158' x 3", screen: 7' x 130' x 6"
  • Purple Line Riggs Road fence panels
    Purple Line Riggs Road fence panels
    Purple Line Light Rail, Washington DC 30 fence panels at Riggs Road Station Installation TBD

2022 Van Buren Gate

This garden gate was commissioned by a Bolton Hill neighbor and installed at their beautiful garden. The setting created a challenge. They wanted to maintain their present chainlink fence posts, so the gate had to be designed to accomodate out-of-plumb posts in order to function - to open and close smoothly. It all worked out thanks to the engineering help from Paul Daniel.
  • Van Buren Gate.jpg
    Van Buren Gate.jpg
    Van Buren Gate, 2022- Powder coated steel and aluminum, 5'-7.5"H x 2'-10"W x 2.5"D. Commissioned by Bolton Hill neighbor. Photo by John Dean
  • VB Gate-alley side.jpg
    VB Gate-alley side.jpg
    2022, Van Buren Gate, alley side
  • VB Gate BEFORE.jpeg
    VB Gate BEFORE.jpeg
    This is the view before the gate was installed.
  • VB Gate- AFTER.jpg
    VB Gate- AFTER.jpg
    Van Buren Gate - AFTER, installed
  • Gate progress.jpeg
    Gate progress.jpeg
    VB Gate progress in studio

Public art models plus concepts for future projects

The model and preliminary drawings for Particle Portal, the gate at Maryland Public Health Lab are included.

Other models for public art sculpture are an entrance for Ladew Nature Walk, Tully's Gait; Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD and digital plans for sculpture at The Rawlings Conservatory in Baltimore, MD. Concept drawings for the Redline Art-in-Transit project - fences for two light rail stations - are included. It was a disappointment when the Governor cancelled the Red Line light rail project. 

I was invited to apply for the Purple Line light rail project in Washington DC and was awarded an Art-in-Transit commission for  Riggs Road Station. The area is designated as the International Corridor - a very diverse community of  people from around the world. Each fence panel design is inspired by some of the cultures that are in the area. The proposal is included here.
  • Ladew Gate Model_IMG_4490.jpg
    Ladew Gate Model_IMG_4490.jpg
    Nature Walk gate model for Ladew Topiary Gardens, Monkton, MD 2018 - paper, wood Plan to install in spring 2019
  • Fence panel proposal-2
    Fence panel proposal-2
    2017 - Fence panel proposal for Riggs Road Station, Purple Line Light Rail , Washington DC.. Panels are fabricated from steel and powder coated. Planned date of installation - sometime in 2020.
  • Fence panel proposal-1
    Fence panel proposal-1
    2017 - Fence panel proposal for Riggs Road Station, Purple Line Light Rail , Washington DC.. Panels are fabricated from steel and powder coated. Planned date of installation - sometime in 2020.
  • Redline proposal for Allendale Station
    Redline proposal for Allendale Station
    One section of a 200' fence at Allendale Light rail station - Art-in-Transit - Redline.
  • Redline proposal for Allendale Station
    Redline proposal for Allendale Station
    One section of a 200' fence at Allendale Light rail station - Art-in-Transit - Redline.
  • Redline proposal for Edmondson Station
    Redline proposal for Edmondson Station
    One section of a 200' fence flanking the Edmondson Village Light rail station - Art-in-Transit - Redline.
  • Ginkgo Canopy at Brookside Gardens
    Ginkgo Canopy at Brookside Gardens
    As part of the Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD renovation, this sculpture will be fabricated and installed in 2015.
  • Magnolia Entry for Brookside Gardens
    Magnolia Entry for Brookside Gardens
    Renovation of Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD included a few art projects. One was this sculpture at the entrance. Not yet funded.
  • Entrance Model-Brookside Garden
    Entrance Model-Brookside Garden
    Model for automobile entrance to Brookside Garden - yet to be realized.
  • Palms
    Palms
    digital interpretation of entrance project for the Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens, 2006 thanks to R. Lipscher for computer help

2021 - Looking two ways at once

More Covid cut-outs 2021
​Figures in motion have always been an interest of mine. In 2021, I spent some time collaging figures, patterns from other cutouts and images of fig leaves from our giant “feed me Seymour” fig tree. 
  • StepOut.jpg
    StepOut.jpg
    Step Out, 2021, Color paper, spray paint, acrylic, 49” x 34”
  • Flip.jpeg
    Flip.jpeg
    Flip, 2021, Paper, charcoal, spray paint, 13.5" x 11"
  • Fortuna.jpeg
    Fortuna.jpeg
    Fortuna, 2021, Monoprint, paper, charcoal-collage, 13" x 11"
  • A Leg Up.jpeg
    A Leg Up.jpeg
    A Leg Up, 2021, Spray paint, charcoal, color paper, 13" x 12"
  • Double Wide.jpeg
    Double Wide.jpeg
    Double Wide, 2021, Spray paint, charcoal, color paper, image: 15" x 15-1/4": Framed 16" x 20" Oops I couldn't get it to rotate, it's on its side.