Linda Attaway

 LINDA ATTAWAY                                                     
Intuitive Artist
May the meditations of my heart and the swirl of my brush be acceptable unto Thee!
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​I was born outside Liverpool, Nova Scotia, in the very cold month of February.  As a youngster, I created the usual “refrigerator art” with crayons, pencils, paper, etc. I did not know whether I had talent or not; until, as an adult, I moved to Ontario.  During that period, my painting endeavours were sporadic, but I discovered a true love for creativity.  I found myself working in theatre designing makeup; costumes for various professional Operatic and theatrical groups. This experience helped fulfill my continuing need to be creative. My love of seeing what I could achieve with stage make-up led me to try other mediums in my painting: oils, watercolours, and coloured pencils. I studied books written by professionals and taught myself by experimenting with various techniques by following the advice I found in those books. I have continued using books, but I have also found many artists’ teachings on YouTube, giving me added resources for my work. In recent years, the works of artists Monet and Henri-Edmond Cross have inspired me to observe their works and style, especially the use of Tachisme and Impasto techniques.  I took an on-line course with Nancy Medina, which helped me realize who I am and who I am not in the world of painting.  “Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.”  Kurt Cobain
 
Beyond technique, through trial and error, plus, listening to encouragement from my soul, I find what I must put on canvas.  Intuition forms the basis of my art and produces the impressionistic or abstract result.   
 
Recently, I was interviewed by CBC Television and Radio on one of my pieces, which has a “Ghostly” provenance.  The piece is entitled “Mysterious Guest” which will be included in award winning writer Vernon Oickle’s next book of Nova Scotia ghost stories.
 
Though I am never quite sure about the origins of my inspiration, I know some influences are derived from my surrounding world: either from my own backyard, hikes around Nova Scotia, absorbing the land and seascapes, and living and travelling in warm climates such as Mexico, St. Kitts, and the Southern USA. Imagination forms the basis of my inspiration, producing images that fascinate my mind. I am most pleased when someone sees my creative images, understands them, and enjoys their expressive qualities.  Whoever becomes the new owner of one of my paintings processes a piece of my soul and my life’s experiences.
 
I am excited that my paintings are residing in homes in different countries; and, that one Nova Scotian collector has several of my pieces.  I currently live in Chester, Nova Scotia with my husband, Kenneth Attaway, PhD ABD who continues to support and encourage me to achieve new heights of creativity.
 
Henri Matisse:
“It has bothered me all my life that I do not paint like everybody else.”

Vincent van Gogh:
I dream of painting and then I paint my dream.

Contact:
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