Linda L. Phillabaum - Fine Art in Colored Pencil

 

About the Artist

 

Linda Phillabaum discovered early in life that she had a passion for creating art in its many different mediums...especially drawing. Through her years in school, she made sure that her curriculum included art classes. Even while pursuing her business career as a young woman, she continued finding ways to fit her love for art into her busy schedule; so after retiring from the business world in 2003, she quickly returned to devoting more attention to her love of creativity. 

 

In 2010, inspired by the colored pencil art she had seen at summer art festivals, Linda found herself increasingly more fascinated by the way a colored pencil drawing could look not only realistic, but richer and more ‘alive’ than the reference photo. An added bonus about the medium was the ease of application, portability of the supplies and virtually no clean-up!   Linda didn’t hesitate to sign up for classes at a colored pencil studio in her area, where she valued ‘hands-on’ lessons for two years.   During this time, she also continued to explore and learn about pencil art through on-line resources, including in-depth graphite courses. In 2012, Linda joined the Colored Pencil Society of America and became an active member of the Chicago Chapter #103.  Later that year, the owner of the studio where she was taking classes offered her training in becoming an instructor. In early 2013, Linda began teaching new students the joys of expressing themselves through art – even those who never thought they had any artistic talent!  

 

Drawing botanicals, still life and people is Linda’s passion, which is only natural, given that she loves both being out in nature and ‘people watching’.  Inspiration comes easily when she attends and takes photos at outdoor arenas such as botanical gardens, arboretums, zoos, sport events and nearly anything where people gather. Once back in her studio she uses her photos as references, but changes them up a bit for better composition.

 

 Linda describes herself as a detailed oriented realist. Her technique is relaxing to her as she uses the elliptical stroke to work up many layers from light to dark using a light touch and sharp pencil. This technique only changes if she is going for a very specific texture or when using a more textured substrate.   She pays close attention to color choices, details and values while working through the topography of her subject.  Although it takes patience and time to lay so many layers down, she does this to develop the ‘painterly’ feel of the wax necessary in giving the drawing beautiful blending. 

 

In early 2015 she had to resign from teaching to prepare for another life change.  Her husband was able to retire; and it was always their plan that when he retired, they would move to a warmer climate.  Linda packed up her studio for the move, but due to unforeseen circumstances along the way, her things stayed in storage for many months.  Thus, she had to take a hiatus from drawing for a year.

 

Now that Linda is settled in her new home, she dedicated 2020-2022 to learning new techniques as well as try many different surfaces.  She has delighted in the drafting film, sanded surfaces as well as pastelmat.  In late 2021 she became the Vice President of the Texas CPSA Chapter 224.  She served her term as vice president and is currently the Facebook administrator for the Texas chapter.