Linda L. Phillabaum - Fine Art in Colored Pencil
About the Artist
Linda Phillabaum — Colored Pencil Artist
Linda Phillabaum’s love of art began early in life and has remained a constant throughout her journey. Although her career initially took her into the business world, she continued to make room for her creative interests. Upon retiring in 2003, she was eager to devote more time to the passion that had always been part of her life.
In 2010, inspired by colored pencil artwork she encountered at summer art festivals, Linda became fascinated by the medium’s ability to transform a drawing into something remarkably realistic yet rich with color, depth, and life. Intrigued by its possibilities, she enrolled in classes at a local colored pencil studio, where she studied for five years. She also continued her education independently through online resources and in-depth graphite drawing courses.
In 2012, Linda joined the Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA) and became an active member of Chicago District Chapter 103. The following year, after training as an instructor, she began teaching students of all experience levels, helping them discover the joy of artistic expression—even those who had never considered themselves artists.
Finding Inspiration
Linda is drawn to a wide range of subjects, including botanicals, still life, and people. Her love of nature and her fascination with observing people provide an endless source of inspiration. Using her photographs as reference, she often makes thoughtful adjustments to composition and lighting to create a more compelling image.
One of the defining characteristics of Linda’s work is her fascination with light and shadow. Whether capturing the subtle reflections on a glass surface, the delicate colors of a white porcelain teacup, or the play of light across a person’s face, she seeks to reveal the beauty and character that light brings to a subject. Her varied interests are connected by a desire to look beyond the obvious and discover what makes an ordinary scene extraordinary.
The Art of Colored Pencil
Linda describes herself as a detail-oriented realist who enjoys the meditative process of building an image layer by layer. Working primarily with a light touch and a sharp pencil, she develops color and depth through numerous layers, progressing from lighter to darker values. Her characteristic elliptical strokes encourage smooth blending and help create the rich, painterly quality she seeks. She adapts her approach to suit the texture of the subject and the surface on which she works, paying close attention to color relationships, fine details, and the interplay of light and dark.
Although this process requires patience, Linda finds satisfaction in watching an image gradually emerge through the careful layering of color. She continues to experiment with techniques and surfaces, exploring new ways to expand the possibilities of colored pencil.
A Journey That Continues
In 2015, Linda stepped away from teaching when she and her husband moved to Texas, fulfilling their long-held dream of living in a warmer climate. The move provided an opportunity to explore new techniques, experiment with different drawing surfaces, and continue developing her artistic voice. In late 2021, she became Vice President of the Texas CPSA District Chapter 224 and later served as the chapter’s Facebook administrator.
After ten years in Texas, family brought Linda and her husband back to Illinois, where their grandchildren had been growing up. The move meant packing and reestablishing her studio once again—and then moving it one more time to a single-level home.
With her studio finally settled in what she affectionately calls her “forever home,” Linda is embracing this next chapter with renewed enthusiasm for creating art, exploring new possibilities, and sharing her love of colored pencil. She currently serves as Webmaster for the Chicago CPSA District 103 Chapter.
Her artistic journey continues, guided by curiosity, patience, and an enduring appreciation for the beauty found in people, nature, and the transformative power of light.