Meet Botanical Artist Lynda Young
I love to recreate nature whether plant or animal. I get a buzz from being able to do this comparatively easily and enjoy the creative process.
Of course I love the positive comments from friends and always get a rush of pride when I sell a print.
I also love to share my skills and see the look of joy on an adult student’s face when they realise how clever they can be!
I grew up in Hobart , went to school and University here and relocating to the mainland, always visited my parents annually.
Always With a Sketch Book
Over subsequent years I have travelled and camped in most of Tassie’s beautiful sites. Always with sketchbook in hand I delight in recording interesting plants and trees. Where else in the world can you have the bush or beach to yourself?
The clean air and sharp colours inspire me to paint and the native animals intrigue me.
The Origins of a Botanical Artist
As a child I drew on any available surface (including the varnished window sills). I was the first to nab the white paper wrapped around the new cakes of soap.
My Christmas stocking always contained colouring pencils and paints. Life got in the way of an artistic career but I have always loved to draw and create.
I had an awesome art teacher at Hobart High School and in my final year learnt so many skills which I still enjoy.
Entering the World of Botanical Art
Once my children were independent I began to explore those skills. I achieved my Diploma of Botanical Art in 2001 and entered the marvellous world of plants.
I attended countless art sessions with Gillian Rankin in Brisbane where I learnt to use different media and exhibited yearly in Floressence, the Brisbane Botanical Art Society’s annual exhibition.
I have progressed to animal paintings lately and love to experiment with different styles and media.
Work in Progress of a Dog Pet Portrait
Get your entry in today for this year's Art Trails Tasmania Art Exhibition
A Studio With a View
A desk under a window has always been my studio! Here in Kayena I look out onto flowers which change with the seasons.
Azaleas, geraniums, hellebores, roses and jasmine inspire my art and give me an appreciation of nature‘s bounty.
Watercolour for Botanical Art
Watercolour is my favourite medium for Botanical Art, it lends itself to the subtle graduation of colours in plants. For animal portraits I prefer using pastel pencil which captures the texture of fur.
Running Popular Botanical Art Classes
I have been running several U3A courses this year at the local community centre. I thought learning about Botanical Art might be of interest to a few and was overwhelmed with the numbers of adults who enrolled!
Twenty the first session of nine lessons and a similar number for the second, almost half who wanted to repeat!
Nothing can compare to the look of pride when the participants displayed their work. Me, of course, I felt so good to have inspired them all.
Belonging and Learning with the West Tamar Art Group
I am always open to learning new artistic styles and enrol in workshops that interest me, from ceramics to eco dying!
I belong to the West Tamar Art Group, exhibiting with them regularly. I learn a great deal from fellow artists who encourage me in my endeavours.
Join our growing members community today to share your Artist Profile story.
Redbubble Success
Building up a collection of artworks I began to look for outlets. Redbubble has been amazing as a free promoter and marketer.
The local gallery has been an enormous help in selling my cards and prints.
Children’s Picture Book Illustration
The other very exciting development has been publishing a children’s’ nonfiction picture book based on my animal paintings. So many friends want a copy that 200 are being printed and a challenging adventure beckons.
Using Photography as a Painting Reference
Getting out into nature is good for my soul and encourages me to observe closely the wonders around me.
Much of my artworks are based on photographs I have taken in the bush and with the internet I often save beautiful pictures of plants and animals.
Finding the Balance with Exhibitions
Participating in exhibitions can often result in a mixed bag of emotions. If you sell a work there is elation, that someone has fallen in love with your art and has parted with their money!
If nothing sells you feel disappointed and wonder why you paid to participate and what’s wrong with your art?
However, to take part is to be involved and to feel a part of the art community.
To exhibit means you have tried to produce something worthy of selling and have excelled to your best!
About the Artist
I have been painting now for over 20 years and am still learning.
Botanical Art was my first love but now I enjoy new challenges.
I apply all my knowledge of different media and techniques to new subjects.
Pet portraits bring a lot of happiness to people and I enjoy using pastel pencils, capturing their soul first with the eyes.
I enjoy sharing my knowledge with others and watching their skills improve and their awareness of their surroundings become second nature.
Art has become an essential part of my life and brings me great joy.
Follow Lynda on Facebook and shop with her on Redbubble and Vida.
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Read What Our Members Say About Belonging
Join the growing, supportive artists community today and have your Artist story told here.
Belinda is doing a great job creating a professional looking artist hub online. Check out the profile I posted recently to see how well she does them. To all my artist friends let’s help make this THE go to place to discover local artists.
You won’t regret joining Art Trails Tasmania . It’s a welcoming community for creatives at any career stage.Becoming an Art Trails Tasmania member wasn’t a hard decision for me to make as it’s such a wealth of knowledge and support.Being member provides a quality way to showcase your creative endeavours and it’s quickly growing in reach.
We operate a home based picture framing business and recently joined Art Trails Tasmania as a means to giving us exposure to the wider artist community. We have almost immediately seen increase in activity thru our online sites, which I am certain will lead to more opportunities to grow our business.
Artist Profile Stories
I want there to be more arts and crafts in our world, in our communities and in our own lives. Hopefully you’ve found this blog post inspiring and interesting.
So I’m creating, with your help, Art Trails Tasmania, allowing all of us who feel this love to create more of it.
And the Art Trails Tasmania blog is a key part of making this happen, telling the stories of members. It’s about what they have happening with workshops and classes, exhibitions, open studio trails, where to find their outlets, markets, fairs and festivals so you can shop their creations as well as their art and craft retreats.
Also being shared are the supporters of our artists, the galleries, shops, cafes, art societies and groups, places to stay and artist in residencies.
