“My response to the subject matter is an emotional one. After sketching ‘en plein air’ and taking photographs, I return to my studio and paint from memory. 

In my work I try to capture a fleeting moment in time, a memory of a place, the colours, textures, shapes and light, and how I feel. My landscapes and seascapes reflect my love of wide open spaces, big skies, and the power and fragility of nature. My abstract works reflect not only my love of the landscape of the Wairarapa but also my love of plants and flowers. 

I enjoy the spontaneity of mark-making and work in a variety of media such as pastel, pencil, ink, graphite, charcoal, collage, acrylic and oil paint. My works are layered, textured and expressive as I try to find new meaning and connection to the subject matter.”

Linda studied Fine Arts and majored in printmaking.  She re-discovered the joy of painting a few years ago and in recent years has studied at the St Ives School of Painting and the Newlyn School of Art in Cornwall, UK. 

Working intuitively, Linda enjoys the challenges of abstraction and the unexpected things that happen whilst completely immersed in the creative process. Abstract art is a portrait of the inner self and abstract paintings are “visual poems that illustrate the human lived experience.” As human beings we are beautiful and flawed. We have loved and lost, celebrated and grieved, found joy and pain, and have experienced both light and dark.

“I often start a painting without a fixed idea of what I am going to paint. I activate the surface by making quick and expressive marks in pastel and charcoal, add some colour and gradually an idea or image emerges. Sometimes it happens quickly and with ease and at other times it is a long process that involves layers of paint. It is always thoughtful, reflective and completely immersive with my inspiration coming from the natural world and my response to it.”

Linda is excited about her solo exhibition at Aratoi in Masterton scheduled for May to August in 2025.

Linda’s work is available to purchase via her website and home studio. 

Web: www.lmkartanddesign.com

Email: lmkartanddesign@gmail.com

Instagram: #lmkartdesign #lindamairkirkland

Facebook: L M Kirkland Art