Linda Blondheim's work is often described as
painterly realism, or representational painting. Sometimes she is referred to
as a representational expressionist or American impressionist. She enjoys plein air painting
almost year round because of the mild Florida climate, and enjoys traveling
throughout the South to capture the beauty found in each state. Much of Blondheim's
work is done en plein air, and she uses her location studies to complete larger
works in the studio. Her paintings are found in private and corporate
collections throughout the United States.
Blondheim started painting as a child
at about 8 years old.She was a member of a horse club
that met in the spare room at her house.The group spent their time drawing horses and painting them with tempera and
watercolor.
By high school, she graduated to
oil paints. She set up a garret studio in
her home attic and fancied herself as one of the French Impressionists living in Paris,
sitting in a café’. Insisting on painting from life, she borrowed things from her mother’s refrigerator, often leaving them out past
their prime, much to my Mother’s dismay. Blondheim went to art school and was a drawing major, but also continued to study painting. She went on to earn her bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Tampa
These days Blondheim is "a bit older"
and far more practical in her approach to painting. Her focus is on the Southern
Landscape; she treasures the heritage of the South and strives to record those
places she finds dear. "I am excited by the landscape
and all of its mysteries," states Blondheim. "From the North
CarolinaMountains
to the deep swamps of Alabama, Georgia and Florida, I love them all and it is privilege
to record them on canvas." One of her passions over the last two years has been working on a series about
Florida Rivers.
Blondheim's painting process includes
several different steps.She does hundreds
of studies every year for larger works. She paints on location, especially in the
fall and spring, using the small paintings to record information for larger
studio paintings.She studies a variety of
disciplines in painting, including values, color theory, Notan, and
composition, while also using several mediums, including watercolor, oils, gouache,
casein, and acrylics.
Blondheim goes on to explain, "Creating original paintings
is my life’s work. Recording the land I love so much from the depth of my soul
is my gift. When you own an original painting by an artist who truly
understands and loves the subject they paint, you have something precious and
rare, that no one else will ever have."
Blondheim is proud to call Gainesville, Florida, her home.
Awards and Honors
Listed artist with Art Price, Ask Art, The American Artist Bluebook, and Marquis Who's Who in American Art.
Represented by galleries in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia
In museum collections in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia
Member of
Plein Air Florida, Florida Artist Group, Inc., Southern Ladies Art Conference, Alabama
Plein Air Artists, and Plein Air Georgia
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