When artist Linda Kay was plotting her next picture, it was a local allotment site which provided the inspiration.
Linda produced two paintings from the Mariners Lane site near her home in Tynemouth – one of a greenhouse and the other of an alleyway between the plots. A keen gardener, her work also includes a study of rhubarb and an overall view of allotments in Berwick.
Now a pop up exhibition of more than 50 of her artworks has opened at the Old Low Light heritage centre on North Shields Fish Quay, running over the weekend until June 4.
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Linda said: “I am a gardener and I love plants. I also like the ramshackle feel of allotments, and the peace and quiet and sound of the birds you get there.”
A founding trustee and active volunteer at the heritage centre, Linda has studied graphic design and fine art to degree level. A quarter of all sales from her exhibition will go to the Old Low Light.
“My background is in graphic design but I received a good grounding in everything from photography to life drawing long before computers rook over as the design tool of choice,” said Linda.
She worked as a graphic designer for Tyne Wear County Council for 11 years before its abolition and then for 25 years ran her own business Linda K Graphic Studio. Now retired, her walking and cycling interests provide her with an array of subjects, including landscapes and seascapes.
She said: “My subject matter and materials var but what binds everything together is a celebration of the things I see around me. Photography, painting and drawing have given me so much enjoyment over the years. I feel that graphic design – applied art – is largely about pleasing others, whereas fine art is largely about pleasing myself.
“I am hoping that my work in this show will not only appeal to others but will also help to boost finances at the Old Low Light centre which is facing challenges following two years of lockdowns and restrictions.”
Centre director Guy Moody said: “Linda is very talented, and this exhibition will provide an opportunity to showcase her interpretation of the world around her, while at the same time raising much needed funds for the heritage centre. Visitors to the centre and galleries will have seen many examples of Linda’s graphic design work without realising it as she gives her time and skills freely, producing the vast majority of our promotional materials and exhibition boards.”
For more about Linda’s artwork, go to http://www.lindakayart.co.uk Admission to the Things Seen exhibition is £4 (members free) from 10am-3pm.
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