 |
Like most
wildlife artists, Linda was enchanted with animals at an early
age. It was vivid childhood memories of her great-uncle and his
African hunting stories which gave her an immediate sense of
the adventure one experiences when exploring wild animals and
places. Linda was drawn to the outdoors through her geology bachelor's
degree from Colgate University, followed with a Master of Science
degree which enabled her to get into the back country of Alaska,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, and Montana. |
| Linda works
from her field sketches, small field paintings and her photographs
to create a composition designed to reflect the inherent artistry
of nature. Painting exclusively in oil because she likes its
luminosity, depth, and intensity of color, Linda uses a mostly
wet-on-wet technique to capture the immediacy of the image. She
lives in the country surrounded by deer, wild turkey, grouse,
quail, coyote, and the occasional moose, bear, and mountain lion. |
|
 |
To gather
reference for her paintings, Linda has traveled to every U.S.
state, 35 countries, and all seven continents. Three extended
visits to Africa included a 70 km canoe trip on the Zambezi River
in Zimbabwe. Linda has traversed remote tundra in Labrador researching
the caribou migration, been dropped off by float plane to salmon-filled
streams to watch grizzly bears in Alaska, paddled 459 miles above
the Arctic Circle on the Noatak River, and snorkeled with wild
beluga whales in Hudson Bay. |
Her exhibitions and shows
have included:
Safari Club International 2018 Artist of the Year
Safari Club International Foundation 2014 Conservation Artist
of the Year
Safari Club International, Reno, and Las Vegas, 1999-2018
2017 Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Featured Artist
Birds in Art, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum 2001-2006, 2008,
2010, 2013-2014, 2016
Birds in Art 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2005-2007, 2010-2012
National Tour
C.M. Russell Museum Auction, 2015, 2017, 2018
Oil Painters of America National Exhibit, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015
Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibit, 2009, 2011,
2013, 2016, 2017
The Artist Magazine Competition, 3rd Place Wildlife/Animal, 2016,
Honorable Mention 2017
Artists for Conservation China Tour 2017
Endangered Species - Flora and Fauna, Dept of the Interior, Washington,
DC, 2008-2009
Art Renewal Center Salon Finalist, 2016, 2017
Richeson 75 Animals, Birds & Wildlife Finalist, 2016, 2017
NatureWorks, Tulsa, OK, 2002-2018;
Best in Show - 2D, Natureworks 2014
Award of Excellence, Natureworks, 2009
Best In Show, Natureworks 2007
Best In Show - Miniature , Natureworks 2005
Alberta (Canada) Conservation Stamp 2005
Society of Animal Artists 44th, 46th, 48th - 52nd Annual Exhibition
Ethology Award 2010, 50th SAA Annual Exhibition
David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation shortlist for Wildlife Artist
of the Year 2011
International Guild of Realism Annual Exhibition 2011 - 2016
International Guild of Realism Winter Salon 2017
International Guild of Realism Masterworks Museum Tour 2015-
2016
Paint the Parks Full-size Award Winner
Nancy McLaughlin Award, Spokane Valley Arts Council, 2014
Signature Member of Oil Painters of America
Signature Member of the Society of Animal Artists |
More photos of Linda's encounters
with Nature's amazing creatures:
Feel free to contact Linda. Unless
she is out on some new adventure,
she will be happy to respond to you promptly.
LINDA BESSE
15908 E. Cooper Rd.
Mead, WA 99021
(509) 238-9129
e-mail: Linda@BesseArt.com
BesseArt.com
Linda is a Signature Member of
the Society of Animal Artists.
Linda is also a member of Oil Painters of America and the International
Guild of Realism. |
|
