Artists Statement:
I am intrigued with the exploration of light and shadow and its multi-sensory impact on our experience of the world around us. My realistic paintings of sunlit interiors depict basic elements of our homes such as chairs, beds and tables. The portrayal of light interacting with these familiar objects create a comforting and transportive experience. Light passing through the portals of windows, doors and passageways is both a literal and figurative metaphor. The depictions of exterior subject matter continue in this conversation with light and a desire to create a contemplative sense of place for the viewer.
Artist Bio:
Linda Cloonan is a native California Artist, Author & Instructor. Her paintings have attracted national awards, are collected Internationally, and have been featured in Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine. Her work is held in the permanent collection of Levi Strauss & Co. as well as the Hotel Bristol in Sorrento, Italy. Her photographs have been published in Italia Magazine, The front page of the Mendocino Beacon and were prominently featured in the Walnut Creek 100-year Centennial event. Her writing has been published in Mendocino Arts Magazine, Writers of the Mendocino Coast’s 2019 Anthology.
Linda's first book of paintings and photos, "My Summer Of La Dolce Vita", was published in 2012 and depicts her journey through Italy. Linda is a contributing author in the inaugural edition of the book series “Sisters Rising”, published in 2020, and was also commissioned to paint the original artwork for the cover of the book series.
In 2016 Linda left her longstanding career in apparel design, pattern making, and product development to focus her attention on art and writing, as well as to be of service to others through arts education. Linda is a Golden Artist Educator, and serves as Adjunct Faculty at Mendocino College. She is a Signature Member of The California Watercolor Association, as well as an Associate Member with Distinction of the American Women Artists. Her current visual work explores the story-line of meditative and reflective places depicted with mood provoking use of light and shadow.
Artist's CV:
2025
2025- California Watercolor Association's 55th International Exhibition- "There's No Place Like Home."
2/15/25-3/23/25- Piedmont Center for the Arts, Piedmont CA.
2024
2024- "All About Women", Marin Society of Artists. online show-"First Cup", and "The Three Graces.
2024-"Expanding Horizons", American Women Artists Museum Exhibition, Loveland Museum, Loveland Colorado.https://www.thelovelandmuseum.org/expanding-horizons-awa/
AWARD-Confetti Corner-$500 Associate Distinguished Achievement Award.
2024-American Women Artists Annual Online Juried Show
2023
2023- California Watercolor Association 53nd National Exhibition. -"Cottage Sunroom"
2022
2022- California Watercolor Association 52nd National Exhibition. - "Lavanderia De Gaudi
2021
2021- California Watercolor Association 51st National Exhibition. "The Three Graces"- Link
AWARD-The Three Graces- $250 Jade For Memorial Award
2020
2020-Commission: cover image: "Sisters Rising" Link
2020-Commission: brand image: "You Are Not Your Scars"
2020-Commission: Affirmation Images Collection: "You Are Not Your Scars"
2020- Mendocino Art Center “Together Apart” Online Juried Show-"Southern Exposure"
AWARD-"Southern Exposure"- $100 1st place Award
2020 Mendocino Art Center “Behind the Scenes” Online Juried Show - "First Cup"
2020-American Women Artists 2020 Online Juried Show- "After The Storm"
2020- Pence Gallery- Water + Color National Exhibit, Pence Gallery, Davis, CA-
AWARD-"The Three Graces"- $2,000 3rd place Award
2019
2019 Mendocino Art Center Members Show
2018
2018- Kings Hill Cellars- "Zin-Tensive Care" & "Que SYRAH syrah"- Wine labels for Minguillon & Fresco private collection. 2018
2018 American Women Artist's Online Juried show- "Southern Exposure" was one of 117 paintings selected from 995 entries to be
included in this prestigious show.https://americanwomenartists.org/blog/item/293-winners-announced.html
2018-April- Mendocino Art Center Artists in Residence Spring Show.(4/4/18-4/29/180. Artists Reception April 14th, 5-8pm
2018 California Art Club, A Hint of Light- "Sunday Morning"Dates: 2/2/2018-5/29/2018
CaliforniaArtClub.org/exhibitions/current-exhibitions/a-hint-of-light
2018- Mendocino Art Center Members Show
2017
2017 Mendocino Art Center Thanksgiving Fair
2017 Member's Show-North Coast Artists Gallery
2017 - Artists Co-Op of Mendocino -Ekphrasis VI: in collaboration with the Writers of the Mendocino Coast.
2017- Mendocino Arts Magazine » "Capturing LIGHT Through the Architecture of Glazing" (pgs.17-19)
Read Article Here »
2017-Mendocino Art Center Gallery- 3/29/17-4/24-17-2016/2017-Artist in residence spring exhibition.
2017 Mendocino Art Center Member Show - January 6–29, 2017
2016:
2016 ARTIST IN RESIDENCE 2016/2017 Term: Mendocino Art Center, Mendocino, CA
2016 Front page Mendocino Beacon- Double Rainbow:
2016 CWA Members show: "Water Fall" Lindsay Dirkx Gallery, San Ramon, CA
2016 Sebastopol Center For the Arts. "WaterMedia Exhibition" "AFTERNOON SOLACE" received the AWARD-"Afternoon Solace"-$50 Coordinators Choice Award
2015
2015 "Reposa" Sold in the fundraiser hosted by author ANNE LAMOTT :
That Auction benefits the children of the Hanti School in the village of Hanti in Myanmar,
ensuring they have basic educational tools such as pencils to facilitate learning and
to capture creative thoughts, words, and images to paper.
2015 California Watercolor Association Member Show: "Fresh Start" Lindsay Dirkx Brown Gallery
San Ramon Community Center. 12501 Alcosta Blvd. San Ramon, CA • January 5-January 30, 2015
2015-California Art Club: "The Romance of Europe" Altadena Town & Country Club
2290 Country Club Drive Altadena, CA 91001 • January 30-May 26, 2015
2014:
2014 Berkeley Art Center October 18-25, 2014 COLLECT!
2014 Bedford Gallery- "Walnut Creek Turns 100: Celebrating the City Through Art". September 21-November 16
"Mt. Diablo II" is chosen as the featured image for the exhibit brochure.
2014 Cassidy & Clark, Arroyo Grande, CA- Permanent Collection
2014 - Author Day, Unity Center Walnut Creek CA
2014 Valley Art Gallery, Walnut Creek, California
2014 ITALIA Magazine May 2014 Edition-
2013
2013 California Watercolor Association Member Show
AWARD-"Afternoon Solace"-Honorable Mention Award
2012
2012 "My Summer Of La Dolce Vita" One Woman's Journey Through Italy.
Walnut Creek Library- September 26-November 17th. 1644 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
2012 The Sketchbook Project 2012 SketchbookProject 103A N. 3rd St.Brooklyn, NY 11211 Brooklyn Art Library
https://sketchbookproject.com/library/5856
2010:
2010 Gualala Arts Center The May Show 46501 Gualala Road in Gualala, CA,
2010 Napa Valley Mustard Festival: February 6- March 28, 2010 at:
St. Supery Winery, Rutherford, CA Artists Reception: Saturday, February 6, 2010 5pm-7pm
2009
2009 Napa Valley Mustard Festival: February 2- March 29 2009
St. Supery Winery, Rutherford, CA Artists Reception: February 7, 2009 5pm-7pm
2009 Levi Strauss & Co. Holiday Art Show, San Francisco, CA
2009 Beringer Art & Wine Festival, St. Helena, CA
2009 “1155 Battery St.” photograph becomes part of Levi Strauss & Co. Permanent Art Collection
2009 Gallery representation Valley Art Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA
2008
2008 Levi Strauss & Co. Holiday art show
2008 Ravenswood Winery, Sonoma CA September 21, 2008
2008 Gallery representation Valley Art Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA
2007
2007 Levi Strauss & Co. Holiday art show
2007 One woman show- Hiddenbrook Estates, Vallejo
2007 Greece Paint European works show, World of Suzi Long, Mendocino Ca December 8,
2007 Pacific Fine Arts Semi-annual Fine Arts & Crafts Fall Sidewalk Fair Sept. 29, 30, 2007
2007 Cartridge & Browne Winery, Benicia Women’s Co-op Show, August 2007
2007 14th annual Italian Street Painting Festival, San Rafael, CA June 9.10
2007 Mural Painting Project Francisco Middle School, SF
2007 Arts Benicia Open Studios May 5, 6, 2007
2006
2006 Arts Benicia Annual Fund Raiser September 2006
2006 Valley Art Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA
2006 Levi Strauss & Co. Holiday art show December 2006
2005
2005 Valley Art Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA
2004
2004 Participating artist, Arts & Culture Commission of Contra Costa County (AC5)
2004 Valley Art Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA
2003
2003 Valley Art Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA- debut
2002
2002 Murals for private businesses in Contra Costa County
2001
2001 Signature Artist, California Culinary Academy annual Gala
2001 Las Lomas Winter fundraiser auction, Walnut Creek Ca. February
2000
2000 Featured artist, Positive Resources Center, San Francisco Ca
1997
1997 Levi Strauss & Co. Art show