ABOUT

My name is Linda Kirkland and I am an artist and educator living in the beautiful Wairarapa region of New Zealand.

“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. My landscapes and seascapes reflect my love of wide open spaces, big skies, and the power and fragility of nature.  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.”

“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.”