Meet Linda Vallejo | Artist, Non-profit Consultant and Fundraiser, and Artist Career Development Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Linda Vallejo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Linda, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I am an artist and entrepreneur. I freelance as a trainer, consultant, and coach for nonprofit organizations and individual artists. Because of my art career I always wanted to work on my own time to be free to paint, exhibit my work, and garner publications.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a painter, sculptor, and installation artist. My artistic career spans five decades and speaks to socio-cultural, socio-political, and environmental issues. I am represented by Parrasch Heijnen, Los Angeles. I was awarded a National Women’s Caucus for the Arts Lifetime Achievement. The only way to become a successful artist is through vision, hard work, and persistence. All professions know difficulties and failures as well as success. In my estimation, idea/concept is king/queen in art world. I believe in being prolific and I value deep, multi-leveled, researched concepts, and finely executed works of art. It is most important to understand the business side of an art career along with the creative side. Learning how to communicate and negotiate successfully with gallerists, museums, scholars, and critics helps to expand and propel an artist’s artist career. I’ve dedicated fifty years to the creation of new images that I hope will impact the art world and art history. I hope to make a contribution to the field.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in an extraordinary area of Los Angeles, Topanga Canyon. I live on five acres with a spectacular view. There are no street lights so the night is filled with the arching setting moon, the stars, and planets. The area is filled with hiking trails glorious with flora and fauna. The Southern California beach is only fifteen away with endless miles of coastline. I would begin a tour at my home and art studio, taking time enjoy a short hike and a good meal, and then travel to visit art galleries and museums in the area to introduce my visitors to esteemed friends and colleagues. We would study regional, national and international arts together at The Getty, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and galleries in Bergamot Station, Culver City, and La Brea. On our way home for dinner on my patio overlooking the canyon, we I would introduce them to Los Angeles’ Eastside to visit Self Help Graphics, LA Plaza de Cultural Y Artes, and of course, my gallery Parrasch Heijnen in downtown Los Angeles where you are surrounded by LA’s robust and beautiful culture.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I dedicate my Shoutout to my parents Adam and Helen Vallejo, my husband Ron Dillaway, and my cultural Alma Mater Self Help Graphics for standing by me and supporting all my efforts to become a recognize artist and successful entrepreneur.

Website: https://www.lindavallejoart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindavallejostudio/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atozgrantwriting/

Facebook: @linda.vallejo

Youtube: @lindavallejostudio700

Other: lindavallejoart.com atozgrantwriting.com

Image Credits
Pablo Aguilar (artist portrait in studio) all other photos taken by Linda Vallejo