Meet Linzi Lynn | Artist

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

Hi Linzi, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I was born and raised in London and have always been artistic. From a young age my parents recognized my theatrical ability as I continued to use the living-room as a stage, so they decided to send me to theatrical school. At 11 years old I had my professional debut performing at the London Palladium which led me to pursue a career as a professional singer/dancer. After traveling the world with a show, I ended up being a featured singer at a famous nightclub in London “The Talk of the Town”. Then I met my husband and decided to settle down and have a family. After we moved to France, I was missing my creative side and had nothing to inspire me, except for the knowledge that Picasso lived on the next block! Even though I was always the worst in art class, I just thought it could be fun to splash paint around a canvas. I bought some paints and messed up a few canvases. After a while, each painting became better than the last and before long I was hooked and obsessed with art.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
When I began painting, my works reflected dark subjects and the negative side of life. Later on, after moving to Italy I was also influenced by Caravaggio’s moody paintings. After a while I began growing tired of the thematic direction and focus of my art, and decided I needed a change. After reevaluating I thought to myself “what if I painted everything in bright multi-colors to produce “happy” paintings?” The first painting in this series was a multi-colored elephant with a gold background. A consultant suggested I paint several paintings using this color scheme and so I did. I was so determined to paint my way out of my day job, so I painted every weekend until I had enough of these paintings to call them a series. This series of paintings became very popular at art festivals, and I also sold originals and hand-embellished limited editions through my website.

In 2014 I was approached by an online publisher, and I have been with them ever since. They have sold thousands of prints from my paintings through Wayfair, Amazon, Overstock and others. I have bestsellers such as “Windswept” which has sold approximately 40-50,000 prints to date and “The Ride” has sold approximately 25-30,000, with prints of my other paintings following close behind.

Today I am an award-winning artist, including 14 “American Art Awards”. My art has sold worldwide and has been featured in publications, on magazine covers, in 2 Netflix television series, in galleries and art festival throughout California and Florida. My most recent solo exhibition was at AC gallery (now ACCA Gallery) in Hollywood, California.

Being an artist is a very difficult job. People tend to think that artists just pick up the brush and paint freely. Even though it is my passion it is still a dedication. As a self-taught artist, I have learned in my 50 years of painting that:

• You need to develop a unique, recognizable style.
• You need discipline.
• To save headaches, plan before starting a painting.
• Don’t be afraid to trash an idea or a painting.
• Display your paintings anywhere and everywhere. Don’t hold onto them as you will accumulate and be buried by your art.
• Learn social media and Photoshop.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When I first arrived in LA my favorite thing to do was go to the ocean and the sunsets are amazing. I lived in Redondo Beach so for me walking or jogging on the Strand from Redondo Beach to Hermosa Beach to Manhattan Beach was a regular weekend activity. Strolling along Redondo Beach Pier there are restaurants, entertainment and shops, pelicans and seagulls, and local fishermen with their fresh catch. I buy fresh fish at “Quality Seafood” the Fresh Fish Market and then stop by Coffee Cartel for a cappuccino and snack. On a Sunday I enjoy going to The Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach for their Sunday Jazz Brunch. I also love to people watch at Café Bonaparte in Hermosa Beach. Sitting outside enjoying the ocean breeze, with a coffee and an almond chocolate croissant, I’m in heaven! Manhattan Beach also offers many restaurants and shops and at the end of the pier it’s fun to pay a visit to the Roundhouse Aquarium.

Of course, visitors from out of town will get a guided tour. We’ll go to the ocean in Malibu. Do the Hollywood Boulevard tour. Walk along the Venice boardwalk and Santa Monica pier. Visit Griffith Park which has great trails. My favorite hike is up to the Hollywood sign followed by Chicken Parmesan and Chianti at Palermo’s on N Vermont. We would take them to the Griffith Observatory. Get tickets for an evening show at the Hollywood Bowl. Have breakfast at The Griddle on Sunset or Hugo’s on Santa Monica Blvd. The Getty center is a must, followed by dinner at Musso & Frank’s. What could be better?

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
As I am a self-taught artist, I credit my success to hard work, determination, and talent. There are people who have believed in me and given me love and encouragement notably my husband and my son. The late Jack Duganne was my mentor, printer and friend. He was an artist and an expert in fine art printing technology, coiner of the term Giclée, teacher at Santa Monica College, Otis College of Art and Design and UCLA Extension. He was a master in his field but most importantly he was always selflessly kind and generous with his time and teachings and patiently spent hours with me on Photoshop matching the colors and textures from my original paintings to perfect the prints.

Website: www.linzilynn.com

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

Linkedin: Linzi Lynn

Twitter: Linzi Lynn @linzarts

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linzilynn

Yelp: Linzi Lynn

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@linzilynn4180

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/linzilynn/pins/

Image Credits
ACCA Gallery