Chamberlain’s primary focus in designing her mixed media paintings is the exploration of man and his relationship to the natural environment. Her pieces evoke conceptual references to nature, botanical themes, the figurative form and early childhood memories. At first glance Linda Chamberlain’s paintings are lighthearted and fun, with a hint of the Arts and Crafts Movement, but some have said her work could be compared to the work of Maurice Sendak. This makes you pause to take another look and see beneath the surface.
Linda believes that every artist, and especially every painter, must work diligently to create a technique that is distinctly their own. Brush strokes, depth of color and texture, and the media with which you work all play a part. Chamberlain may spend several hours working and reworking a background to bring about the feeling and intensity that suits her. She often uses tactile found objects in her work including wire, letterpress type and antique numbers. You’ll also find the appearance of birds, the moon tree, and a bear by the name of Bob.
Special painting processes unite all elements. Various woodworking equipment: the lathe, router and scroll saw, are employed to develop architectural elements and the painting supports. Texturing and transfer techniques, developed by the artist, contribute to the dialogue. Chamberlain draws upon the simplification associated with the Arts and Crafts Period. She creates works that eliminate the superfluous in life, reducing reality to the essentials.