• Parade Location Address: 110 Rosewood
• Hm: 830-249-8301
• Cell: 210-862-2068
• E-mail: llchalberg@hughes.net
• Media: Original watercolors and giclée prints
• Subjects: Landscapes, townscapes, still lifes. Creative realism, using light and color, is inspired by sketching from life and on location in Italy, France, and the Texas Hill Country.
• Gallery Hours: M-Sat 10-5 Sun 12-4

Linda Chalberg "Life begins at 50." Or at least a very different, new life certainly can. The first phase of Linda's life consisted of obtaining a B.S. in Elementary Education along with a post graduate Library Science certification, teaching, and family things: raising two sons, coaching soccer, and volunteering in her church, Boerne schools, and PTO. Part II began in 1997 when she attended a watercolor workshop on location (en plein air) in Colorado. Seeing new and beautiful places and learning to paint has become her passion. Linda has traveled to Big Bend and other Texas locations, as well as, Mexico, Connecticut, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, California, and back to Colorado several times for the joy of seeing with new eyes and for the challenge of trying to capture the essence of the scene before her. Linda uses her sketches, photographs, journals, and memories for new paintings. These painting trips along with studio classes have provided opportunities to study with over 15 nationally known artists. As an artist, she is learning, growing, developing.

Why watercolor? Because of the magic moment that happens watching the paint flow from the brush onto and into the paper. This process gives this artist great pleasure.

A travel journal bulging with mementos, notes, and sketches is one of Linda's most treasured possessions. She takes inspiration and information collected from travels back to her studio to create expressive, color-filled watercolors. Whether the subject is flowers, gardens, historical structures, village scenes, vistas or unique market settings, Linda enjoys the challenge of working out a composition and the enjoyment of putting paint on paper.
"Painting en plein air is wonderful, frustrating, transforming, challenging, and enriching. Soaking up the sights, sounds, and smells, feeling the heat of the sun or the blast of a cold wind, holding a paintbrush in one hand while grabbing a bite of local food with the other, all combine to help me capture what I feel about the subject. Bugs in my paint? They just add texture!"

In June, 2003, Linda joined six other Boerne artists to open the Carriage House Gallery of Artists (110 Rosewood) in an historic old house just off Main Street. Having a place to show and sell her paintings in the same little town that she's lived in for the past 25 years has added another dimension to her ‘art journey'. Interacting with visitors to the gallery, as well as, the other artists has further enriched her life. By displaying small ‘stories' next to her paintings, Linda is able to take the visitors on a short trip to the experience on location where the painting began.

Organizations

• Carriage House Gallery of Artists-President
• Boerne Area Artists Association
• San Antonio Watercolor Group
• New Braunfels Art League
• Guadalupe Watercolor Group
• Texas Watercolor Society-Signature Member

Honors and Awards

In the short time that Linda has been painting, she has been accepted in regional juried shows and garnered the following awards:

• 1997 Hill Country Arts Foundation "Deck the Walls" -Honorable Mention
• 2000 Hill Country Arts Foundation Christmas Show- Third Place
• 2002 Boerne Area Artists Association Fall Colorfest -People's Choice Award
• 2003 New Braunfels Art League Wonders of Watercolor Show- Judges Award
• 2003 Guadalupe Watercolor Group Members Show -Members' Award
• 2004 Guadalupe Watercolor Group Members Show -Award of Excellence
• 2005 Texas Watercolor Society Annual Exhibit