We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Linda Ann Weber. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Linda Ann below.

Hi Linda Ann, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Art has always been a part of my life. Always drawing, doodling, creating since I could pick up a crayon. I took any and every art class I could in school—from drawing, painting, jewelry making etc… I didn’t know I could make a living as a fine artist, but a friend of mine in school had a mother that was a “Commercial Artist” and from that day on I decided that is what I would be. I had no clue what that was, but I’d figure it out! Finally when it came to apply to colleges I was looking into different art programs at state schools. I ended up at Illinois State University which had one of the better art programs and pursued my education as a “Graphic Designer”. My first 25-30 was devoted to working in the commercial art world as a package designer and them spent most of my career in publishing design. During that time I was always doing some kind of art on my own. Finally around 2012 I did this amazing abstract workshop with a friend of mine and it was life changing. I decided to plunge into abstract intuitive painting full time and close up shop in the graphic design world. 2015 I had enough work to launch my artist website and never looked back.

Linda Ann, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My first couple of jobs were in the package design industry, I was in the industry for 5-6 years. My seciond job in packaging was a small boutique establishment off of Michigan Avenue. Worked for hi-profile companies like Kraft, Burger King, Uncle Bens Rice, A premium coffee company to name a few. It was fun and satisfying for awhile until I found one of our package design campaigns crumpled up in a ditch on broadway avenue in Chicago. Very eye opening—I’m making garbage! After that, I took a break went to Europe for 5 weeks with friends and family. When I returned home I started looking for a new job. Got a job at a publishing company in the Chicago area, started as a designer, promoted to senior art director a few years later, then became managing art director and then freelance there for many years. The company published all kind on books on different subjects so it never really got boring and I was creating something more lasting. I was wearing many hats in that job(s) and learned a lot!.

Currently I’ve been painting full time since 2013. I want people to know I work really hard and love what I do. I like to experiment and play as I work at my fine art practice. I try to take 1-2 workshops a year to energize my creative juices. It’s aleay fun to meet an paint with outher artists. You learn so much and it’s just amazing. My studio is out of my home, studio tours are welcome to potential clients, I am currently showing my work at Altalia in the RRD design district Chicago. And Casa Spazio (a high end Italian furniture showroom) in Winnetka. I’ve shown my work at the Highland park art center, been featured in Sheridan road magazine. Have had several exhibitions in the city.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Living in the moment and being free when creating my artwork. I always want to have play in my work and experimentation. I think by doing that it moves me forward as an artist and it just makes life more interesting.

And art can be really good therapy!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Since I started out as a designer, I was alway told what to create to a certain extent. What font to use, what colors I should use, what photo to feature etc…

When I started creating art for me in my journey I struggle with “What the @!&*#$ do I want to create???” It was scary at at first—what if I fail? Will people like my art?. You just need to move forward and face your fears and create. It will come.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lindaannweber.com/
• Instagram: @laweberartist
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linda.annweber/

Image Credits

Photo of me: Photography by Robin Subar; shot on location at The Paragon Chicago