We were lucky to catch up with Linda C recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Linda, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Lots of trial and error. I relied on free programs like Gimpshop to learn the basics. There are so many free editing programs out there which are wonderful to experiment with, especially if you aren’t sure if you want to subscribe to Photoshop yet. I learned so much from these programs and it made the transition to Photoshop so much easier. Tutorials are also a must! Many people prefer to purchase their tutorials, but I learned everything I know for FREE. Don’t pay unless you have to! You can find tutorials on websites that cater to design (ex. Envato, PSD Stack, etc.) and YouTube.

If I could return to the past and speed up my learning process, I would have taken nondestructive editing much more seriously. Nondestructive editing is basically “safe editing” that allows the artist to make changes to an artwork, unlike destructive editing which is much more permanent and difficult to correct. This could have saved me HOURS of work in my earlier years. Understanding smart objects/filters and using layers can make your life easier! I’d also say that learning nondestructive editing as a beginner will save you so much grief in your art career.

My biggest obstacle at the moment is life. Sitting down and taking the time to edit requires a tremendous amount of focus and attention, and with three kids I can only succeed in editing when they’re all asleep. This means that my time to create art is very limited. But this is only a phase- one day I’ll have much more time to finish all my projects. For now, I’ll maximize what time I do have to create at night.

Linda, 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 name is Linda and I’m a digital artist who specializes in bringing a child’s imagination to life. My children are my inspiration- their creative play is what fuels my ideas. I also love working with all sorts of people (families, authors, musicians, etc.) to create personal works, book/music covers, and other forms of art. I also am experienced in general retouching, creating ads and invitations.

I am unique because my work is so personal, especially when families approach me to create for their children. I like to remind parents that childhood is such a tender and short period- we want to remember these sweet moments. One way to do that is to create who they are as an individual during this time in their life.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Social media can be so intimidating, but it’s such a great way to get your foot out there. Finding fellow artists and following them is one way to build your audience. Also joining art communities that share your ideas/style is also a big help. And engage with your audience/other artists! Cannot stress this enough. You’re not the only artist out there. Check out who is out there and support them! You may find inspiration this way.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Sometimes I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing. Honestly, editing can feel really intimidating! Especially when I’m making something new. So when I have a finished product, it feels SO GOOD to look back and see how I brought together different ideas/techniques to bring an idea to life.

I’ve told my husband many times that editing feels like a big video game that never ends. I’m always trying to beat the “boss” and my approach is always different. It’s what I love about Photoshop!

Contact Info:

• Website: lindacdesign.com
• Instagram: yellowicou.s
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yellowicous