Visit the Studio with Linda Berkowitz
Written by John Sillings
Jun 18th, 2020 • 7 minute read
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There’s a cozy, comforting organic feel to the work of painter Linda Berkowitz. The watercolor faces of her paintings are rosy, paired with fruit so bright and ripe we swear we can smell it through the paper. We long to hold the delicate pastel shells of her stunningly quirky “egg planet” portraits. So, it’s no surprise that her studio and work space are just as inviting and warm.
Join us as Linda walks us through her studio as painter and teacher.
What materials do you use? And why?
I like watercolor a lot. I like the way it moves, the fluid quality, and the fact that you can’t always control it. With watercolor, you can paint fast, finishing a painting in a short period of time. After using watercolor for a while I often paint in acrylic or water soluble oils, because I crave the feeling of thicker and more opaque paint. I use oil pastel, pencil, and ink as well. Experimenting and trying new materials keeps my work fresh and continues to challenge and inspire me.
What is your artwork about? What does it speak to?
My artwork is about the way I observe things, mostly nature. I want to show others what I observe and how I feel about what I see. For instance, when I look at a branch of a tree, I see not only the tree, but the shadow it makes on the ground and the color of the shadow. I see how the pattern of leaves growing from it and pay attention to how they attach to the branch. I see the color of the light hitting the branch and leaves as well as the color of the shadows cast from these forms. The way the leaves flutter when the wind blows.
Sometimes my observations are about the way I feel. This is evidenced in my self-portrait painting. I observe a facial feature and how it reflects my mood and what I want to convey about myself. This is expressed with color, light and shadow and with the wolf mask I am wearing. This coronavirus pandemic shook me. I felt the need to be strong and empowered in order to face something terrifying and new –– the wolf mask allowed me to feel that strength. When I’m painting or drawing I become one with my subject, a part of nature, or even the object I am observing.
I want to show others what I observe and how I feel about what I see.
What is your typical routine when you get to the studio? Walk us through a typical studio day.
I paint or create art every day, but not at the same time each day. I work from my home studio so I make coffee, open the curtains and window next to my drawing table and let my cat out on the fire escape. The birds are chirping and the light is coming in. I take everything off of my table that I’m not using. Sometimes I set up objects to then paint in watercolor. Lately I’ve been drawing in oil pastel. I like the creaminess of Senilier oil pastels. Sometimes the park or the botanic garden becomes my studio. I will go there often and sketch or do watercolors on site.
Do you balance another job in addition to being an artist?
I teach art at a senior center in Queens. I feel that teaching is part of being an artist for me. I’m not sure where one thing ends and the other begins. Teaching enables me to try out ideas and see things from the perspective of others. I share my work with them and sometimes paint alongside them. Having to come up with new ideas for class projects inspires me to create. Hearing my students ideas and perceptions and stories, which are different from my own opens me up to new creative experiences.
I recently started teaching these classes via Zoom. One of the classes is called "At the Museum" where we take virtual museum and gallery visits, watch short videos about artists and their practice, and look at lots of artwork images together. The class culminates in a project assignment where the students create a work of art inspired by an artist or a specific work of art they encountered during the class. I also just started to teach a really fun watercolor class via Skillshare called "How to Paint a Cat in Watercolor".
Do you work at a particular size or scale? Why?
Mostly I work small. Many of my watercolors are 9”x12” unframed. I’ll often go larger with my acrylic and oil paintings; sometimes up to 20”x24”.
I often do a series of paintings, keeping them all the same size. I did a series of paintings of what I’ve called “Egg Planets”. I was thinking about the earth and global warming and the need to find other planets to explore. I did a project with my students where we talked about life on earth and the possibility of life on other planets. I asked them to paint and draw planets, real and imaginary. When I teach, I always do a version of the project or painting as an example for my class. We started by painting small, 3” x 5” cards on watercolor paper of these planets. The paper is a textured handmade Indian watercolor paper. I liked the bumpy texture of the paper and the small size which was closer to the size of an egg. You could hold them in the palm of your hand. The shape of the card which was longer on one side made me want to paint longer egg shaped forms –– egg planets!
I enjoyed the egg shape because of what an egg can symbolize. To me it represents life and birth. I have completed about 10 of these 3”x5” paintings and I continue to paint more. Each one is created with a combination of watercolor, graphite, ink, acrylic and metallic paint. One sold at Ground Floor Gallery and another at 440 Gallery in Brooklyn.
A few years ago, I was asked to participate in a pop-up show –– a food exhibit called “Tastemakers” at Court Tree Gallery. I decided on painting a series of root vegetables inspired by produce at the farmers market at Grand Army Plaza. Root vegetables interest me because of their inherent connection with the earth, roots, and sustainability. They are acrylic paintings at 16” x 20”. One of carrots, the second of beets and the third of white turnips.
What are you currently working on? Share with us what is exciting to you about this most recent work
I’ve been doing some watercolors, using some of my favorite objects from my home. Some of which were given to me by friends. I mix these with fruits and things I have around the house to create unique still-lifes. I think that it helps to look at what you have in a new way. It’s exciting to work with the color and shape of these objects we mindlessly interact with on a daily basis. I’m also doing some portraits. My most recent painting is a portrait of myself with a wolf mask. It is painted on glass using acrylics and oil pastels. I was thinking of how we have to be strong and that we are vulnerable against the coronavirus. I like to see myself as a warrior and a survivor.
I think that it helps to look at what you have in a new way.
Which artists most inspire you and your work?
John Singer Sargent has always been one of my favorites. I am always blown away by the spontaneity of his watercolors. I have also always loved the work of Paul Klee. Lately I’ve been looking at and being inspired by the work of Lee Krasner. She was an amazing painter. Swoon and her work is a constant source of inspiration. Patti Smith inspires me as a writer and singer while Murakami inspires my imagination.
Do you have any current or upcoming exhibits? Please share!
While in quarantine, a few weeks ago, I had a painting in “The Weekly Curation: WFH” by Mel Reese for Art in Res. I also have a portrait drawing in “Artwork From Quarantine” on @ArtsGowanus’ instagram page.
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We hope you’ve enjoyed this special peek into Linda's creative environment! Even in a virtual age, we encourage all budding collectors to take the time to connect with the artists you love directly.
We want to remind you of our awesome artist messaging feature directly on the Art in Res site––reach out now and foster that creative energy! Have more questions for Linda on her art and practice? Follow up with her directly via our messenger. We know she’ll be thrilled to answer any questions you might have. Ask about a specific painting or about her specific process in general––either approach works!
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