Up until this time, Linda enjoyed painting portraits of people with stunning photo realism. But it was when she began to also pursue fashion illustration at a local college, that a teacher challenged her to find her truth within. Shortly thereafter, a style began to birth itself through Linda.

She also began to build a name for herself in the recording and jingle industry, quickly becoming a top call session singer for radio and television as well as recordings, and an NBC Prime Time Friday night variety show.

"I was not only influenced by our rich African American culture in musical performance, but it was the only experience that truly resonated as truth to my soul, and the she-spirit deep within me."

"It was a long and tedious labor. But I knew something incredible was happening to me, something magnificent was trying to channel through me, and I honored that, and let it take its time."

The I AM, her first painting in oil on canvas, took seven years to create.

"I felt I was in a holy place every time I lifted my brush to the canvas. But it would only reveal itself in very small parts. And it was as amazing as writing a song or poem. I experienced the birth in complete awe, and could not speed the process, or consciously plan it out. Because every time I did, the muse would run and hide, sometimes for years! This one was shy, and I wanted her to come and stay and play!!!"

After that painting completed itself, the muse danced through her effortlessly, and the unique style of Linda's Neo Symbolism was born.

Linda's musical successes reached the West Coast, which soon brought her to the attention of Maurice White, from Earth, Wind, and Fire, who flew to Chicago to meet her after receiving a demo tape submitted by Gavin Christopher, her songwriting partner at the time.

More | Back
The Judgementals