We have many talented artists and creatives living and working in our Farmington/Farmington Hills community and our weekly interview series, sponsored by City Life Realty, will introduce you to some of them.

Today we feature artist Linda Pelowski.

When did you first get started in the arts?

I enjoyed drawing from when I was very young. I would get a stack of loose-leaf paper and sit at the kitchen table and draw cartoons, animals, comic strip characters for hours and hours. In high school I would take all the art classes I could, and then in community college I would take many art classes along with some business courses. My parents encouraged me to take business courses knowing I could make more of a career with that than art, so I did. After community college, I transferred my credits to Wayne State University knowing they had a program in Industrial Design and could make a good career from that.  I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in fine art, with a concentration in Industrial Design. After college, I started my industrial design career with a local design firm where I would design kitchen appliances and graphics. During this time, I took many classes at the Center for Creative Studies to further my talents in other fields.

Then I moved my career path into architectural interiors, designing interior and exterior retail markets. After I got married, I quit my job and worked for myself, freelancing in this field for twenty years doing graphic design and fine art perspective renderings for many design companies around the Metro Detroit area. I also painted murals for many years, residential and commercial.

I now work as a full time Artist, painting plein air, studio work and commissions, while still taking classes. I love learning and improving while having fun.

Who has been a mentor to you along the way?

I really didn’t have any one to help me along the way, I had to make many hard decisions on my own and make mistakes to learn the hard way of making a success of my career. I had the love of drawing and painting to drive me in the direction I was heading and it sure did pay off.  I had the luxury of coming and going on my own and make my own hours while raising my son.

Are you a member of any local or regional arts groups?

Yes, I am a member of the Farmington Art Foundation, Village Fine Art Association of Milford, Great Lakes Pastel Society, Michigan Plein Air Painters and the Great Lakes Plein Air Painters Association.

Can you describe something you’ve created that is particularly meaningful to you?

I really don’t have one thing that I have done that is meaningful, all my work that I do has a special

feel to me. I love painting outdoors, photos are good when you can’t paint outside, but you get a wonderful light that you wouldn’t get from photos.

Can you share a favorite quote about art or life?

Well, there is one that I have to mention.  It is by Edgar Degas: “Painting is easy when you don’t know how, but very difficult when you do.”

Very True!

And one by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Every artist was first an amateur.”

What advice or suggestions do you have for younger artists?

If they have a desire, then create! Always know, you have to put in the hours and time to grow as an artist. It doesn’t come overnight.

Learn more about Linda and her work.

(Are you an artist or creative living in Farmington/Hills? We’d like to feature you and your work here, too. Download our questionnaire and return it to info@kickstartfarmington.org.)