Artist Feature: Linda Greig – My Muse, The Garden

'Misty Poppies', Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas, 24"Hx24"Wx1.5"

Meet our featured artist for 'Botanicals', Linda Greig. Linda feels deeply fortunate to live on Vancouver Island, where the lush forests, blue sea, and vibrant spring blooms fuel her creativity. Her garden is a favourite muse, and many of her works are inspired by rambling gardens, overflowing vases of flowers, forest trails, and ocean views.

She paints intuitively, working mostly in acrylic, sometimes in watercolour or pastel, and often embellishes her pieces with torn paper, yarn, fabric, and other found or recycled materials. There is no rigid plan—just colour, motion, and response. After years of working to a strict schedule, she embraces the freedom of exploring what unfolds on the canvas.

Enjoy our fun Q&A with Linda and get to know the artist behind the artwork.

Artist Linda Greig

What is your favourite art supply and why?

Speciality papers are my favourite art supply! Whether it is paper from Japan or Indonesia, or papers I’ve created using a gelli plate – these unique papers add texture and unexpected colour play to my acrylic paintings.

What does creativity mean to you?

Creativity means trusting the process and continually responding to my painting until it feels “right”.

What advice would you give an emerging artist?

Take classes. Observe other artists. And paint, paint, paint! There’s no substitution for just doing it! Oh, and expect the messy middle – that’s when you feel like your painting is ugly. Keep on going! Trust the process!

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration in nature. It could be my garden, the forest, a quiet beach, or a lavender field in Provence. I’m also inspired by the colours and textures I happen upon and by the work of other artists.

Describe how art is important to society.

The news can sometimes leave us feeling frustrated or depressed. I find that when I feel upset and spend some time focused on creating, it calms me and gives me a sense of

accomplishment. I can go out into the world and be a better person.

What is a dream you would like to see become a reality?

We teach kids to stand up to bullies. I’d like the world to stand up to Trump.

Who are your biggest artistic influences?

Past: Emily Carr, Tom Thomson, Monet, Cezanne, Van Gogh

Present: Elizabeth St. Hilaire, Gordon Harrison, Amanda Richardson, Patricia Macdonald,

Pascale Rentsch, Nicole Allen, Marabeth Quin, Anne Virlange, Yvonne Nangle– check them out

on Instagram!

Give a fun fact about yourself

I didn’t start painting until I retired. I had no idea I could be an artist. After selling 100+

paintings, I still sometimes feel like a fraud!