Linda Dubin Garfield

“I am a life-long learner in exploring new media and techniques to incorporate into my art practice. Making art is my pleasure and I am fortunate to do it every day!”

Linda Dubin Garfield pursued art as a hobby until she retired in 2002 from the Philadelphia school system where she taught English and served as a school counselor. At that point, she became the professional artist she always wanted to be, an award-winning printmaker and mixed media artist. In her work, she explores memory and the magic of places where she has traveled, using hand-pulled printmaking techniques, photography, collage, and digital imaging that combine surface design and abstract expressionism. While honing her techniques and expanding her aesthetic vocabulary, Linda also set herself to learn the business side of art, and then led the way for others. She launched smARTbusinessconsulting.org to teach other artists how to reach goals and audiences. She started ARTsisters.org to empower feminist members and the community, sharing the profits from sales with a worthy non-profit. Linda has taught many art workshops, especially for the residents of senior care residences. She has spearheaded many fundraisers, served as the chairperson for the DVAA board of trustees, and started a book group at DVAA focusing on books about and by artists. She strives to be the kind of leader who takes the blame for errors and gives credit for successes to others. Linda is so widely admired for her leadership that few readers, travelers, artists, or art lovers can refuse her invitations to collaborate creatively.

Where do art and your discipline meet?

“I am basically a disciplined person who aims to reach goals I set for myself. I want to have the necessary skills and determination to reach those goals. I did art as a hobby until I retired from the Phila School System in 2002 and then became the professional artist I always wanted to be. After retirement, I learned about the business side of art and started smARTbusinessconsulting.org which helps artists reach their goals and their audience. I also started ARTsisters.org which empowers members and the community through art. We always give a non-profit a percentage of all sales from exhibits we have. I am a life-time learner and explore new media and techniques to incorporate into my art practice. Making art is my pleasure and I am fortunate to do it every day!”

What does leadership mean to you?

“Great leaders help people reach their goals, are not afraid to hire people that might be better than them and take pride in the accomplishments of those they help along the way. They create a collaborative atmosphere and let those they work with use their skills and creativity. I read a great quote which was that great leaders take the blame for errors and give credit for successes to others. I try to be that kind of leader.”

Biography:

Linda Dubin Garfield, an award-winning printmaker and mixed media artist, creates visual memoirs exploring the mystery of memory and the magic of place, using hand-pulled printmaking techniques, photography, collage and digital imaging. Her abstract and dynamic works use multiple layers of ink that waver between background and foreground creating a fusion of surface design and abstract expressionism She also creates installations that include public participatory art, especially when she is exploring themes relating to women in today’s culture. In 2005 she founded ARTsisters, a group of professional artists who empower each other and their community through art. In 2007 she started smART business consulting, helping emerging artists reach their goals and their audience, providing consulting and coaching on the business side of art through individual, small groups, and workshop experiences as well as providing opportunities to exhibit work. She also provides art-making workshops to several organizations like Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Centers for Older Adults, Simpson House and Atria Senior Living. Today she serves on several non-profit boards, and appreciates her good fortune to be able to make art every chance she gets.