Celtic and Faery Artist Bio

After 15 years in the marketing industry as a graphic designer, Linda Laforge is painting and writing full time. She’s finally ready to spread her wings

Linda experienced a transformation, sparked by a few profound events in her life, which culminated in March of 2007. Linda's mother died of a heart attack. "My mom was both a source of inspiration and frustration," Linda laughs. "We were the same, but different. When she died, she left a few unresolved issues and she left me all alone. I did some serious soul searching."

Linda's parents were her heroes. Her eldest brother was born with Cerebral Palsy. When the doctors finally admitted that Christopher was 'handicapped' they advised Leonard and Frances Laforge to place their son in a nursing home and forget about him. "My Mom stayed home with Chris until he was 12. She was a small woman. Without any assisting devices and support systems, it was a big challenge."

Linda's father was in the Canadian Air Force. He was often gone for months at a time. "Mom was left with her severely handicapped child and an incredibly hyper kid, my other brother Dave, completely on her own. Babysitters were scared of Chrissy. Now we're taught about all kinds of physical and mental issues faced by people in our society. Thirty years ago that wasn’t the case." Her brother was placed in a home when he was 12. Linda was 6 years old. “Chris was gone and so was my Mom. She got a job and I went to a babysitters. I hated it!”

Linda's brother Chris was freed from the confines of his body in 1991. He was never to have walked, run or to have sung a song. He was her biggest inspiration and driving force. For everything he couldn't do, she had to try it at least once. And everything she does, she does her absolute best.

Her brother David died of complications due to AIDS in 1993. He too lived a tragic life, never truly realizing his own potential or self worth. Linda witnessed David’s triumphs and failures and she saw him in a light he never would appreciate. Because of this, he taught her that she was worthy of being loved, just as he was.

Her father suffered with Parkinson's Disease. Although she had expected to be rubbing his bald head and teasing him for many years to come, he left this world the end of March 2000. "If we'd waited 15 minutes longer, he could have died on April Fools Day. He would have liked that," Linda smiles. Leonard Laforge was President of the Barrie Parkinson's Foundation, an active member of the Knights of Columbus and he volunteered for People with Special Needs after he was forced to retire due to his Parkinson's. He was and remains an ongoing source if inspiration for Linda.

When her mother left her in 2007, Linda would have been left completely alone had it not been for her husband, Jim. “I felt like I’d lost my entire family a second time after my Mom died. I kept seeing their funerals in my dreams at night. But I also felt like she was brought into a new world of truth and beauty. It was like she finally understood me. When I came to this realization I felt freed. A lot of the weight left me. That’s when I knew I could do it without being a ‘starving artist’. That’s when I knew it was time to spread my wings.”

"I paint for them now," Linda says. "I love them, and I miss them, and I await them in my dreams."

Linda believes there is magic in the world. She sees it everywhere and paints it as she explores the Faery Realm – a peaceful, magical world filled with enlightened beings who have much to offer us. You will feel the desire to crawl her the paintings and into the world she's creating. It won't be long before you see dragons, unicorns and little people interacting with their ever abundant natural world. Join Linda in this place of beauty, calm and peace, where you too can spread your wings with one of her beautiful Faeries.

The Faery Realm and Celtic Art

Linda was practically drawing from birth. When she was in grade 3 she wrote short stories, illustrated them and created little books to give to her mother.

Linda discovered Celtic Art and Knot work when she was in her twenties. "A friend of mine had a book filled with these really cool designs," Linda says. "When he lent it to me I told him he may not get it back. I wasn't lying. I think I still have it!"

The book was illustrated by Courtney Davis. He has been my single biggest influence, next to Archibald Knox. Mr. Knox was likely one of the first true contemporary celtic designers. He lived from 1864-1933 and created fanciful designs that were used in tapestries, jewellery, vases, buckles, cutlery, frames... The list is so long it's almost pointless to continue. He is generally recognized as the creative force behind the vastly successful Celtic Revival style.

In Linda's work you will find lively, vibrant colours and expressive faces belonging to faeries of all parts of the world. Her knotwork designs are hand drawn and usually scanned and completed in Photoshop for a unique, one of a kind design.
    
For More about Celtic Art click here...

Click here to learn more about Linda's Walk-a-thon 

Artist Statement

I am on a mythical and magical journey of enchantment and discovery with my new Faery Guide. I aim to share with you my visions of the world of Faery, as it's been shown to me - of their wisdom, love and of their protection of the natural world. I hope you surrender to their beauty and brilliance as I have.

I'm creating paintings and illustrations featuring faeries, unicorns, dragons and anything else Celtic and medieval. I have been drawn to this style of art not only due to my Irish ancestry, but by it's spiritual base. The celtic lore is rife with lively, colourful characters and their art is filled with spiritual symbolism. All of this intertwined creates a fabulous tapestry with which to create from.

Business Philosophy

The Charmed Studio of Linda Laforge creates Celtic myth based art. We will be selling originals and reproductions in a socially and environmentally responsible way.

All prints will eventully be reproduced on tree-free papers such as chlorine free, 100% cotton acid free paper or hemp or kenaf papers. I want to use resources that renew quickly, rather than trees, which take hundreds of years to replace. We will aim to use environmentally safe, quality inks. We’re going to try to steer clear of plastics whereever possible.  

Articles about Linda's Work