Living on a bridgeless, barrier island affords Linda Soderquist opportunities to observe wildlife and be inspired by pristine beaches. Sea turtles and shorebirds are frequently found in her watercolors, while nature’s wonders underwater also provide fascinating subjects. As she experiments with colorful washes, scenes of the island emerge in her work. Coaxing out the bright light through negative painting helps to portray the beauty of her natural surroundings.
Linda received her B.A. in Fine Art and Education from Illinois Wesleyan University and an M. Ed. from the University of South Florida. After teaching elementary students for many years, Linda retired and began to focus on her painting career. She has illustrated three books on Florida’s turtles and regularly exhibits paintings in shows and galleries.
Linda spent her childhood summers in northern Minnesota, where she first nurtured a deep appreciation for nature. She has lived on Florida’s Little Gasparilla Island for twenty years, observing nature, beachcombing, painting, and taking care of the island’s sea turtles…a never ending inspiration.
