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“In June I spoke to 5th and 6th graders at one of our local elementary schools on what it means to be an artist and the
important roll education plays in what I do. The invitation came from all of the newspaper coverage I received for creating
the Commemorative Egg for the First Lady, and the school felt this was a perfect opportunity to introduce their children to
art and literacy.

“My web page, showing the egg’s development, was projected on large screens so every child could easily see how I went about
designing and painting this very special egg. The children were full of questions, and I was very impressed, not only by what was
asked, but by their attentiveness to what I had to say as to how I go about acquiring various reference material for my paintings.

"I had hoped that I inspired at least a couple of students to work hard and apply their education to their dreams. Never did I expect
these children to take the time to write down how much it meant to them that I made room in my busy schedule to visit their
classrooms to talk about what I do. The outpouring of creative handmade cards filled with expressions of appreciation for sharing
my knowledge, talent and time, was incredibly moving. So what does it mean to be an artist? It means touching someone’s heart
with something that you’ve done. This time it was my turn to be touched.” LR

It goes without saying that it is truly an honor to be recognized twice at a singular event. Many shows only allow one award per artist, so it always comes as a big surprise when Linda hears that two of her paintings were selected for awards. BEST OF SHOW went to Hero Worship, little green frog, and You Didn’t Hear It From Me, prairie dogs received an HONORABLE MENTION.

^ You Didn’t Hear It From Me    Honorable Mention < Hero Worship    Best of Show

Earlier this year The American Egg Board honored Linda with an invitation to create the First Lady Commemorative Easter Egg. Although the Annual Egg Roll has been around for 136 years, the time-honored tradition of a First Lady Egg has only been in existence for the past 37 years. For obvious reasons Linda’s creation had to be done using an actual chicken egg, but the design was totally up to her. Knowing this was to be the first “painted” egg Mrs. Obama was to receive, she wanted to do something that tied into the day’s festivities of the Egg Roll held on the White House’s South Lawn. Although there appears to be four different scenes, they flow into one another and become one as the shell is turned. The elegant base on which the egg rests was also designed and constructed by Linda.

This very special egg was presented to First Lady Michelle Obama at the Annual Easter Egg Roll by Joanne Ivy, President and CEO of the American Egg Board on April 21, 2014. President Obama also attended the presentation.

The Elizabeth Specht Memorial Miniatures in Mariposa show was hosted by the Sierra Artist’s Gallery where hundreds of little works were on display and for sale. This show is one of the gallery’s highlights of the year and a favorite of visitors and residents alike. Linda was overjoyed when she learned that two of her miniatures had received awards at this annual event. FIRST PLACE FOR ANIMALS went to Temporary Quarters, horse and SECOND PLACE FOR ANIMALS went to You Didn’t Hear It From Me, prairie dogs.

^ You Didn’t Hear It From Me    2nd for Animals < Temporary Quarters    1st for Animals

When an artist has all five of their submissions accepted into MASF's annual exhibition, and one
receives First Place in a category, all paintings then become eligible to compete for the Excellence
in All Entries award.

Linda is very proud to announce she received First Place for Birds & Animals for Abbee (white cat),
and was then honored with Excellence in All Entries for her collection of works.