Linda Welch
Portland, Oregon

Artist Statement

Linda Welch investigates art in a broad range of media: concrete, textile, painting, art books, mixed media collage, and collaboration. Collage is the thread running between the various mediums.

Inspiration comes from many sources: history, rituals, words, beauty, imperfections and the nuances of nature. Welch employs an intuitive and process oriented approach to her artwork. Gathering raw material is as significant as the manipulation in determining a final composition. Listening to the interaction between colors, line and surface treatment dictate the direction a piece or a series will go. Her work is driven by a strong sense of composition.

Artist Books

The artist books emanate from a true love of books. The tangible and visual experience of opening a book is a constant source of desire. Each book is created as a unique. A series may unfold, but within are individual pieces. Primarily focused on visual texture, color and composition, threads of storyline appear in unexpected ways. The books are quite tactile and are meant to be experienced.

Collaborations

The collaborative pieces incorporate works by French born artist Robert Jean Ray. Ray’s diminutive artworks reflect the ideas of the post-modernist approach to collage and drawing. Collaborations began shortly after the two artists met in 1996. Ray releases finished and unfinished works to Welch with little, if any, further involvement. Finished works are commonly left untouched and stitched onto pages for books. Unfinished pieces are manipulated and integrated into collage works, either in books or works on panel. Rarely, is the reverse collaboration seen.

Artist Biography

Linda Welch was born and raised in Ames, Iowa. California was called home for three decades. This past year she moved to Portland, Oregon. Welch received a B.F.A. in Ceramics from Long Beach State and an M.F.A. in Textile Design from UC Davis.

Artist Books • Linda Welch

A lot of these books have sold, but stop by the gallery
to see newer works by Linda. We are thrilled that
she is adding new work to our inventory on a regular basis!

 

Concealed Within Series
Collage, wax, boxes with books
Various sizes approx. 2.25” x .75” x 1.25”
$40 to $50 each

To Purchase Contact 23 Sandy Gallery

Ennead in Red
Cardboard, 9 pages, spiral binding
Collaboration with drawings by Robert Jean Ray
2.75” x 2.75”
$300

To Purchase Contact 23 Sandy Gallery

The Plane Table
Collage, with drawing by Robert Jean Ray
5” x 5” closed
SOLD!

To Purchase Contact 23 Sandy Gallery

Black Sleeve
Collage box and book, 8 pages, spiral binding
Collaboration with drawings by Robert Jean Ray
1” X 4” X 4.25”
$500

To Purchase Contact 23 Sandy Gallery

Arbitrary Constant
Book with case, 2.25" x 1.25" x 2.75"
18 pages, mixed media collage
SOLD!

To Purchase Contact 23 Sandy Gallery

Beauty's Shadow
4.25" x 3" x .5"
16 pages, mixed media collage, sheet lead cover 
MISSING! Sad to report that this book was stolen!
A pox on the person who would dare steal from an artist.
SOLD!

Urban Missive
4" x 5.5"
16 pages, collage, spiral bound
SOLD!

To Purchase Contact 23 Sandy Gallery
Would Be Darkness
3 books in wood case
3.75" x 5" x 1.75"
mixed media collage
SOLD!

To Purchase Contact 23 Sandy Gallery
Concealed Within #36e
Collage, wax, box with book
2.25” x .75” x 1.25”
SOLD!

To Purchase Contact 23 Sandy Gallery
Seeing This
2" x 2.5" x 1.25"
28 pages, mixed media collage 
SOLD!

To Purchase Contact 23 Sandy Gallery
Book of Fragmentation
2.5" x 2" x 2"
36 pages, mixed media collage
SOLD!

To Purchase Contact 23 Sandy Gallery
23 Sandy Gallery • 623 NE 23rd Ave • Portland, Oregon 97232 • 503-927-4409
Hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 12-6, and By Appointment