BRAINERD — Artist Patricia Lintner does not settle when it comes to creating art. No art medium is off limits to her. If it can inspire, she will use it. She's already worked with oil, cold wax, acrylic, mixed media, and rust and fiber.
Lintner was inspired to get into art at a young age. “My grandfather was also an artist, and he did a lot of ink and pen work and I used to watch him a lot... and I just loved it.” She has been creating art ever since.
Originally, she painted with oil. As she grew as an artist but she wanted to try new things. Lintner began working with various fibers, metals, beads, and acrylic paint. “I’m just inspired by so many types of art forms.”
Eventually she fell in love with cold wax painting as an artform. Cold wax is a combination of beeswax, damar resin, and a little bit of solvent. Oil paint or pigment powder is added and it creates a thick consistency.
It’s not something applied onto a canvas with a paint brush. Instead Lintner likes to use squeegees and sprayers. She loves creating different textures and infusing other things to make a collage. Dried flowers, colorful spices, or even dirt has been part of the process. “The sky is the limit, really, with what you can add to the cold wax.”
From California to Minnesota
Lintner spent the first 27 years of her life in California, 20 miles south of Los Angeles. A lot of her work at the time was urban inspired. She loved the buildings and was moved by their textures.
In 1989, she moved to Minnesota and one of the biggest differences she noticed was the number of animals she would see. “I saw my first deer and I couldn't believe it.” Soon more of her artwork became influenced by animals, thanks to her Minnesota surroundings.
Becoming a teacher
Lintner also holds workshops, which was something that came naturally to her. She was always helping others with their art and was asked to do a class. She soon fell in love with teaching.
Her workshops introduce students to different types of mediums and how to use them. Her biggest goal is to help students find inspiration. “Maybe bring something out of themselves that they didn't know they even had,” said Lintner. “And that is such a thrill for me. As much as I love doing art, I love to teach, and I love helping others.”
Creativity flowing
Lintner likes to let the creative process take over when she is making art. She doesn’t like to predetermine anything unless she is working on a commission. “I come out with something that was never planned and that is the cornerstone of a lot of my type of work that I do.”
The paintings speak to Lintner. “Looking at what it needs. What am I feeling? What colors?” She likes a lot of her paintings more because of this creative process.
Painting without a plan was something she discovered later in her art journey. Early on she was making portraits, floral scenes, animals, and landscapes. When she tried abstract art, it was hard. “I knew I wanted to do something different, and I needed to challenge myself, and it was very difficult in the beginning because of that.” Now she really appreciates the process.
Lintner also realizes her artwork may not please everybody, but she’s okay with that. She knows art can be personal and hopes other artists realize approval is not the goal. It is important to create from the heart.
Find more information on Lintner’s art at her website.
Tell us about upcoming arts events where you live in Northern Minnesota by emailing psa@kaxe.org.
Area Voices is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.