The Art Box - Episode 46 - Introducing January 2023 Artist of the Month Linda Birks

Linda was born and raised in Midland, Michigan, and moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, where she met her husband, Rod. Upon retirement, Linda and Rod sought a warmer winter climate and the beauty of the desert. Their search brought them to Beaver Dam, Arizona. They lived as snowbirds dividing their time between Colorado and Arizona until moving permanently in 2019.

Art was never on Linda’s radar, but one day in 2000, walking down Main Street in Grand Junction, she wandered into a gallery that gave stained glass classes. She loved and admired stained glass, never thinking it was something she could do. She took one class in the copper foil method and was hooked. Still working, Linda didn’t have the time for more lessons but spent weekends at home practicing and learning, adding fused glass to her skills, and purchasing a kiln. She loves the many colors, glass textures, and their relationship with light and finds it both fun and rewarding to work on and complete her glass projects.

Having the time since retiring, Linda has been able to take a few glass classes in person and online and has added wire working and jewelry to her skill set, which, again, is entirely self-taught. At home, it’s always about trying new techniques and learning by trial and error.

Linda’s art may be found in several private collections locally and throughout the US. She feels lucky to have found the Virgin Valley Artists’ Association with like-minded artists, classes, and the Mesquite Fine Arts Center.

Linda says, “If it puts a smile on your face I did it right.”