44°
SOMERS, N.Y. - Linda Cerrone, whose one-woman show, Botanical Inspiration, will be at the Somers Library for the month of November, has been drawing all her life.
It runs in the family, on both sides, she explains. My mother, my grandmother, my great-grandmother. Weve had five generations of artists in this country. My mother and brother are graphic designers. Im the first botanical artist.
Cerrone studied at the Philadelphia University of the Arts and added to her skills at SUNY Purchase. After an 18-year career painting murals and furniture, she started taking classes with Laura Gould at the Lasdon Arboretum. She still does decorative art on commission, specializing in faux finishes, stenciling and tromp loeil, but botanical art is now her major concentration.
It was the crisp detail required in the tromp loeil work that gave her the foundation for botanicals. Its got to be so precise and realistic. It can take as long as 40 or 60 hours to finish a piece. Its very slow, but the learning process is so rewarding.
She usually works from live subjects: plants, flowers, vegetables, trees, mushrooms and so on. Whatever is seasonal or available.
Since it takes six to eight weeks to finish one drawing or painting, she has to lay in a good supply of whatever her subject happens to be. She refers to it as seasonal work with ample sample. The ample sample is not for munching along the way, but rather to replace pieces that may deteriorate while posing.
Cerrone works in all of the classic botanical media: colored pencil, pen and ink, graphite and watercolor. Because it is so intense and time-consuming, she usually works on several pieces at once, moving back and forth between them.
Cerrone has exhibited her work at Lasdon Park and at the Hammond Museum in North Salem.
Botanical Inspiration at the Somers Library will display 24 works in the full range of media. Prices range from $100 to $1,000. The opening reception is on Saturday, November 5 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
In addition to doing her personal artwork, Cerrone offers art classes at her home to children ages nine and up, and to adults. Private lessons and semi-private workshops are also available. Email Andnlin@aol.com or call 914-277-1700.
Click here to follow Daily Voice North Salem and receive free news updates.
