Artist Statement
My work begins with a loose design concept. I desire the work to unfold, not to be overly controlled. I willingly work in partnership with the dye itself, as it too has a mind of its own. An aquatic medium, dye contributes a natural intermingling rhythm without the tendency to muddy itself while mixing with other colors. I seek a certain harmony in hues, but dye provides its layering chroma outcome with spontaneity. As we work with each other, I visually feel the path forward before me. Patterns are created through found objects used in a modified silkscreen process. Further enhancements may be added, but not as a requirement. It’s all a bit like a dance. I may be leading, but not without an enthusiastic partner who asks me to be willing to follow. While I’m creating in this way, I feel exhiarated and happy. Once the silk is completed and processed for permanence I hem each one with mitered corners for a professional finish on a beautiful scarf or shawl.
Bio
Born in Denver, Colorado, educated in IT management, Linda Neel grew up with two absolute loves—textiles and horses. Early on, her passion for textiles was a passionate hobby and horses a way of life. In the mid 90’s she gave up horses. Her then unquenchable thirst for textiles became an unstoppable creative journey of workshops and experimentation. But finding her love of dye and silk as a true medium, was the game changer. Her colorful contemporary silk scarves, art-to-wear items and wall art became a hit with clients, while also exhibiting and acquiring awards at textile shows around the country. She lives in North Carolina with her husband who is an artist as well.
Awards
2020 Mooresville Arts 7th Annual Winter Juried Exhibit, Juror's Choice Award
2014 Abstracts Art Exhibit, Special Merit Award
2013 Piedmont Regional Art Show and Sale awarded Second Place in Contemporary Category
2012 Piedmont Regional Art Show and Sale awarded Honorable Mention in Contemporary Category
2010 Fiber Celebration 2010 awarded third place in Wearable Category
2005 Golden Threads awarded second place
Juried Exhibitions
2021: Chattahoochee Handweavers Guild Juried Exhibit, Duluth, GA
2020: Mooresville Arts 7th Annual Winter Juried Exhibit, Mooresville, NC
Intertwined 2020, Southeast Fiber Art Alliance, Gainesviile, GA
1st Annual Fiber Exhibition, Kansas City Stockyards Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2019: Uncommon Threads, Fine Line Creative Arts Center, St. Charles, Il
Magic of Wearables Fiber Arts Fashion Show & Market, The Museum at 5ive Points, Cleveland, TN
2018: August Featured Artist, The Cooley Gallery, Leesburg, VA
2016: Fiber National 2016, Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton, VA
2015: FALC 20th Annual Juried Exhibition, Cary, NC
2014: Dimension XLII, Art Center of Corpus Christ, Corpus Christi, TX
Abstracts Art Exhibit, Light, Space, & Time, Jupiter, FL, Award
Relationship, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Two-person show, Manassas, VA
Cabin Fever, Bryne Gallery, Middleburg, VA
MITRE Corporation Exhibit, McLean, VA
2013: AWSome Art Finalist, Amazon Web Services, Herndon, VA
Art in The Burg, Middleburg, VA
Piedmont Regional Art Show and Sale, The Plains, VA, Award
2012: Piedmont Regional Art Show and Sale, The Plains, VA, Award
2010: Fiber Celebration, Northern Colorado Weavers Guild, Ft Collins, CO, Award
2008: ArtWear Fashion Week, Lincoln Center, Ft. Collins, CO
Aldie Mill Art Show and Sale, Aldie, VA
2007: Fiber Fantasia, Chattahoochee Handweavers Guild, Atlanta, GA
Fiber Celebrated 2007, Intermountain Weavers Conference, Durango Arts Center, CO
2006: Fiber Celebration 2006, Northern Colorado Weavers Guild, Ft Collins, CO
ArtWear Fashion Week, Lincoln Center, Ft Collins, CO
2005: Golden Threads, Chattahoochee Handweavers Guild, Atlanta, GA, Award
Fiber Celebrated, Intermountain Weavers Conference, Durango Arts Center, CO
Bibliography
Published interview in Leesburg Today, October 2018
Published interview in Artists in Middleburg Newsletter, March 2013
Published in the catalog for Fiber Celebrated 2005