When did you know you wanted to be an artist?

Always and never. I think that subconsciously I always wanted to be an artist but I never thought it was an option. I do remember I joined art club in grade 5 and I wanted to be as good at art as my classmate David Gunn. After skirting around the visual arts for years, working as an interior designer, an embroidery designer and a banner maker, I became an artist almost by accident. I had a small business sewing banners and I was making art for fun. I started selling art and receiving commissions until eventually my art business took over from my banner business.

Who are the artists that have had the greatest influence on you and why?

I have learned lessons from several artists – some lessons for style and some for technique or ideas. British textile artists have been a major influence since they made me realize I could work in textiles; Alice Kettle – texture, texture, lots of texture; Jan Beaney – layering, materials and stitches. Saskatchewan artist, Martha Cole – colour; Edmonton printmaker Thelma Manarey – simplicity. I’ve undoubtedly also been influenced by the iconic Canadian landscape artists, the Group of Seven and Tom Thompson and by the Impressionists.

Art by Linda McBain Cuyler

What is the inspiration behind your artwork?

I’m inspired by the colours, textures and shapes in nature. I like to explore the interconnectedness of people and nature – the patterns people make on the earth like fields and roads. And the organization made by people in smaller spaces like planting flowers in gardens. This also expands to the interconnectedness between all places on the earth, both the land and the sky.

Art by Linda McBain Cuyler

What is distinctive about your art that sets it apart from others?

The main distinction of my work is that I combine painting and embroidery in a unique form of mixed media. The texture of the thread in my work contrasts with the paint and makes it very appealing. My art doesn’t seem complete until it has stitching.

What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

My advice to aspiring artists is to make sure you learn the basic principles of design and art history, either from books or classes. If you learn about the basics and what’s come before, you have a good foundation. Then work hard at making lots of art and finding your style. Not everything about being an artist will be fun because there’s more to being an artist than making the art. Also, very important is to be reliable.

Art by Linda McBain Cuyler

Describe the environment or your studio in which you create.

I don’t have a studio space. I create right in the middle of family chaos. I work in the kitchen, painting at one end of the table and sewing at the opposite end. I clear away my drop cloth and paintings for meals but the sewing machine is almost a permanent resident at the table. My two human children say that the sewing machine is the third child. Other activities such as framing, packaging and shipping take place all over the house. I also have a storeroom in the basement for supplies, fabrics and my display system.

Art by Linda McBain Cuyler

Do you have any artmaking rituals?

Every day or two I make lists of all the art-making jobs I want to accomplish. I break the tasks into small steps so I can mark more items off my list. I feel really good whenever I mark something off my list – positive reinforcement! I also drink lots of tea. When I need a little break from the task at hand, I get up and warm my tea in the microwave. If I need a longer break, I put in a load of laundry.

What destination around the world most inspires your work?

I am most inspired by the landscapes of Canada, particularly Alberta landscapes since they surround me. We are lucky to live in a beautiful province with terrain encompassing everything from mountains to prairie. And our skies are fabulous and ever-changing.

Art by Linda McBain Cuyler

Did you go to art school or are you self-taught?

I received a Bachelor of Interior Design from the University of Manitoba. The course included classes in basic design principles, history of art and architecture, sketching, perspective drawing and colour theory. I learned painting on fabric and free-motion machine embroidery (embroidery on the machine but hand guided) with help from books, workshops and lots of practice.

What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned along the way?

Here is a story to illustrate a lesson I learned early in my art career, before I even knew I was going to have an art career. I was exhibiting a piece of art that was a still life with a teapot, a lace tablecloth and a vase of flowers. I loved the teapot, the tablecloth and even the vase but I wasn’t very excited about the flowers, in fact, I thought they were crappy. To my delight the piece sold. I’ll never forget what the lady who bought it told me …that her favorite part was the flowers. The lesson I learned was that not everyone likes the same things so don’t be so self-critical.

Art by Linda McBain Cuyler

If you could have any superpower, which would you choose?

I would choose to be able to make multiple versions of myself for periods of time and then return to being one person. Instantaneous yet temporary cloning. This superpower would allow me to make all the art that I can imagine but still cook, clean, garden, etc.

Where can people find you online or in person (gallery, upcoming show, etc.)?

I can be found online at my

Website: www.lindamcbaincuyler.com

Facebook: Linda McBain Cuyler-Fibre Artist

Instagram: @lindamcbaincuyler .

My work can be found in person at the Alberta Craft Council Shops (Edmonton & Calgary), Tix on the Square (Edmonton), Galleria Inglewood (Calgary), North End Gallery (Whitehorse), Galt Museum Shop (Lethbridge).