Linda Dessaint
Linda Dessaint, PSME, PSNH
Raised in rural New Hampshire, Linda Dessaint discovered early magic in the
rhythms of the natural world — the hush of a pine forest, the glow of dusk over a
field, the quicksilver of light on a stream. That sense of wonder has traveled with
her through the years. Now based in Virginia, she paints en plein air and from
her own photographs, working in soft pastel and oil for more than 25 years. Her
luminous landscapes and intimate studies have earned awards in national and
international exhibitions. Linda received Signature Membership in the Pastel
Society of Maine (2010) and the Pastel Society of New Hampshire (2014), and is
a juried member of the Pastel Society of America (2014), the Oil Painters of
America (2015), and the American Impressionist Society (2017). Her work is
collected across the United States and Europe. Visit www.LindaDessaint.com to
view her portfolio and upcoming exhibitions.
Artist Statement
Capturing emotion through light and shadow, color and form — this is my
pursuit. I aim to distill the energy of a moment into an experience viewers can
enter: the hush after a summer rain, the warm glow of late-afternoon sun, or the
glint of winter light on bare branches. The shifting seasons and the fleeting
gestures of nature continually inspire me. I am grateful for the support of my
family and friends, who taught me to look closely and to find joy in small,
luminous details.
Process
Each painting begins differently — a sketch made outdoors, a photograph that
calls to me, or an idea born of memory — but the intention is constant: to create
movement, mystery, and joy through the interplay of light and shadow, shape,
and color. I paint from emotion, following instinct and heart, while leaving a quiet
opening in the work for the viewer’s imagination.
