Hello and welcome. I am an artist living and working in Asheville, NC. I have loved these mountains daily and never tire of their beauty. My first career was as a Forest Ranger/Firefighter/Wilderness and Park Ranger. After years in the field of natural resources and recreation, I decided I wanted to become a mother. To support myself and my child, I opened and operated my own in-home day care. Following years of self employment, I decided to earn credentials and work locally in Newborn Nursing, but had no idea I would stay several decades in my role on the Mother Baby Unit. Today, when I recall the care shared with over 10,000 families, I feel satisfied. I learned the art of offering deep support and encouragement. What a gift to have touched so many lives. In the medical world, I rose slowly through the ranks, while at home my youngest daughter health concerns consumed my time with heart surgery after heart surgery. I exited hospital employment when I could no longer tolerate the ethics choices I witnessed at Mission Hospital, I spoke truth to power, got myself fired, it was time to move on, sometimes change just has to happen.
Enter the third phase of life, working toward becoming a working artist. I earned an Associate of Fine Arts in Visual Arts Degree, 40 years from when I sauntered across the stage at NC State University for my Bachelor of Forestry Degree. Now a prolific plein air painter, I have found what I would consider my true life's calling.
You can imagine the joy in this Ranger's heart … to be outdoor and painting.
Remembering the strong body of my youth, I'm working to keep it fully functional, I took a job as a wellness coach at the Woodfin YMCA, best views in Asheville, and spend my time there charging community, lifting weights, giving my heart a good burst of O2 and walking alongside people as they work toward their own goals and aspirations. It's kinda fun. Recently we blended a community art show with a fund raiser for the Y, talk about a Win/win.
I love my time immersed in nature, walking and meditating, swimming in cold streams. When evening arrives, I usually make time to read books. I successfully escaped the internet social media addiction, just as Hurricane Helene was dying down, so I apologize but my instagram is no longer available. You can find my work at various arts events throughout the community and my home brimming with original art work, Next few shows:
April 26, Azalea Plein Air Festival, NC Arboretum
June 20-21st, Art In Bloom, NC Black Mountain Arts Center - fund raiser
August 20-21st, BRAHM's 8th Annual Plein Air Festival, Blowing Rock, NC
Open to commissions and conversation, or a quiet sit together.
Call 828-775-9995 or email me: lindawelsh01@gmail.com
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/linda-welsh
Thank you,
Linda Welsh