Allan Linder (1966, California, United States) makes paintings, drawings, digital work, mixed media artworks, sculpture and much more. With a conceptual approach, Linder absorbs the tradition of making art into a daily practice. This personal follow-up and revival of a past tradition is important as an act of meditation.
His collected, altered and own paintings are being confronted as aesthetically resilient, thematically interrelated material for memory and projection. The possible seems true and the truth exists, but it has many faces, as Hanna Arendt cites from Franz Kafka. By contesting the division between the realm of memory and the realm of experience, he tries to approach a wide scale of subjects in a multi-layered way, likes to involve the viewer in a way that is sometimes physical and believes in the idea of function following form in a work.
His works directly respond to the surrounding environment and uses everyday experiences from the artist as a starting point. Often these are framed instances that would go unnoticed in their original context. By applying abstraction, he creates intense personal moments masterfully created by means of rules and omissions, acceptance and refusal, luring the viewer round and round in circles.
His works don't always reference recognizable form. The results are deconstructed to the extent that meaning is shifted and possible interpretation becomes multifaceted. Allan Linder currently lives and works in New York City.
My work is an exposition of a shared culture that explores a path through real and digital by creating a language between texture and color. I think most of my work directly responds to the surrounding environment, and I use everyday experiences as a starting point. Often these are framed instances that would go unnoticed in their original context.
Allan Linder 20th Century and Beyond Coffee Table Art Book Available on Amazon
What makes an artist great? Struggle, determination, failure, or is it just raw talent. This question has been asked for centuries, and every art critic has a different answer. Follow the journey of notable American artist Allan Linder through three decades of artwork, as he honed his skill while overcoming life's obstacles.
Linder is a fourth-generation artist that works with paint on canvas, sculpture in many mediums, and drawing on paper and digital artwork. His work is exhibited and collected worldwide.
Linder's work ranges from abstract concepts in digital artwork to his most recent paintings depicting realistic New York City scenes through various seasons.
The subject matter ranges from moments of peaceful silence in a burgeoning and populated locale, too busy street scenes in the heart of Time Square. With more than 150 full-color photographs of his most important work, this book complements any art history collection and is the topic of many conversations.
2022 - Group Exhibit, "FORM" CICA Museum, Seoul, South Korea
2022 - Group Exhibit, "SwissArtExpo" Zürich main railway station, Zürich, Switzerland
2022 - Group Exhibit, Best in Show, Bendheim Gallery, Greenwich, CT
2022 - Solo Exhibit, STOP WAR, The Artists Gallery Chelsea, New York, NY
2022 - Group NFT Art Exhibit, NFT NYC 2022, Fourth Year, New York, NY
2022 - Group Exhibit, 6 x 6, Rochester Contemporary Art Center, Rochester, NY
2022 - Group Exhibit, Deja 42 Gallery Benefit, Newbold Exchange, Philadelphia, PA
2022 - Group Exhibit, Art To The Avenue, Bendheim Gallery, Greenwich, CT
2022 - Group Exhibit, "Winter" Exhibizone Gallery, Ontario, Canada
2022 - Group Exhibit, Cityscapes, Contemporary Art Gallery, Middleton, DE
2021 - Group Exhibit, Magickal Beasts, Deja 42 Art Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2021 - Group Exhibit, 6 x 6 Exhibit, Rochester Contemporary Art Center, Rochester, NY
2021 - Group Exhibit, "Cityscapes" Contemporary Art Gallery, Middleton, DE
2020 - Group Exhibit, "Transitions" Saatchi Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2019 - Group Exhibit, Architectural Digest Design Show, New York, NY
2019 - Group Exhibit, Anonymous Drawings Kunsthaus Kannen Museum, Münster, Germany
2018 - Group Exhibit, Architectural Digest Design Show, New York, NY
2018 - Group Exhibit, Pop-Up Gallery, Belcampo, New York, NY
2017 - Group Exhibit, Architectural Digest Design Show, New York, NY
2017 - Solo Exhibit, Pop-Up Gallery, Covina, New York, NY
2016 - Group Exhibit, Architectural Digest Design Show, New York, NY
2015 - Group Exhibit, Anonymous Drawings ArtQ13, Rome, Italy
2014 - Group Exhibit, 17th Annual Gallery Gala, Arnot Art Museum, Elmira, NY
2014 - Solo Exhibit, Architectural Digest Design Show, New York, NY
2014 - Group Exhibit, Black and White, Chelsea Loft Gallery, NY, NY
2013 - Hope Gala, Charity Auction, the Edison Ballroom, NY, NY
2013 - Group Exhibit, David Kesting Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2013 - Group Exhibit, Corcoran Gallery, Washington, DC
2012 - Charity Auction, The Santi School in Nepal, St. Johns UMC, Baltimore, MD
2012 - Group Exhibit, Anonyme Zeichner CFP, Exhibit, Bar Barbette, Berlin, Germany
2012 - Solo Exhibit, The Loft Gallery, New York, NY
2012 - Solo Exhibit, Architectural Digest Home Design Show, New York, NY
2011 - Group Exhibit, Anonymous Drawings Archive Zurich, Switzerland
2011 - Benefit Aces and Angels Salute to the Troops, Belasco Theatre, Los Angeles, CA.
2011 - Benefit for CARE, Move 2011, Avenue Lounge, New York, NY
2011 - Solo Exhibit, Architectural Digest Home Design Show, New York, NY
2011 - Group Exhibition, "Black History" ASA Art Gallery, New York, NY
2010 - Charity Auction, "You Are Here" Gulf oil disaster benefit, The Icehouse, New Orleans, LA
2010 - Group Exhibition, “Contemporary Impressionism” Alternative Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2010 - Group Exhibition, “Anything Goes” The Courtyard Gallery, Asheville, NC
2009 - Solo Exhibition, “Seems Like Old Times” Cantina, Brooklyn, NY
2008 - Charity Auction, The Santi School in Nepal, L.O.F. Gallery, Baltimore, MD
2008 - Group Exhibit, Anonyme Zeichner N°9 Kunstraum, Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany
2008 - Solo Exhibit, “The Joy of Spring” Architectural Gallery, New York, NY
2008 - Solo Exhibit, "Pieces of Truth" Loft 158, New York, NY
2008 - Solo Exhibit, "Winter Kills" Loft 158, New York, NY
2007 - Group Exhibit, “La Moustache” Boa Taverne Moderne, Montreal Canada
2007 - Group Exhibit Benefit, "Wishing You Were Here" Arts Council, New Haven, CT
2007 - Two-person Exhibit, “Summer in the City” Hoorn-Ashby Gallery, NY, NY
2007 - Solo Exhibit, Architectural Digest Home Design Show, New York, NY
2007 - Solo Exhibit, "Windows and Doors" The Showroom, New York, NY
2006 - Group Exhibit, JHL Presents “Time is Money” Greenwich Village, NY
2005 - Benefit for victims of Hurricane Katrina, Beverly Hills Friars Club, B.H., CA
2005 - Group Exhibit, “East Coast Artist Benefit” The Performing Garage, Soho, NY
2004 - Three person Exhibit, “Shut up and Paint” The Aurora Gallery; Chelsea, NY
2004 - Group Exhibit, “History In The Making” The Aurora Gallery; Chelsea, NY
2004 - Group Exhibit, “Crossing the Bridge” Axelle Fine Arts Galerie; Brooklyn, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “Aids Benefit” The Artists’ Gallery, Soho, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “9/11 Memorial Exhibit” The Artists’ Gallery, Chelsea, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “Surrealism Unbound” The Artists’ Gallery, Chelsea, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “Pop Music and Art” The Artists’ Gallery, Chelsea, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “Spring Retrospective” Ward-Nasse Gallery, Soho, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “Neutral Current” The Artists’ Gallery, Chelsea, NY
2003 - Solo Exhibit, “Transitions” The Studio Museum Bldg., Harlem, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “The Art Party” Show Night Club, New York, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “A New Beginning” The Artists’ Gallery, Chelsea, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “Plugged In” 35 Main Street Gallery, Sussex, NJ
2003 - Solo Exhibit, “Higher Elevation” Hiroko’s Place, Soho, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “Art as Therapy” The Artists’ Gallery, Chelsea, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “Future History” The Artists’ Gallery, Chelsea, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “The Mind of an Artist” The Artists’ Gallery, Chelsea, NY
2003 - Solo Exhibit, “I want you to be where you want to be” Java & Jazz, NY, NY
2002 - Group Exhibit, “Transitions” The Artists’ Gallery, Chelsea, NY
2002 - Group Exhibit, “Lost in the city” Ward-Nasse Gallery, Soho, NY
2002 - Group Exhibit, “Lost in the city” The Armory Show, New York, NY
2002 - Group Exhibit, “Key hole of time” Galerie X, Hamburg, Germany
2002 - Solo Exhibit, “Moods” Rain Lounge, Williamsburg-Brooklyn, NY
2002 - Group Exhibit, “Seasons” Gallery Mali Villas-Boas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
2002 - Group Exhibit, “Unity Canvas” Williamsburg Art & Hist. Ctr., Brooklyn, NY
2002 - Group Exhibit, “9/11 Artists Response” Fulton Street Gallery, Troy, NY
2002 - Group Exhibit, “Blue Print of life” Ward-Nasse Gallery, Soho, NY
2001 - Group Exhibit, “ICONS” Ward-Nasse Gallery, Soho, NY
2001 - Group Exhibit, “Primitive” Ward-Nasse Gallery, Soho, NY
2001 - Group Exhibit, “Ethereality” Ward-Nasse Gallery, Soho, NY
1999 - Solo Exhibit, “Retrospective” Hollywood Warehouse Gallery, Hollywood, CA
1997 - Solo Exhibit, “Secrets” Creative Intelligence Agency Gallery, Burbank, CA
1995 - Solo Exhibit, “Thoughts and Dreams” Private Noho Gallery, Hollywood, CA
1994 - Group Exhibit, “Installations” L1 Gallery, Art Basel, Basel, Switzerland
1993 - Group Exhibit, “Black and White” Installations One Gallery, Encino, CA
1992 - Solo Exhibit, “Inner Space/Outer Space” The Balboa Bldg., Northridge, CA
1990 - Group Exhibit, “Democracy" South Bay Contemporary Museum of Art, CA
1990 - Group Exhibit, “Words and Images” Installations One Gallery, Encino, CA
1989 - Solo Exhibit, “Los Angeles International Exposition” Los Angeles, CA
1988 - Group Exhibit, “Portraits” Installations One Gallery, Encino, CA
1986 - Group Exhibit, “The Pencil and its Potential” Install One Gallery, Encino, CA
1984 - Solo Exhibit, “Fantasy” The New Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2022 - Nominated, Musicbed Challenge, Narrative Short Film, Quantum Enigma, Fortworth, TX
2022 - Third Place Award, Getting There, Contemporary Art Gallery, Middleton, DE
2017 - Finalist, Quantum Enigma, Epic Film Festival, Miami, FL
2017 - Official Selection, Quantum Enigma, Asia Web Awards, Seoul, South Korea
2017 - Nominated, for The Pen/Robert W. Bingham Fellowship Award, Los Angeles, CA
2017 - Official Selection, Quantum Enigma, Fake Flesh Film Festival, Kamloops, BC, Canada
2017 - Official Selection, Quantum Enigma, Twin Lion Intl. Short Film Festival, Mumbai, India
2016 - Nominated for the Eric Hoffer Award, Titusville, NJ
2015 - Nominated, IPPY Book Award, Traverse City, MI
2014 - Nominated, Prisoner of the Mind, Geekie Award, Los Angeles, CA
2014 - Nominated, Prisoner of the Mind, Next Gen Indie Book Award, Vancouver, WA
2013 - Nominated, Prisoner of the Mind, Geekie Award, Los Angeles, CA
2007 - Award, “Best Advertisement” New York Spaces Magazine, New York, NY
2002 - Award, “Peoples Choice” ABC, Sydney, Australia
1999 - Award, “Contemporary Art International” Los Angeles, CA
1984 - Award, “United States Achievement Academy National Art Award”, Los Angeles, CA
1984 - Award, “Bank of America Award for Achievement” Los Angeles, CA
Visit my drawing blog to see some of my latest work and catch up with my list of projects and how to's. Support your local artist by reading a copy of my graphic novel Prisoner of the Mind sixteen years in the making. The story is a neo-noir thriller set in the near future. A government agent discovers a seventy year old secret, revealing a past that the agency will kill for.
Prisoner of the Mind is a graphic novel by Allan Linder, sixteen years in the making. The story is a neo-noir thriller set in the near future. A government agent discovers a seventy year old secret, revealing a past that the agency will kill for. http://www.prisonerofthemind.net/p/buy.html
Linder currently has two books published about his work by author and friend Todd Gunzelman. These first two books "20th Century and Beyond", and "Wandering Soul", document Linder's journey as an artist, painter, friend, and adventurer. Linder's personal passion comes from his pursuit of comic books, graphic novels, and children's books. His first graphic novel "Prisoner of the Mind” will be released this year along with the serialized comic books with the same title. Linder is writing his memoirs "Walking on the Sun" due in 2015. In addition to that, you may find several other works here that Linder has written, or illustrated.
To purchase any of these titles, please click on the book. Please visit the artist’s blog for more information, and to purchase other products. http://www.prisonerofthemind.net/
Allan Linder was born in 1966. He is the great grandson of Italian, immigrants that share a unique family history of four generations of artists’. A versatile artist from early childhood, Linder instinctively knew how to draw filling endless sketchbooks with his imagination.
During his youth, Allan’s father was in the military. His first artistic training was from his mother, later he apprenticed with several notable artists during his travels across America. Linder attended more than eight elementary schools around America diversifying his social perspective. This nomadic lifestyle contributed greatly to the development of his artwork and technique. At the age of fifteen, he was acknowledged nationally for his work, placing him in the top ten percent of all art students in America. Linder went on to receive the Bank of America award for achievement in art, and was given a financial scholarship. In 1984, he exhibited his already substantial body of work in his first gallery showing.
Allan Linder’s early work reflects his experimentation with materials, mediums, and subject matter. Most of his early paintings tend to be more colorful and expressive, he incorporates symbolism, shapes, numbers, and objects, the people that he paints have a sense of mystery and mysticism. His style varies from painting to painting, as does his signature. His style has matured and become more consistent with his skill. His recent artworks are very complex realistic scenes of New York City and the surrounding borough’s, he uses rich color along with dramatic lighting to instill a real sense of energy and emotion, just as you would find in the city that never sleeps.
In 2000, Allan split his time between Los Angeles and New York City. In New York City, Linder opened an artist run gallery with a business partner to explore the art scene, and create a community for like-minded artists to exhibit their work. He started the ground floor “Artists Gallery” in Chelsea, the heart of the New York art scene. Chelsea is home to more than 100 art galleries and museums in New York City. The Artists’ Gallery exhibitions focused on different cultural and political themes ranging from Art as Therapy to Pop Music. Linder would often co-curate exhibitions, and include elements of spoken word, music, performance art, video, installations, paintings, sculpture and poetry. Along with his own work, Linder exhibited the work of numerous emerging artists; Boom, Olan, John Goetz and Miko Goodnough as well as established painters like the abstract expressionist Robert Goodnough, renowned illustrator Gary Aagaard, Howard Eisman, Gary Jurysta and Leon Golub. The Artists’ gallery did very well for several years, but the bursting New York real estate market eventually caught up with the gallery and it closed its doors in 2004 after exhibiting more than 150 artists from 12 countries.
The entire universe is a visual feast for the mind's eye. Everyday I am inspired by something new and more interesting than the day before. By observation I examine the form and shape of how things are made, then I return to my studio with a renewed vigor. I pour over my canvas for hours and days and it seems like minutes and seconds. When my paintbrush flows my life has rhythm and everything has its tides. I enjoy exploring life's little paradoxes through my artwork. After all one can never stop learning. ~ Linder
Exhibitions and Awards
2013 - Hope Gala, Charity Auction, the Edison Ballroom, NY, NY
2012 - Charity Auction, The Santi School in Nepal, St. Johns UMC, Baltimore, MD
2012 - Group Exhibit, “Anonyme Zeichner CFP, Exhibit, Bar Barbette, Berlin, Germany
2012 - Solo Exhibit, The Loft Gallery, New York, NY
2012 - Solo Exhibit, Architectural Digest Home Design Show, New York, NY
2011 - Group Exhibit, Anonymous Drawings Archive Zurich, Switzerland
2011 - Benefit Aces and Angels Salute to the Troops, Belasco Theatre, Los Angeles, CA.
2011 - Benefit for CARE, Move 2011, Avenue Lounge, New York, NY
2011 - Solo Exhibit, Architectural Digest Home Design Show, New York, NY
2011 - Group Exhibition, “Black History” ASA Art Gallery, New York, NY
2010 - Charity Auction, “You Are Here” Gulf oil disaster benefit, The Urban Conservancy, The Icehouse, New Orleans, LA
2010 - Group Exhibition, “Contemporary Impressionism” Alternative Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2010 - Group Exhibition, “Anything Goes” The Courtyard Gallery, Asheville, NC
2009 - Solo Exhibition, “Seems Like Old Times” Cantina, Brooklyn, NY
2008 - Charity Auction, The Santi School in Nepal, L.O.F. Gallery, Baltimore, MD
2008 - Group Exhibit, “ANONYME ZEICHNER N°9” Kunstraum, Kreuzberg / Bethanien, Berlin, Germany
2008 - Solo Exhibit, “The Joy of Spring” Architectural Gallery, New York, NY
2008 - Solo Exhibit, “Winter Kills” Loft 158, New York, NY
2007 - Group Exhibit, “La Moustache” Boa Taverne Moderne, Montreal Canada
2007 - Group Exhibit & Benefit for Save the Children Foundation, “Wishing you were here” Arts Council New Haven, CT
2007 - Two person Exhibit, “Summer in the City” Hoorn-Ashby Gallery, NY, NY
2007 - Solo Exhibit, Architectural Digest Home Design Show, New York, NY
2007 - Solo Exhibit, “Home Sweet Home” The Showroom, New York, NY
2006 - Group Exhibit, JHL Presents “Time is Money” Greenwich Village, NY
2005 - Benefit for victims of Hurricane Katrina, Beverly Hills Friars Club, B.H., CA
2005 - Group Exhibit, “East Coast Artist Benefit” The Performing Garage, Soho, NY
2004 - Three person Exhibit, “Shut up and Paint” The Aurora Gallery; Chelsea, NY
2004 - Group Exhibit, “History In The Making” The Aurora Gallery; Chelsea, NY
2004 - Group Exhibit, “Crossing the Bridge” Axelle Fine Arts Galerie; Brooklyn, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “Aids Benefit” The Artists’ Gallery, Soho, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “9/11 Memorial Exhibit” The Artists’ Gallery, Chelsea, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “Surrealism Unbound” The Artists’ Gallery, Chelsea, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “Pop Music and Art” The Artists’ Gallery, Chelsea, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “Spring Retrospective” Ward-Nasse Gallery, Soho, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “Neutral Current” The Artists’ Gallery, Chelsea, NY
2003 - Solo Exhibit, “Transitions” The Studio Museum Bldg., Harlem, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “The Art Party” Show Night Club, New York, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “A New Beginning” The Artists’ Gallery, Chelsea, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “Plugged In” 35 Main Street Gallery, Sussex, NJ
2003 - Solo Exhibit, “Higher Elevation” Hiroko’s Place, Soho, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “Art as Therapy” The Artists’ Gallery, Chelsea, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “Future History” The Artists’ Gallery, Chelsea, NY
2003 - Group Exhibit, “The Mind of an Artist” The Artists’ Gallery, Chelsea, NY
2003 - Solo Exhibit, “I want you to be where you want to be” Java & Jazz, NY, NY
2002 - Group Exhibit, “Transitions” The Artists’ Gallery, Chelsea, NY
2002 - Group Exhibit, “Lost in the city” Ward-Nasse Gallery, Soho, NY
2002 - Group Exhibit, “Key hole of time” Galerie X, Hamburg, Germany
2002 - Solo Exhibit, “Moods” Rain Lounge, Williamsburg-Brooklyn, NY
2002 - Group Exhibit, “Seasons” Gallery Mali Villas Boas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
2002 - Group Exhibit, “Unity Canvas” Williamsburg Art & Hist. Ctr., Brooklyn, NY
2002 - Group Exhibit, “9/11 Artists Response” Fulton Street Gallery, Troy, NY
2002 - Group Exhibit, “Blue Print of life” Ward-Nasse Gallery, Soho, NY
2001 - Group Exhibit, “Primitive” Ward-Nasse Gallery, Soho, NY
1999 - Solo Exhibit, “Retrospective” Hollywood Warehouse Gallery, Hollywood, CA
1997 - Solo Exhibit, “Secrets” Creative Intelligence Agency Gallery, Burbank, CA
1995 - Solo Exhibit, “Thoughts and Dreams” Private Noho Gallery, Hollywood, CA
1993 - Group Exhibit, “Black and White” Installations One Gallery, Encino, CA
1992 - Solo Exhibit, “Inner Space/Outer Space” The Balboa Bldg., Northridge, CA
1990 - Group Exhibit, “Democracy" South Bay Contemporary Museum of Art, CA
1990 - Group Exhibit, “Words and Images” Installations One Gallery, Encino, CA
1989 - Solo Exhibit, “Los Angeles International Exposition” Los Angeles, CA
1988 - Group Exhibit, “Portraits” Installations One Gallery, Encino, CA
1986 - Group Exhibit, “The Pencil and its Potential” Install One Gallery, Encino, CA
1984 - Solo Exhibit, “Fantasy” The New Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
== Awards ==
2007- Award, “Best Advertisement” New York Spaces Magazine, NY
2002 - Award, “Peoples Choice” ABC, Sydney, Australia
1984 - Award, “United States Achievement Academy National Art Award”, CA
1984 - Award, “Bank of America Award for Achievement” Los Angeles, CA
Comic Book Resources (CBR), Mesa, AZ
Comic Book And Movie Reviews, Scottsdale, AZ
Sci-Fi Pulse, UK
That F’ing Monkey, Orlando, FL
A Comic Book Look, Sioux Falls, SD
Comic Noize, Hudson, MA
Elseworlds Podcast, Tulsa, OK
Behind The Panels, Kingsgrove, AU
Outside The Cube, Oakland, CA
Super Robot Mayhem, UK
India Times, Bangalore, India
Hoorn-Ashby Gallery, New York, NY
Axelle Fine Arts Gallerie, New York, NY
The Artists’ Gallery, New York, NY
Ward-Nasse Gallery, New York, NY
The Aurora Gallery, New York, NY
The Fulton Street Gallery, Troy, New York
Installations One Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
The Artrom Gallery, Rome, Italy
Isabella Bortolozzi Gallery, Berlin, Germany
International Auction Records
The Washington Post
The Brooklyn Rail, Brooklyn, NY
The Staten Island Advance, Staten Island, NY
The Los Angeles Times, LA, CA
Art in America
The Daily Herald
Ciao Allan,
You have an interesting history. You've seen a lot of art in your days, from the inside. This has certainly honed your eye. What I note immediately is a general desire in your work to enter as deep into the painting as possible, to penetrate the surface barrier and offer a big view. The perspective is effective in achieving this result and it is enhanced with lights and reflections.
Technically you are there. Nothing is out of place and it is obvious that a good deal of planning goes into your paintings. The talent that is evident in your paintings is the ability to create a mood, a sensual style that is inviting and draws the viewer in. This is enhanced by the misty, slightly out-of-focus overall effect. You are a painter in the best sense of the word. I notice you sometimes paint over a pre-textured surface. I'm not sure how effective that is.
There is a tendency to slip over onto the sentimental side, the scenes sometimes become a bit "dreamy" and ideal, sometimes pretty. You want to please your audience but they are not tested in any way, which of course is not a crime. Your work has great appeal, I'm sure you know that, but they may lack that "unpredictable" element. Nonetheless, the paintings are impressive.
There was no information on the size of "Downtown Blue", but it is a painting that works at any size, but the bigger the better for its impact. What is most evident is the treatment of the light from the sky, from the water, from the streetlights, from the reflected buildings. Light is the protagonist in this work, almost above the subject matter. The triangles you use to divide the canvas are brilliant compositional devices. The slightly higher vantage point into the painting places the viewer as an observer of the scene and not a participant. The dark umber under the fence serves as a strong, firm foundation and grounding device. The eye is led into and around the painting discovering the details that are nicely modeled where they need to be and left a bit vague where they are not necessary. All the elements in the painting, including the deep, rich, saturated color reinforce and enhance the appreciation of the spectacle you present.
In "Downtown Blue" the sensations are transmitted. Similar to the sensations generated by the French Impressionists, with a slightly Pop sensibility thrown in. You have an eye for composition and the balance of forces within the painting. This painting, more than the others, is witness to that. Keep up the courage.
Sincerely,
David Genovesi director ARTROM Gallery Rome Italy
Linder currently has two books published about his work by author and friend Todd Gunzelman. These first two books "20th Century and Beyond", and "Wandering Soul", document Linder's journey as an artist, painter, friend, and adventurer.
Linder's personal passion comes from his pursuit of comic books, graphic novels, and children's books.
His first graphic novel "Prisoner of the Mind” was released this year along with the serialized comic books with the same title. Linder is writing his memoirs "Walking on the Sun" due in 2015. In addition to that, you may find several other works here that Linder has written, or illustrated. To purchase any of these titles, please click on the book. Please visit the artist’s blog for more information, and to purchase other products. http://www.prisonerofthemind.net/
Linder’s Work
a. Early Work
Allan Linder’s early work reflects his experimentation with materials, mediums, and subject matter. Most of his early paintings tend to be more colorful and expressive, he incorporates symbolism, shapes, numbers, and objects, the people that he paints have a sense of mystery and mysticism. His style varies from painting to painting as does his signature. With his stepfather in the military, Linder attended more than eight elementary schools around America further diversifying his social perspective. Linder accepted his stepfather’s surname, Shaw, and painted as Allan Shaw for most of the years between 1979 and 1995, making these unique Shaw paintings very collectible today.
b. Medium
Linder has worked with nearly every medium over the past 25 years to create his artwork. He has created early stone carvings, sculpture in wood, cast bronze, aluminum, welded steel, silver, earthenware, wax, and clay. He has also worked in paper, cardboard, pen and ink, charcoal, gouaches, watercolor, chalk pastel, oil pastel, oil paint, acrylic and of course pencil. Out of all of the mediums at his disposal, his passion lies with acrylic paint on canvas and simple pencil on paper.
c. Current Work
With the advent of his thirtieth birthday, Linder forsook the Shaw name, finally accepting his true family name despite his father’s abandonment. Not only does Allan paint with the Linder surname, but his signature is created the same way on every painting from about 1996 to present. His style has matured and become more consistent with his skill. His recent artworks are very complex realistic scenes of New York City and the surrounding borough’s, he uses rich color along with dramatic lighting to instill a real sense of energy and emotion, just as you would find in the city that never sleeps.
