About the Artist

Hello! My name is Linda Cassella, artist and author. Welcome to my website and thank you for your interest in my work.

“Artist” is a new way to describe myself. While I have always been interested in drawing, I basically gave up after receiving negative comments from a high school teacher. I went on to college and graduated from Cleveland State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. I was an elementary teacher for four years before moving to Washington and starting a family. In 1984, I began a thirty year career with the US Postal Service. We bought property in the woods and built ourselves a log cabin. Needless to say, family and career was my priority and art was an occasional leisure activity.

I didn’t really start painting until ten years ago. I joined a group of artists that got together for monthly model sessions. I learned by trial and error and by watching the other artists. I was definitely the beginner in the group, but I was hooked. I started taking classes to learn techniques and experiment with different styles. During the pandemic in 2020, I found myself isolated at home with plenty of time on my hands. I signed up for an online class that introduced a more abstract color style for painting portraits. My style and skill blossomed. In six months, I completed over 40 paintings, several of which were commissions for pet portraits. I have continued painting new portraits in 2021 and I was selected to have two paintings exhibited in the ArtWalk in Sandpoint, ID.

In the fall of 2020, my grandson started kindergarten. Due to the pandemic, his schooling was online. I had an idea to involve him in creating a beginner’s reading book. I showed him two of the animal paintings I had done and asked him what he thought was happening. This became the basis for the story that also features many of the other animal paintings I had done. I created this as a photobook for Christmas. Some of my friends also wanted copies and then suggested that I get it published. So, now I can add “author” to my list of credits. The book, What Do You See? is available from my link on this site, as well as on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, in soft-cover and digital formats.

After retiring, I never thought that I would be following these creative pursuits, exhibiting my art and creating a website. It just goes to show that age is just a number and does not set a limit on what you can achieve. I’m excited to see where this adventure takes me.

Thank you for being part of the journey!

What Our Customers Say

“For my birthday this year I received this wonderful painting from my mom. For those who know me, …my dogs are my babies.Linda captured their individual personalities with the painting. Such talent and passion in her work and I am fortunate to have such a wonderful piece of her work that captures my babies”

Michellee

“I asked Linda to do a painting of my daughter’s 3 dogs. Linda took some different pictures of the dogs from …Facebook and did one large picture of all of them. The painting was perfect of all three dogs. Michelle loved the picture and it’s hanging in her living room. It was a perfect present for my daughter’s birthday. Thank you, Linda”

Cindy

“I purchased the beautiful zebra painting from Linda recently, and I just love it! The colors are so vibrant and seem to match… the sweet personality Linda captured. The face, and especially the eyes, are wonderful. It’s proudly on display in our home. Thanks, Linda, for your wonderful talent and your willingness to share it with others.”

Eileen

“I received a portrait of my dog, painted by Linda, as a Christmas gift. It is my favorite picture …of my dog and will be forever cherished. Linda was really able to capture Phoebe’s character and the colors are absolutely gorgeous.”

Nikki

“The portrait that Linda painted of my cat Milo was very endearing and very true to the original …photograph I showed her. I love the fact that she uses abstract colors and brings the picture to life. She was very willing to listen to the details that I wanted to focus on and I was very satisfied with the outcome! I would definitely use her professional skills again.”

Joyce

“When I first saw Linda’s fabulous use of layered and diverse color which so enlivened her animal paintings, … I knew I had to have her paint my beloved pets, and quickly before her paintings became more prized and expensive than I could afford. Those paintings have become treasured artwork in my home and, in addition to warming my heart on a daily basis, get admiring attention from all my visitors.Texture, light, color – all combine to capture the true essence of Linda’s subjects, in a unique and engaging manner. I’m a fan!”

Beth

“When I purchased a portrait of an elephant, it wasn’t because I love elephants. It was because I love the use…of colors and because of the simplicity. Very elegant, and simply stunning. I love it!”

Keith

“I commissioned two pet portraits for Christmas gifts. They are amazing! Linda captured the personality of…both dogs. Needless to say, they were a huge hit.”