ARTIST STATEMENT

Lynda McClanahan is a self-taught artist living and working in Columbus, Ohio.  A graduate of the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, Lynda plays keyboard and accordion with her husband as part of the singing duo, "Nick & Polina."  She currently performs at Unity Spiritual Center of Delaware, Ohio and Unity East Church in Pickerington, where she directs the choir.  She also serves the Central Ohio spiritual community by performing weddings, christenings and funerals.

Lynda received a Masters of Theology from a Methodist Seminary in 2000 but has also studied Eastern spirituality and yoga.  Lynda has traveled widely with a group of Hindu monks to temples in India, Malaysia, Cambodia and Australia.  During these trips she became fascinated by Persian, Mughal and Hindu village art.  Hand-woven sarees inspire her use of bright, saturated color.  Vivid iconography, bold color and story-telling inform all of her work.  Personal allegory forms much of the subject matter, as well as various god and goddess traditions of India.

Lynda spends her time making art and music and working in a large vegetable garden.  She makes her own wine and grows and preserves many types of fruit and vegetables.  Lynda's visual work consists of oil enamel paintings informed by her travels, her garden and a belief in the sancity of Nature.