I was born and raised in Chicago and moved to the Pullman Historic District ( now Pullman National Monument) 20 years ago. I attended the School of the Art Institute for my BFA (1970) and my MFA (1995).
Since 2008 my art form has been the folk tradition of penny rugs, a form of textile art dating back at least to the Civil War. While I pay homage to the root of all penny rug designs through the use of layered circles, I have no desire to duplicate traditional designs in either form or color. My intention is to expand traditional forms and create new ones, hence my work can often follow non-traditional shapes. My materials of choice include felt, roving, silk, wool, and many forms of embellishment such as beads, embroidery threads of cotton, silk and wool, buttons, ceramics, and hand-sawn metalwork. I am also fond of making my works inter-active as touching a piece provides a sensory experience not usually associated with artwork.
More recently I have once again picked up my knitting and crochet needles (after 30 years) and am creating public installations of fiber work, hopefully, for the enjoyment of all!
Peace in Art,
Linda Beierle Bullen lindabbullen at gmail.com
