The Bend Art community continues to grow and as it does, a few things remain the same. One is Linda Spring, perpetual advocate for local artists and renegade designer of wearable art. Spring has long worked toward creating spaces and places for artists to create, show their work and collaborate in Central Oregon. In the past she operated Studio 550, an active gallery space specifically for large conceptual, political installations, and served on the board of Artists Local 101. "If an artist needs to dump a pile of dirt somewhere, you could do that in my gallery," recalls Spring.
For the last five years, Spring has brought her love and enthusiasm for the arts community to the airwaves with her segment, Radioactive Art, the Thursday edition of KPOV's daily morning show The Point. While radio offers a unique challenge when discussing visual art, Spring finds the inability to "see" the work being discussed to be an asset. "A lot of painters are seen, but the general public rarely gets to hear what they have to say—their inspirations, their technique or the essences of their work. To hear an artist talk about process and their passion, and source of inspiration, it is a unique offering," says Spring.
IIt's also allowed Spring to use her show as a way to teach listeners how to talk about art. Often, with an artist's work in front of her, Spring describes the art. Does it have texture? How's the color? Does it feel ethereal? The result is often an educational one, allowing listeners to greater understand the world of visual art, and often what goes into it. "People learn how much goes into a piece—all the hours, resources, materials and such."
Creatively these days, Spring continues to be inspired by painting on silk and offers her wearable art at various shops in Bend and Portland. While many of her wearable pieces include scarves and leggings she sells in high-end boutiques, her love for painting on silk is still extended onto her fine art as well. "I am feeling newly invigorated," she says of her focus these days. Linda Spring being excited is a great prospect for us all.
![Get Your Art on the Wall ▶ [with video] (con versión en español)](https://media2.bendsource.com/bend/imager/get-your-art-on-the-wall-with-video-con-version-en-espanol/u/r-bigsquare/12934834/artwatch1.1.jpg?cb=1680199454)
