about
Carmen Linda was born in El Paso, TX. Her mother's family migrated from Zacatecas and Chihuahua, Mexico to the United States. Her father was of Swedish descent, migrating to Oklahoma. Carmen was one of six children raised on the border speaking Spanish before English. She spent much of her time with her Abuelos and was immersed in Mexican culture through her childhood. After marriage, she moved all over the Southwest and Mexico. She has 3 grown children and 3 grandchildren which she spends time painting with. Carmen has always been fascinated with creation and the process of 'making' to help express her inner union with her outer reflections. The concept of place, as well as feeling "out of place' has been a big part of her experiences and growth. Raising a family in many locations cultivated unity in diversity and soul searching for wholeness, shaping her artistic perspective. Whether inspired by the rhythmic beat of indigenous drummers or vastness of starry skies, her creations are all a part of her senses engaging with place and presence. Her Abuelo had a dicho, 'En Cada Cabeza Hay Un Mundo' which means, the universe is within you. Family, culture, spirituality, nature and traveling ignites her expressions most.
artist statement
"En cada cabeza hay un mundo, the universe is within you"
The constant relocating in my life has profoundly shaped my artistic practice, instilling in me a deep sensitivity to the concept of place. Each environment I encounter leaves an imprint—textural, emotional, and energetic—which weaves its way into my work. This ever-evolving relationship with place fuels a dynamic visual language, rooted in memory, intuition, and the layered experiences of transition and belonging.
Central to my process is a tactile and spiritual engagement with nature. I often begin by collecting organic materials—fallen branches, leaves, stones, seed pods—during hikes. These objects are more than just tools or textures; they are carriers of the land’s energy and quiet stories. I use them not only as inspiration but often to create: crafting brushes from branches, incorporating natural textures into paper, or grinding pigments from earth and plant matter. Through these acts, I forge a dialogue between myself and the environment, allowing nature to co-create the work.
My materials span beyond acrylic on canvas to include mixed media—ink, collage, natural tools, and various types of paper. This layering of natural and human-made elements creates a conversation between the fleeting moments and the long-standing elements , the intuitive and the intentional. By blending these materials, I seek to create work that reflects both the rawness of the natural world and the complexity of internal landscapes.
At its core, my practice is about connection: to place, both internal and external, to material, and to the quiet, often overlooked rhythms of the natural world. I aim to make visible the subtle interweaving of land and self, and to invite others into a deeper, more mindful relationship with their environment.