Lynda Goldberg: Simmons Alumna Artist

While writing previous postings for this blog, I began wondering if I could locate some practicing fine artists among Simmons alums. My searches led me to Lynda Goldberg '74, who responded warmly to my first (and subsequent) contact with her, and has a web site where I could see her work (www.lyndagoldberg.com). This very prolific artist also lives and works conveniently close to me in the Boston area.

My husband and I met Lynda at the Needham Public Library this month to see an exhibit of her artwork. (Incidentally and happily, while there, we ran into Simmons economics professor, Don Basch.) Lynda was friendly and animated as she discussed her work with us.

Before I go any farther, let me suggest that sometime this month you give yourself a respite from the slippery sidewalks and soiled snow by visiting this exuberant exhibit! (Many of the works in the show are not yet posted on her web site, which is another reason to see the actual exhibit.)

A transfer student from McGill University, in Montreal, Lynda majored in political science and minored in studio art at Simmons. ("It was a wonderful experience!" she said), and she used her Simmons ID for frequent trips to the MFA and museums. Her senior year was spent in Paris at the Institute of European Studies, where she learned etching (taught entirely in French!).

After returning to the States, Lynda continued printing at the Experimental Etching Studio in Boston, but subsequently interrupted her artistic pursuits for about nine years. After her divorce, she "immediately picked up art again." During her second marriage, "I made time for art so that I would feel fulfilled, happy, and creative," she said. Her family completely supports her art, "which has taken over the whole house."

She learned to create monotypes* at the Jewish Community Center in Newton, Massachusetts, where she now teaches. Lynda notes that, "The monotype fits my personality. Anything goes!"

Her nature series represents, without exactly replicating, the natural world. In some of the work, like "Night in the Woods" and "Night Storm" (the first two images above), the viewer's perspective appears askew, as if we are crawling in some undergrowth, spying on nature's secrets. In much of the work, the colors are intensely in-your-face. In "Branching Out" and the opulent "Blues Leaves Reaching Out" (fourth and fifth images above), not only are the colors bold, but the plants gingerly but relentlessly, make their way into the margins, as if their growth simply can't be contained.

In these monotypes, Lynda inks and presses actual leaves, stems, and flower petals; when you look closely, you can see the dents and tiny ruts left by the vegetation. The layering and ragged edges of the paper add texture to the "natural" effect.

Her work has earned her impressive awards and invitations to show in numerous exhibits. She's having a show in the Daniels Gallery at Hebrew Rehab (1200 Center Street) in Roslindale in March, and Lynda will show her work in the upcoming Newton Open Studios on May 16 and 17, 2009.

Purchasers of her art report being thrilled to see it on waking each morning or walking into the house at the end of the day. Her prices start at about $215 (framed) for "Memories," one of my favorites (the sixth image above).

A final observation about Lynda Goldberg's art: Her presence is palpable in the work, making a connection with the viewer. This quality makes me feel that we might like reproductions, but we live originals.

Note: If you know of other Simmons alum artists, please leave their contact info in the Comments on this blog. Or, email me at relief11@comcast.net.

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* To learn more about the rich uniqueness of monotypes, visit

www.collectorsguide.com/fa/fa042.shtml and www.monoprints.com/info/monoprints.html.