Linda Ursin - The Multi-Creative Heathen Witch

Linda Ursin

Norway

Mediums: I work in acrylic, watercolor, pencil, and colored pencil. I also do the occasional mixed media piece. My specialty is amulet art, where I've hidden a rune, rune symbol, or a word or phrase written in runes in the picture, to make it into an amulet.

Style: I'd say my style is pretty relaxed. I don't stick to any particular style, but go where my inspiration takes me.

Favorite Quotes: “Art should be a question mark, it should never be the answer” ~ Marilyn Manson

“Goddesses do NOT cook and clean – being a goddess is a full-time job” ~ Helga Hlaðgerður Lúthersdóttir

“Early to rise, early to bed, makes a man healthy, wealthy and dead” ~ Belafon the druid, The light fantastic, Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett

“Time you enjoy wasting, is not wasted time” ~ John Lennon

Lavender Field © Linda Ursin

“The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity” ~ Dorothy Parker

“Not a shred of evidence exists in favour of the idea that life is serious.” ~ Brendan Gill

“You were born an original. Don’t die a copy” ~ John Mason

Favorite Books: I don't have favorite books, since I read so much. I do have favorite authors: Agatha Christie, Anne Rice, Jean M. Auel, Jeffrey Deaver, Kathy Reichs, Margit Sandemo

Favorite Movies: I mostly watch crime, horror, sci-fi and thrillers. But I also enjoy movies like Ice Age. I never, ever willingly watch drama. There’s too much drama in real life, so why would i want to watch it when I try to relax and enjoy myself?

I paint in watercolor and acrylics, and create drawings. My specialty is what I call Amulet Art, where I've hidden runes selected for the purpose of the amulet in the picture.

Please tell us about your first experience creating.

I've been drawing and painting as long as I can remember. I can't say I have a specific first memory of creating. I've just always been doing it.

What music do you like to have playing while creating art?

I don't really play any specific music when doing art. I prefer metal when it comes to music otherwise.

donkey for stubbornness

A Donkey for Stubbornness © Linda Ursin

If you have a job besides being an artist, can you tell us about it?

I have a business that has three branches; guidance, witchcraft, and art.

A a graphic designer and web designer, I help entrepreneurs and Pagans get their web presence to where they want and need it to be. I usually describe myself as the Multi-Creative Heathen Witch, which is the short version I use to describe what I do.

I write articles and books on several subjects, and I’m the co-host of Margarita Midnight and host of Meet the Bands on All Things Pagan Radio. I’m also the author of the forthcoming book “Wonderful Weeds – The Forgotten Resource”.

As a witch, I provide unique, handmade amulets and other products, Tarot and rune readings and magical services. '

I'm also a life guide, and offer women a way out of overachievement and overwhelm.

Besides all that, I'm headed for disability, due to the effects of hyper-mobility.

What are you trying to convey to viewers through your art?

What I try to convey through my art, is a love for nature, paganism, and that perfection is overrated.

great tit

The Great Tit © Linda Ursin

Tell us about your creative process, from the beginning of a typical piece to its completion:

I usually start with a general idea of what I want to create, and in what medium I want to do it. The I just get going. I don't do preliminary sketches, I just start. Then I keep going until I'm happy with how it looks. If there are any living beings in the scene, I do my best to represent them in a recognizable way. When it comes to that, I'm a bit of a perfectionist. Otherwise I'm pretty relaxed.

What things inspire you to create art?

I can get inspired by just about anything. It might be something I see online, but it might also be something I see outside, or just an idea that pops into my head.

What exhibitions have you had?

I haven't had any exhibitions, because it's so hard to get into exhibitions here in Norway.

A Hungry Crow © Linda Ursin

Have you sold any of your artworks?

I've sold one painting, a watercolor painting of a tree, which was an amulet art piece. It was one of my followers who bought it through my website.

How do you promote your art on the internet?

I have a website, a gallery website, a Facebook page and a Google+ page. I also post progress videos on YouTube and post links on Pinterest, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Tell us about influences.

I can't think of any specific influences. I guess Monet could be one.

Please recommend another artist you admire.

Candace N'Diaye is one of my favorites. She's a multi-passionate, just like me, and a fellow entrepreneur.

Another one is Laura Hollick. She's a creativity and business coach, and quite famous in the entrepreneurial community.

A third is Pixie Cold, and her make-up pictures. I love the colors she uses. Eyes are her main focus.

A fourth is Matthew Cornell. His creations are the most magnificent.

endurance

Tell us something interesting in your life.

I've managed to create a full life for myself, and stay creative, despite 20 years of chronic pain.

I was born in Sweden. I moved in with my future husband (a Norwegian) the day after I met him. We moved to Norway 8 years later.

I did very well in school, but didn't finish until I was 27, because I dropped out twice.

When I wasn't a parent, I used to read up to 500 books a year.

If you could live your life over again, would there be anything you would do differently?

I should probably have kicked my husband out when we were younger, but then I wouldn't have my wonderfully creative and gifted daughter. So the answer would probably be no.

What plans do you have for the future of your art?

I hope to do more commissions, and to have my art hanging on a lot more walls than it is today.

Do you have any good advice for emerging artists?

My advice would be to just be yourself, and stick to what you like to do. Don't conform to get sales.