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  Home Page » A&E » Painter Brings Lifelong Passion To Local Storefronts

Painter brings lifelong passion to local storefronts

by Karin L. Becker
Special to the Herald Her first client was an unlikely one. On a cold and slow wintry day, Linda Greenberg convinced the owner of Mountain Treasures, where she exhibited and sold some of her work, that the display windows needed to be decorated for the holidays and she would be the one to paint them. Not only did her window painting result in more traffic for the store, but others saw it and began to hire Greenberg to paint their windows. Eight years later, without a lick of advertising, her business continues to spread by word of mouth.

Greenberg has been window painting her whole life. Growing up, her mother let her paint windows in their home for the holidays, and she encouraged her artwork so much that Greenberg pursued a degree in studio art from the University of Texas. Now, as the head of her own business, Green Mountain Creations, Greenberg has expanded her talents to become an accomplished silversmith and watercolor painter.

Her work is most prominently displayed at Carver Brewing Co., where the owners tell her of the upcoming events but give her creative license to design the window fronts. Although the artwork changes to cater to the year's events, one constant remains: whether it's a biker, scarecrow or Santa, someone is holding a beer.

"People have come to expect it," Greenberg says of her window scenes.

With each display taking about two or three days to complete, Greenberg most enjoys the interaction with people. People stop to talk and children stare with fascination.

Other clients include holiday displays at Katzin's Music, PCS, Alpine Bank, San Juan Citizen's Alliance and Curves for Women.

Greenberg said the most difficult venue she's painted is The Southern Ute Youth Center in Ignacio because she has to paint on the inside but the scene will be viewed from the outside. That means she has to paint backwards.

Additionally, the medium of glass holds its own challenges for painters. Different than painting on paper, with glass, "You have to consider both sides, how the design will appear from the front and the back, not just the surface," she said.

Also, the designs are more simplistic, more illustrative.

"It's not fine art, but the execution is just as demanding," Greenberg said.

Painting outside is another factor because Greenberg has to adjust for hot temperatures, knowing the paint will dry quickly and sometimes the top layer of paint takes off the bottom layer. Alternately, cool temperatures make the paint squirrely and clumpy.

In a phone interview last week, responding like a true literate, Greenberg said, "You have to read the paint."

Greenberg is not the only window painter in town. Lorraine Taylor and her daughter Katherine Penning have painted a majority of store fronts downtown for the last four decades. Greenberg and Taylor work cooperatively with each other, admiring their different styles and techniques. During the holidays when work is plentiful, they will pass on jobs to the other if one's load is too heavy.

A grave fall shattered Greenberg's wrist a few years ago, and two surgeries and over a year of physical therapy set her back, a little. Her doctor asked if she painted loosely or tightly, and when she responded that she paints with lots of detail, he asked her to change her style. Dismissing his advice, she has learned to adjust with less dexterity.

"It's not going to stop me," she said.

becker_K@fortlewis.edu
Karin L. Becker teaches composition at Fort Lewis College.