Linda Ravella, Artist

Linda Ravella I showed a passion for art at a very young age, receiving art awards as early as grade school. The arts were the center of my education. Instructor Lois Pety became my mentor. Upon graduating, I earned a scholarship to The Phoenix School of Design in New York City. I worked as a Technical Illustrator for years, before raising my 3 sons. While living on Long Island, I also enjoyed painting local scenes and the beautiful seascapes inherent of the area.

Most of the 1980s were spent living in Michigan. It was there that I became intensely involved in the art community. I received further art instruction (at the college level) from instructors Mary Vangilder, Johanna Hass, and Leslie Masters. I also studied at The Detroit Institute of Arts and The Center for Creative Studies in Detroit. I took membership in such prestigious organizations as The Birmingham-Bloomfleld Art Association, Waterford Friends of the Arts and The Pontiac-Oakland Society Of Artists. I had professional memberships with The Cranbrook Institute of Arts. The Paint Creek Center for the Arts, and The Michigan Watercolor Society. While in Michigan, I won numerous art show awards. It was also at this time that I began to do commissioned paintings.

At the end of that decade, I lived in the Brandywine Valley region of Pennsylvania. Though it was only for a short while, I enjoyed capturing the beauty and history of that area on canvas. I also became involved with some professional art organizations, such as The Delaware Museum of Art, The Chester County Art Association and The Community Arts Center in Wallingford, Pa.

After Pennsylvania, I relocated to Holliston, Massachusetts, a town 25 miles west of Boston. It was at that point that my professionalism flourished.

Linda Ravella, artist I became the sole proprietor of my business and through that business, I painted many individual and corporate commissions, including portraits of several prominent business and sports figures; to include Hugene Trusdale Cleland, architect of Kirk in the Hills Church, Bloomfield, Michigan; Shirley A De Liberto, Executive Director of the New Jersey Transit authority; Kathleen M. Haage, Area Director U.S. Custom Services; Virginia E. Haines, Executive Director New Jersey Lottery Commission, and jockey Carl Gambardella (Hall Of Fame), along with others.

I was also commissioned to create a 4' x 8' mural for Cedar Hill Associates and Environmental Fire Protection, a Marlboro, Massachusetts Real Estate Development & Fire Sprinkler Company. It depicts the history of both companies, showing every building they had occupied, built, or bought (step by step) during their history. The employees commissioned me to paint it as a sign of appreciation to the owner and President, Alan G. Germain. In addition, the MIAA, in Franklin, Massachusetts, purchased a few large Geclee's to display in their establishment.

Boston became my first love for subject matter. To date I have (oil) painted a series of Swan Boat paintings, views of The Public Garden and other familiar scenes throughout the city. There is a line of limited edition prints that includes my images.

Since the Boston scenes, I have spread out to become a New England artist, painting scenes from numerous locations, including Cape Cod; Jackson, New Hampshire; Ougonquit, Maine; and many other locations. During my travels through northern New England, I fell in love with many of the beautiful hotels and resorts that are located there. I have done original oil paintings and limited edition prints for such establishments as The Mount Washington Hotel and Resort & Bretton Woods, New Hampshire; The Woodstock Inn, Woodstock, Vermont; The Green Mountain Inn and Top Notch Resort and Spa, both in Stowe, Vermont, and The Wayside Inn, Sudbury, Massachusetts.

While living in New England, I have studied under one of America's leading portrait painters, Daniel E. Greene, N.A. and attended The Rhode Island School Of Design. After living in Holliston, Massachusetts, for 20 years, I now reside in Franklin, Massachusetts.

Swanboat In April of 2016, Stronger Film Productions asked to use Linda's artwork ("Swanboat" Print) as a set dressing and/or prop in their upcoming motion picture "Stronger". They did the same with her other artwork in "Gone Baby Gone", & "Ted 2", a while before....

"Stronger" follows Jeff Bauman, a normal 27-year-old guy, who enjoyed nothing more then watching the Red Sox at his local bar. But on April 15th, 2013, everything changed. While cheering on his girlfriend Erin at The Boston Marathon, the first bomb went off at Jeff's feet, taking both of his legs with it.

During the aftermath, one unforgettable photograph forever captured Jeff as the face of this tragedy. "Stronger" chronicles Jeff's recovery as he grapples with both the loss of his mobility and his newfound celebrity following the attack. It's a story of triumph over adversity, how sometimes in our darkest moments we find unexpected strength.

Through this journey, Jeff comes to understand how his family, friends and the world came to consider an average guy who was in the wrong place at the wrong time a hero. Production requested permission to use Linda's artwork as set dressing in the home and/or work place of one of the characters.

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