Meet the Artist


Lynne Loshbaugh was born in San Francisco, raised in the Bay Area, and educated at Pomona College. She  is a self-taught artist who began painting after her three children were in school. She lives and works in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Lynne’s own words on her art:
About the first thing anyone asks me, (asks any artist, I suspect) is “Where do you get your ideas?” How should I answer?

I could say “well, from the Artists’ Handbook of a Thousand and One Ideas.” Or I could say, “I start a new piece by sitting down with a sketch book and then ideas just fall out of the end of my pencil.” I could say ideas come from places I’ve been, books I’ve read, poems I’ve written, from folk art and kids’ drawings, from music, possibly from all of the above. But the truth is I don’t know where ideas come from, so I just keep making up stories about ideas.

Last year it was a lot of rain I painted, hoping the drought would come to an end. This year it seems to be birds, but why birds? Another story to invent. I could say, “Well, Audubon asked me to do something about birds and I got hooked on birds and couldn’t stop.” Or I could say, “Well, it’s because birds have this deep mystical meaning for me.” Or, “They are embodiments of lost souls.” Or, “They remind me of my mother.” (Truly, hummingbirds would come sit on her finger). Or I could say, “Birds are these tiny bundles of life. They bring messages from the next universe.”

Closer to the truth would be, “well, I got tired of making flying fish.” Besides, there are only one or two places fish have been known to walk when I needed them to. But birds are trim, sleek shapes that provide direction and movement in a painting without my even asking. And you can play with their expressions, even when they’re only masks.

These past years of course dogs have been my favorite companions and so they often sneak into my paintings. The trick for me when I start a painting is to let go of the real world and wander into one of magic and fantasy. I’ve never really done a “theme show” because that imaginary world is constantly changing in my mind. People ask if I paint my dreams. They should be thankful that I don’t; I myself would run from them if I could. But in a painting you can turn emotions inside out and create whatever reality you choose, perhaps wistful, colorful, humorous, and maybe even deliciously sarcastic. An artist can actually escape into a painting the way Alice entered through her looking glass.

Then there’s the next question, “What in the world does this mean?” Which demands another story? Occasionally I can make one up to fit a particular piece, on a particular day. I know what I have in mind when I start but then the painting takes over and tells its’ own story. It’s my job to listen as best I can. That doesn’t mean I know what it’s about in the end. If I did I probably wouldn’t say because I would so limit what viewers might see. So, stories are invented, meaning as are multiple; I hope each person will bring their own story to my work. And, as always, I hope they also bring a smile, and a question.

33 thoughts on “Meet the Artist”

    • Hi Heidi,

      Lynne only had a few calendars made this year for friends and family but we will plan ahead for 2014!

      Bonnie Loshbaugh (Lynne’s granddaughter)

    • Hi Heidi, I hope to have another calendar by next year, I MIGHT be able to have another one printed of this year’s work, but it’d cost about $30. when you add in packing and shipping.
      Glad you like the work!!!

      LOLL

  4. Dear Lynne, I live in Manhattan, N.Y.C. and your painting of ‘Slam Bang Sam’ has hung in my dining area for many years now. It is a treasured part of my life and of my family and friends. I’m grateful for this electronic medium which gives me the opportunity to thank you for this painting which I love. If you’re ever in NY and want to visit it, let me know.
    Ellen

  5. My husband and I purchased Ms. Loshbaugh’s “Something Southwesty” in Sante Fe, N.M. in the 1980’s. It has remained one of our favorite works of art. We proudly display it over the mantel in the living room of our Madison, Wisconsin home. It has brought us so much pleasure and joy through the years. Our kids suggested that we let Lynne know how much we enjoy her painting.
    Dianne Gomez, 12/25/12

    • Hi Dianne,
      So glad to hear that your painting has brought you joy for so long. I’ll pass your comments on to Lynne.
      Bonnie Loshbaugh (Lynne’s granddaughter)

  6. Hello Lynne,
    How wonderful to get the notice of this website and to see all your new work! I have sent a longer e-mail to the last e-mail address I had for you and hope it is the correct one. I would love to reconnect, it has been far too long. Jim sends love as do I
    Suzan Zeder and Jim Hancock.

    • Hi Suzan,
      Thanks for your note. I’ll pass it on to Lynne and check if she got your email as well.
      Bonnie Loshbaugh (Lynne’s granddaughter)

  7. I love your website. I have three of your paintings–two at my office and one at home. I adore them. One of my sons doesn’t approve of them. But your stuff makes me feel so playful. I have never tired of them!

  8. Hi Lynne–I met you last night at Rae Taylor’s gathering for her friends. I love your web site and I’m glad I got to see so many of your paintings. Hope to see you again sometime in Santa Fe. Marjie Kamine

    • Hi Marjie, sorry I don’ get to this web-site place very often, although I check my email almost every night…my email is loll@nets.com.
      And yes, it was fun to meet you and some of Rae’s friends, hope we can get together again one of these days!

  9. Lynn, we purchased a painting for our granddaughters room with your last name on the back of the canvas. I’m hoping it is yours but I cannot find its image on the web anywhere. Can you take a look and let me know if it is yours and what it’s title is? I can’t attach a picture here but can email if that is acceptable. Thanks!,,

  10. We bought a piece of art with “loshbaugh” on the back if the canvas and what looks like your signature on the front. Unfortunately I am unable to find any reference to this piece on the web anywhere. If I send you a photo can you tell me if it is indeed your work and if so what it’s title is? Thanks so much for your time!

  11. Hi Dana, can you either email or mail me a photo of the painting you’re asking about? I have some 800 +pieces altogether and only a few recent ones are on the web site.

    • Thank you so much for responding! I’m so excited to find out! I love this piece and my granddaughter does too!! I have attached three photos, hopefully the come through….

      Sent from my iPhone

  13. I’m so very happy to have found you! Two years ago I purchased “A Whale Tail”. It is my most favorite piece of art in my entire house. I have just now figured out that you are the artist and the name of the piece by breaking down and ripping off the backing of the frame. I was wondering if there was a story behind the painting. I took a picture and can email it to you if you need a refresher. I can be reached at allisoncalderjames@gmail.com

    Thank you so very much we enjoy it every single day in our dining room!

    Allison

  14. Ms. Loshbaugh,

    I grew up with a painting of yours. It must have been late 70s or 1980 at the latest entitled “Winds of Spring”. I’ve loved this piece all my life for a lot of reasons. I spent a long time searching online for your signature, until finally, after many many years, I peeked behind the back and saw your name and the title of the painting. I wonder if you have any recollections of this painting? I’d be happy to send you a photo of it. It’s traveled with me across the country and back. I guess I’m just curious to hear anything about it. Regardless, thank you for creating such a wonderful piece. I feel like it’s a member of my family.

  15. Gee, I can’t remember that painting, do you by any chance have a photo of it? Or could you tell me the date on the back?
    Anyhow, I’m really glad to hear that you have one that pleases you, thanks for letting me know!

  16. Hi Lynne,
    You and I were in a small show together at Marguerite Mitchell’s house years ago in St. Louis. You lived there then, off Mason Rd., where I grew up. I bought a painting of yours from the show, “Mother Mother”, which has been hanging in my house ever since. I love it, my kids love it and my grandkids as well. I was just thinking about you, and wondering how you are. I knew you had moved to Santa Fe.
    I am still making clay, teaching a lot, never thinking of retirement (!?), and learning new methods of firing my work. If you visit my website, the newest work is in the section called “Terra Sigillata.”
    I hope you are well and good.
    Bob Smith

  17. I have a notecard from the American College of Nurse Midwives. The image on the front of the notecard is a woman with arms outstretched overhead. A sphere or moon with a baby inside is right above her arms. On the back of the norecard is printed, “Moon Mother” “Local Artist: Lynne Loshbaugh. Hahn-Ross Gallery Sante Fe, New Mexico 2005
    American College of Nurse Midwives…..

    Any chance that these notecards are availbe for purchase?

  18. Thank you for this kind, eloquent, and patient description of following your will as a maker of these beautiful images in pigments and words. It is reported, at her Inquisition, Joan of Arc was told by her inquisitor, “You say God speaks to you, but it’s only your imagination.” Joan of Arc reportedly replied (undoubtedly, no easy situation in which to find one’s words), “How else would God speak to me, if not through my imagination?” You are fortunate to have found a clear and beautiful voice as an artist. – The Healing Garden gardener

  19. I have LOVED your work since I 1st saw it at an art fair in Skokie/Evanston Illinois! I have 1 painting in my living room & every card you’ve ever sent plus a long ago used up box of your stationery/cards (please make more!!!). I would adore a calendar or a print (can’t afford the originals – but still crave them). I just can’t figure out how to access anything you may have for sale. Everything you do makes me so happy..

  20. I was gifted one of your paintings, “The Tree” from 1999. I love this picture for many reasons, I wondered if you recall what your thoughts were while painting this as everyone who sees it has a different opinion to it’s meaning.

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