Linda McCray, Artist, Spiritual Director and Adjunct Art Professor

ARTIST STATEMENT

BIOGRAPHY

CURRICULUM VITAE

“Linda McCray steps into the breach that exists between contemporary art and the faith community with her paintings. While contemporary art is noted for its decidedly secular bent and its often angst-full content, traditional religious art can be described as overly sentimental, romantic, or anachronistic. Motivated by the pursuit of spiritual meaning and enlightenment in her work, McCray uses light, color, and texture in her powerful, abstract compositions to create emotionally charged images which afford the faithful instruction, the seeker time for reflection, and the pilgrim a place of refuge.”

H. Rafael Chacón, Ph.D.

Professor of Art History and Criticism

The University of Montana

Linda McCray
Visual Artist

ARTIST STATEMENT

I translate universal spiritual truths into abstract paintings that speak to others, regardless of their traditions.

To form visible signs of invisible grace, I use abstraction which—so powerfully through light, color, and texture—speaks directly to the heart.

I layer my paintings with symbolism. To create symbolism, I use abstract elements, certain materials, and selected painting methods. For example, the abstract element and universal symbol of light underlie all of my paintings. I image my Creator as Light. To capture feelings of the warmth and peace of the Divine Presence, I use a number of techniques including the old masters’ use of glazes to capture luminosity. I integrate found objects that abound with symbolism, such as sand from the River Jordan, ashes and palms. The torn-like edges symbolize that we are a part of something much greater—our collective Creator. I create with acrylic paint on wood panel.

BIOGRAPHY

Linda McCray, MFA, is a visual artist that lives and creates in Clancy, Montana.

Her paintings are in a number of public and private collections. Private collectors and organizations have commissioned McCray to create paintings that speak of their mission. She has had many solo exhibitions. Her paintings have been included in numerous international, national and regional invitational and juried exhibitions in the US and England. McCray’s paintings have been showcased on calendars; book covers and inside pages; and magazine covers and articles; published in Belgium, Germany, Canada and the US.

She was an adjunct professor of art from 2002 to 2016 teaching for Loyola University Chicago, The University of Mary, Helena College: The University of Montana, Carroll College and The University of Montana-Missoula. She has lectured at art museums, universities, and conferences on contemporary spiritual art and art as mediation. Her articles have been published in national magazines by numerous publishers. She creates The Liturgical Artists Directory.

Linda is a member of Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA) and a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth Associate (SCLA). She graduated from The University of Montana Department of Art with a Master of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing (MFA) and cum laude from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts (BA). Her sacred scholarship includes graduating from the Benet Hill Monastery Benedictine Spiritual Formation Program as a Certified Spiritual Director (CSD) and the Diocese of Helena Program for Lay Ministers (PFLM), a 12 credit Pastoral Ministry course through Carroll College.

CURRICULUM VITAE

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