Portraits by artist Linda Salter exhibited at Portola Art Gallery in April

“Friends and Family,” a collection of oil and pastel portraits of people and animals by artist Linda Salter, is on display at the Portola Art Gallery in Menlo Park during the month of April. A reception for the artist will be held on Saturday, April 13, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

During her years as an executive in community colleges, Linda carved out time to paint portraits. Now devoting herself full time to painting, she still considers portraits her first love.

“I enjoy painting a variety of subjects from plein air landscapes to classical still lifes, but portraiture remains my favorite,” she says. “I love the challenge of capturing the essence of the person sitting with me.”

Linda works primarily in pastels and oils, and she has exhibited and received awards at community and college art shows. She has also exhibited solo at Avenue 25 Gallery in San Mateo and Esalen Institute in Big Sur.

She spent more than three decades as an instructor and administrator in California colleges, serving as president of Skyline College in San Bruno and chancellor of West Valley-Mission Community College District in Santa Clara County. Since retiring as chancellor more than a decade ago, Linda has studied with a number of local and visiting artists. More information about her artwork is available online.

The Portola Art Gallery is located at the Allied Arts Guild on Arbor Rd. in Menlo Park.

Self-Portrait (painting at top) and Yesterday’s Poem are both part of the exhibit.