About the Artist:
Ringling School of Art and Design graduate and Graphic artist Lin Huff uses her own unique experiences to interpret joy in her artwork. She is passionate about emphasizing intuitive style and bold color over realism. Though born and raised in the South, she has lived extensively in places like Japan and on the Big Island of Hawaii. These life experiences have greatly influenced her love of simplicity and color. Beyond art, Lin loves antiquing, gardening, prayer with friends, and walking near the lake! Her “art’s desire”; is for people to view her work and say, “Wow, I really like that”; and walk away smiling.
Notable Accomplishments
Internship Recipient of the The St. Petersburg Times Newspaper, St. Pete, FL.
Nelson Poynter Scholarship Winner from the Ringling School of Art and Design, St. Pete, FL.
ADDY Award for Regional National Art and Design Magazine, Sarasota, FL.
ADDY Award for Thomas Nelson Publishing Logo, Nashville, TN.
Recipient of The News & Observer Production and Support Person of the Year, Raleigh, NC.
3-time winner of the The Kona Coffee International Festival Artist Contest , Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
2-time winner of the People’s Choice Award for best Illustration, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
CCAL City Art Award 2023, Chapin, SC.
CCAL 2nd Place Amateur Art Award 2024, Chapin, SC.
SC Watermedia Society’s Plein Air 3rd Place Award 2024, Newberry, SC
Winner of the 2023 City of Columbia’s Mayor’s choice logo award
Education
Ringling School of Art and Design, Sarasota, Florida, BA in Graphic Design
About the Artwork:
Miss Millie Paints the Town
Before painting in acrylic, I usually start with a pencil sketch on paper. The rough sketch is subject to change though, as I really believe in allowing the design to transform as I go. I like the freedom of painting intuitively. Even “mistakes” become pathways to something new and different. I also enjoy filling a canvas (or in this case a turtle) with color with no space untouched. I enjoy adding themes or words that are important to me like love of country and God. I believe Chapin too has a great sense of community, love of country and an enduring “Love Thy Neighbor” tradition.
The name of this piece, “Miss Millie Paints the Town” was born out of research on the history of Chapin. Did you know Chapin’s founder, Martin Chapin moved to Dutch Fork from Cortland, New York? He came to this part of the country because of a lung ailment. His doctors advised he should head south to inhale the “pines for his health”. So, he moved here and began a successful lumber mill business and greatly invested in the land. I named my turtle, “Miss Millie”; in honor of his original mill.