Today we’d like to introduce you to Linnea Bast.
Hi Linnea, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I’m a Delray Beach and Brooklyn-based biophilic artist designing custom-preserved lichen installations. I hold a BFA from the University of Michigan and in 2020 I went back to school for horticulture. In between graduating from undergrad and my horticulture training, I worked a corporate job as a design consultant for IBM.
Linnea Botanicals is my way of bringing my passion and knowledge for fine art and horticulture together. It’s been a dream of mine to be an artist full-time and I’m thrilled to share my work with you!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It took me many years to figure out what I wanted to do in the art world. I spent a lot of time reflecting, going through old sketchbooks, my portfolio, etc. It was really hard to step away from the consistency of a corporate job to try and make a living as an artist, even though I went to art school. The hard part for me about being a one-woman-show artist isn’t’ the making of the art, but being good at all the other business-related skills like marketing, finance, proposal writing, etc.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in biophilic design – which is essentially bringing the natural world into our modern built environment. I use natural materials in my work and strive to connect people to nature with my work. I am mostly known for my lichen installations which look like living green walls, but they are actually made out of preserved natural material which makes them a no-maintenance installation.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I think we’ve already started to see a huge shift in biophilic design, there are even green building certifications now that include biophilic design! As we spend more time inside, it’s getting more vital for people to be surrounded by greenery.
Just look at how many people bought houseplants during the pandemic. Plants and natural materials make us feel better and more relaxed, it’s really important. I really do expect there to be more businesses and individuals investing in biophilic design.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.linneabotanicals.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linneabotanicals/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/linnea-botanicals
Image Credits
Jacopo Fantastichini
