My Story

I am an American-born, New York transplant, living and working in Austin, TX.

Even though it has been said that I was born an artist by close friends, and my early pursuits were always in the fine arts, I attended university to study architecture and urban planning. My time at university gave me a great love for design, regardless of the medium.

While I worked to establish a career in these fields, my heart wasn’t in it. My last ditch effort to bring meaning into an unfulfilling career was Feng Shui training. On the last day of the training, we were lead through a meditation that concluded with this question – what do you want to do? Without hesitation I wrote, “I want to paint”. The answer was shocking but not surprising. I decided then and there that I was going to become a professional artist. I also concluded that if I wanted to be a fine art painter, I should probably learn how to paint properly.

In 2001 and 2002, I attended three week long seminars with Philip Rubinov Jacobson and Michael Fuchs, in both Vienna, AU and Florence, IT. Under their tutelage, I studied the mische technique. A method that involves the layering of oil and tempera paints in a prescribed sequence. The result is magical optical effects and a vibrant luminosity. It is my variations on this technique that now define my distinctive artistic style.

From the early 2000s until the birth of my daughter in 2005, I was a part of the visionary art movement and had the great honor and privilege to exhibit in both the US and in Europe with an incredible group of talented artist, called the the visionary tribe. All of us connected in one way or another to Ernst Fuchs.

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While pursuing my artistic dreams, I faced profound challenges when my children were born with intense medical needs. This demanding period in my life led me to temporarily step away from my studio practice to focus on caring for them. In addition to managing their medical needs, I also homeschooled. This chapter of my life was marked by two extremes: the traumatizing medical experiences I had with my children, and the profound joy of teaching them, sharing my love of art with them, and making art together. The fabric arts, curriculum design, a countless numbers of drawings used for homeschooling, and unique art projects with my kids, were my artistic output during this period.

In 2019, I  returned to my personal art and my painting studio practice. My passion for painting is as steadfast as ever and my work stands as a testament to the dedication I have for my craft.

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In 2022, I proudly launched, LINDA CHIDO ART - a heartfelt expression of creativity and family heritage. A living archive of my family's deep-rooted passion for art, representing decades of dedicated practice and education. LINDA CHIDO ART showcases not only my artistic endeavors but also the incredible talents of my daughter, Mona Rae Chido Gross, and my husband, Ron Gross. In addition, the website is a learning hub to sharing my deep reservoir of art knowledge that I have nurtured over a lifetime.

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A firm believer in the power of art to enrich and transform lives, I also actively work to promote the value of art in my community. My teaching and volunteer work, includes providing art instruction to both children and adults with disabilities. This work is near and dear to my heart and it is also work I am very passionate about. I believe everyone deserves quality arts instruction. I have witnessed first-hand the transformative power of art, not only with my own children who have disabilities, but also with many of my students.

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With an unquenchable thirst for creative expression, I remain steadfast in sharing my paintings, my knowledge, and my experiences, with the hopes that in doing so, I will leave an indelible mark on the all of the people I have had the honor to share my work with.

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Linda is a representational painter and holds a Masters in Architecture and a Masters in Urban Planning from the University of Buffalo, NY, She and the Chido Gross Family reside and work just south of Austin, Texas, where they continue to create art together.