Watercolor Exhibit at Rookery Bay Learning Center

by Linda Soderquist

Osprey Perch

A colorful exhibit of island-themed watercolors by artist Linda Soderquist will be on display in the gallery at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center from
June through September.

Soderquist’s “Wonders of the Beach and Bay” exhibit of tropical watercolor paintings features landscapes, seascapes, wildlife portraits, coral reef scenes, and mangrove habitats.

A resident of Little Gasparilla Island, just south of Sarasota, Soderquist is a primary permit holder with Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission for all sea turtle data collection, education, and strandings on Little Gasparilla Island. She also volunteers year round as a shorebird monitor.

“Learning about local birds, and their nesting and feeding habits, gives me hours of observation and photo opportunities that directly affect my painting subjects,” says Soderquist, who has also been a part of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s water quality monitoring network in the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserve for more than ten years.

Her education includes a B.A. in Fine Art and Elementary Education from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Master’s degree in mathematics from the University of South Florida. She spent many years teaching elementary students, authoring curriculum materials, and leading teacher workshops. Upon retirement in 2010, she began to focus her attention on art and a painting career.

More information about Linda and her artwork can be found at www.lindasislandart.com.