We had the good fortune of connecting with Lina Rincon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lina, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I look at risks as a part of life. Everything that you do in life involves some level of risk either physically or emotionally. Therefore, we shouldn’t fear risk, but we should respect it. Some are so minor that we don’t even think about them and we shouldn’t. It’s the ones that can have an effect on others or a severe effect on ourselves that we need to contemplate. Every part of my life and career has been full of risk. I left my country of Colombia with my then husband and young daughter to come the US to have a better life. Although we had a few relatives here, we left behind everything and had to start over basically. This was a big risk for us. In my art I have always taken risks. And now I’m taking the biggest risk and opening my very own gallery in Sarasota Florida!!  Although I have always created art as much as I could, I had never given up the security of a “regular” job to pursue it professionally. A few years ago after making what wasn’t a good career move, I decided to take a chance on myself and just do art. I started teaching art and creating it regularly. It’s a risk I am glad that I took.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art has gone through a few transitions through the last few years. I experimented with styles and subject matter. I finally a style that felt like me. For a while I have been painting horses. It was off and on for a while but now they are my primary subject. I love to paint horses because they are a noble animal that, to me, represents freedom and power. Creative fulfillment is what drives me. I am known to find creative solutions to daily challenges, thus creating daily joys. My goal is to learn something new each day while painting whether it be subject matter, style or even just colors. My career hasn’t been easy. In fact, the opposite. I have been through a lot in my life from leaving my home of Colombia and moving to the US, to cancer, financial struggle, a house fire and then a move back to Florida. However, each of these things were simply struggles that made me stronger and even angry to the point where I had the courage to move forward. The number one lesson that I can share is after losing almost all my material things, I am never going to lose my strength and I will continue fighting. Nothing will ever take away my knowledge of and passion for art.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is a little difficult because I have just recently moved back to Florida after 9 years in Texas so things have changed. I’d love to have people visit me though because there is so much to see. First would probably be St.Pete and its 7 art districts. There is such a diversity of art and cultures. Also the Dali Museum and the Chihuly exhibition. You can’t visit the area without seeing the beaches of course so that’s a must. The sunsets sipping on cocktails and enjoying the views is unique and something we shouldn’t take for granted. Like St. Pete, I would take them to Sarasota to see all of the art there. They have a rich history and passion for art there. Since we are there then the Ringling Museum is a must see. Then I think before they leave it would be the downtown areas of Tampa for the night life.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to give thanks and credit to not only the amazing community in Frisco, Tx but also the organization that I was President of. The Visual Arts Guild of Frisco or VAGF for short is a 501c(3) that supports local artist with professional and emerging in the North Texas area. My heart will always be with them. It was there that I began to grow as an artist and a patrons, they were there very step of the way. There are a lot of friends that I wish I could recognize for their huge support and the amazing support in our community. Leticia Herrera not only is she my friend but she is my support, my mentor, and my partner in crime. She is an amazing artist as well. Tammy Sah Meinershagen, she is the master mind in supporting and advocating for the Art in Frisco. Lucy Tolkunova for being the person I can count on no matter what. An amazing artist as well I give thanks to those 3 phenomenal women in my life. I couldn’t thank them enough

Website: linarinconart.com
Instagram: @artitudeartist
Facebook: artitude

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.