Passages

SUZANNE CHESSLER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

In an exhibit opening next month in
Florida, West Bloomfield's Linda Zalla
interprets her personal journeys through art.

Above: Linda Zalla: My
Passages, acrylic
collage painting.

PHOTO BY DANIEL LIPPITT

Right: Linda Zalla: The
West Bloomfield artist
will have a show in
Florida.

inda Zalla thinks ofjour-
neys in two ways — ex-
plorations of distant lands
and explorations of very
personal feelings. She ex-
presses her outlook to-
ward both artistically.
Zalla's latest collection,
"Passages," uses large, col-
orful, abstract images in
relief to convey the impact of some of those
journeys. "Jerusalem Passages," for ex-
ample, recalls a trip to Israel. "My Pas-
sages" communicates the emotions of inner
excursions.
All 15 pieces in the artist's newest group
will be on display Jan. 3-24 at the Gracie
Lawrence Gallery in Defray Beach, Fla.
"My paintings reveal new passages that
opened out of adversity, giving me a chance
for self-growth and change," said Zalla, 55,
who turned away from the small, realistic,
watercolor renderings that dominated the
first 20 years of her career.
"I had some medical problems, started
reflecting on my life and decided I was not
taking enough risks with my art. I want-
ed to have a stronger vision because my
ideas and scope were getting larger.
"I felt I could have more impact by us-
ing a larger vehicle than the my usual 22
x 36-inch traditional watercolor paper and
moved on to canvas. The newer pieces are
6 feet tall."
Zalla also believed abstract images
would offer larger vistas, more universal
themes and additional opportunities for
viewers to find their own personal mean-
ings.
.
"I've always liked water media because
I thought the fluidity would convey more
of my emotions and feelings," said Zalla,
whose works hang in private collections as
well as corporate offices, hotels and hospi-
tals.
"I chose to move on to water media col-
lage because of the layering and texturing
opportunities. The process of building pa-
pers and textures to create shapes and
forms was analogous to exploring the mul-
tiple layers of my life.
"I devised a formula so these newer
pieces actually come out about a half inch
from the canvas. The technique creates an
interplay of light so when viewers are
standing in front of them, they can see door-
ways and passageways."
Zalla's talents were noticed early by her
piano teacher, who looked through the

sketchbook the 5-year-old always kept with
her. That teacher recommended art stud-
ies instead of music lessons.
"When I was in the second grade, I start-
ed with a Detroit Institute of Arts program
for gifted children, and by the time I was
in Mumford High School, I knew that art
was going to be my work," said Zalla, who
has taught in the Detroit and Livonia pub-
lic schools as well as at the Jewish Com-
munity Center.
"When I went to Wayne State Univer-
sity, I got a fine arts degree and a teaching
certificate. I'm still teaching but as a vol-
unteer," said Zalla.
She set up an art instruction program
for JARC (Jewish Association for Resi-
dential Care) and has been going into the
organization's homes for nine years. She
came up with the program after watch-
ing a film that described JARC activities.
"I teach watercolor painting to the res-
idents, and I love it," Zalla explained.
"Michigan has been very good to me as far
as supporting my work in galleries and
shows, so this is my way of giving back to
the community.
"Now I have art shows that feature the
work of JARC residents."
Zalla sought to expand her market after
she sought to expand the size of her pro-
jects. At the Robert Kidd Gallery in Birm-
ingham, where her paintings periodically
have been exhibited, it was suggested that
she also try to have shows out of state.
"I had been a local artist for so long that
I decided I wanted to get to the national
level," Zalla said. "I now have a Chicago
gallery that represents me. I had gone to
several galleries in Florida before hap-
pening on the one that will have my up-
coming exhibition.
"I liked the setting because I felt it was
in an area that was very art-oriented like
Birmingham and Royal Oak. It was a good
fit."
The artist, married to dentist Harvey
Zalla and the mother of a grown daughter
and son, works out of a home studio.
Through Congregation Shaarey Zedek, she
conducts art tours that showcase collec-
tions in others' homes.
"I'm on the synagogue's arts commission,
and I plan talks about the art and Judaica
displayed in each house that is visited," Za-
lla said. "I think the tie-in to my back-
ground is great." ❑