Linda Beierle Bullen
“Chicago is the touchstone for me of childhood sights, sound and smells, of adolescent experiences and of adult transformations. From fishing in the dark with my parents on Montrose pier, to sitting in the stacks at the grand Chicago Public Library, to discovering myself at the dusty, hidden, original School of the Art Institute, Chicago is the city that created me.”
Scraps of heavy wool, wool felt, natural and decorative elements
Historic forms of Penny Rugs, nature and natural forms, ethnic and tribal art
The Pullman community, in particular Pullman Artists and Friends, and family
I was born and raised in Chicago and attended the School of the Art Institute for my BFA (1970) and my MFA (1995). Today I am a fabric artist, morris dancer, and Curator at the Pullman State Historic Site. For many years I was absorbed with dancing, playing music and raising my two wonderful children; now I find my creative energies are leading me back to my first love, needle and thread. Sewing, knitting, crocheting, and beading from a very early age, I have always created textile objects, both hand and machine made.
Since 2008 my art form has been the folk tradition of penny rugs. I continue to explore new formats and directions with shape, texture, and embellishment. Most recently I have begun exploring the world of metalworking with the intent to create my own embellishments. We have recently completed a new dedicated studio space for my work in our home so I look forward to less time curating and more time artmaking!
