Artist Bio

Linda Shantz                Campbellville, Ontario

Her story is not a unique one among equine artists. Linda's love of horses was evident from the moment she could point and say, 'horsie', and it is a passion she has never outgrown.

Upon graduating from high school, Linda put a post-secondary degree on hold to work in the Thoroughbred racing industry, based at Woodbine Racecourse in Toronto, Ontario. The introduction of a Border Collie, Maggie, to her life led to the development a professional dog training business and the pursuit and completion of two Canadian Obedience Champion titles – one with OTCh Maggie, and a second with her Brittany Spaniel, Zen (Canada's top Britt in Obedience in '95 and '96). The horses soon beckoned again, and when a life-long dream of having her own barn became reality, Linda started a small hands-on layup facility. The intimate bond she has developed with animals allows her to not only capture accurate anatomy of her subjects, but their spirit as well. A long list of satisfied clients will attest to this exceptional ability.

Linda's work has been shown at venues Internationally, and recently had the honour of exhibiting in and attending the first ever Dubai World Cup Art Auction and Exhibition in Dubai, UAE. One of eleven International artists, and the only Canadian, Linda's paintings were included in a commemorative Limited Edition book to mark the occasion.

Her work and an article on the Dubai experience was featured in the 2007 Canadian Thoroughbred Queen's Plate Souvenir Magazine. She has also been featured on the cover of The Chronicle of the Horse and The Shepherd's Dogge, and has won a number of awards for her work at juried exhibitions and competitions across the continent.

Surrounded by constant inspiration on her farm in Campbellville, Ontario, Linda's time is divided between commissioned portraits, the creation of new original artwork, exhibit and gallery commitments, and the care and observation of the various horses and dogs – and a temperamental barn cat – that share her life.