Linda Stevens is recognized for her reverential paintings of Hawaiian themes. Most of her paintings are inspired by her love of Hawaiian myths, legends, and of the land itself. In 2003, her “Pele” was honored as one of the top three finalists chosen from over 140 paintings entered in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park’s competition for a painting of the volcano goddess.

After college, Linda took a cross-country trip from the East Coast. She moved to Hawai‘i in 1972, settling in the Puna District. For many years, Linda was a well-known doll maker, regularly appearing in Pacific Handcrafters and Hawaii Craftsmen shows. She researched her subjects, designed and sewed the costumes as well as the bodies, sculpted the heads and hand-painted each one. Among her more important dolls were meticulous representations of King Kalakaua, Princess Kaiulani and Queen Lili‘uokalani, all now in private collections. In researching for her artist doll of king David Kalakaua she was drawn to his book “The Legends and Myths of Hawaii”. The book inspired her to capture the images in the stories she read about Although her paintings feature the human form, she doesn’t use models or photographs.

Linda also loves Christmas and each year produces new ornaments that she offers at Volcano Art Center Gallery as well as Nelson Makua’s Christmas fair. 

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