Obituary of Lynn K. Maderich

 

Maderich, Lynn K.

 

Age 72 of St. Paul

 

Passed away peacefully on Aug. 19, 2020. 

 

Lynn Maderich was an artist her entire life – from the time she could first hold a crayon until she finished her last portrait, Lynn was pursuing her art. Lynn was born in Minneapolis to Donald and Lois Hursh Maderich and grew up in Hastings, MN. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother Donald. She is survived by dear friends, a host of grateful students and her sister Cheryl Monsour (Dave) of Hastings and Cheryl’s family. 

 

Growing up in rural Hastings, Lynn had the unique pleasure of having her own horse, Thunder. She had fallen in love with horses as a little girl, and continued to draw, sculpt, paint and love them throughout her life. Lynn also enjoyed a special relationship with the family’s dog, Rip.  In fact, she had a special way with all animals and was lovingly known as “the horse whisperer.”

 

As a younger artist, Lynn worked extensively in pastels, pen and ink and bronze, although she longed to master painting in oils. Lynn found her spiritual and professional home at the Atelier Studio Program of Fine Art in Minneapolis, in the teaching of the academic skills of the Old Masters combined with the sensitivity to color and light of the Impressionists. This advanced training allowed Lynn to take her work to a whole new level. Lynn’s portrait work, encompassing horses and dogs as well as people, is especially engaging.  Some of her favorite paintings were those where she could depict the horse and person together.

 

An award-winning master painter, Lynn’s work has been recognized for its fine draftsmanship, rich color, atmospheric depth and luminosity. The works that she created live on to inspire and amaze us at her ability to capture and transform her chosen subjects into images that were truly visionary; images that transport us to a place of her choosing. Her ability to capture light and combine the elements of the story, and a superior vision of composition, all come together to bring her paintings to life. A sampling of her work is available on her website – www.LynnMaderich.com.

 

Honors include serving as the cover artist for “Horses in Art” magazine and “Artist of the Month” on The Artists’ Magazine web site. She has received multiple awards in juried competitions such as those sponsored by The Artist’s Magazine, Wind River Artists’ Guild, The American Artists’ Professional League, Art Renewal Center’s Annual Salon and The American Academy of Equine Art (AAEA) and was included in several invitational shows. Lynn was a Signature Member of the AAEA and an Associate Member of the Society of Animal Artists.

 

Lynn was a gifted teacher; she taught painting at the Atelier in both the full and part-time programs as well as giving equine painting workshops across the country. She loved being able to share the gift of the classical training that so influenced her own work.

 

As a commercial artist, Lynn’s relationship with Department 56 spanned more than 20 years, where she designed a vast array of miniature figurines, inspired by her historical research and her delightful ability to “tell a story” in the figures she developed for their Villages. Department 56 has honored Lynn with a figure – “Sunday in the Park with Lynn” depicting her at her easel.   She also did art direction for Pillsbury and package and ad design for Golden Valley Microwave Foods. 

 

Lynn was an award-winning knitter perennially taking home Blue Ribbons at the Minnesota State Fair for her intricate and striking sweaters, which she wore with great style. She was also an accomplished seamstress, creating her own elegant outfits and winning Blue Ribbon recognition at the Fair.

 

Lynn’s artistry also extended to the stage. A skillful actress, Lynn delighted audiences and critics alike in community theater productions with Center Showcase, Theatre 1900 and Role Over Productions. 

 

Lynn had a lively and inquiring mind. She actively educated herself in the sciences and current events. A member of the Weston A. Price Foundation, Lynn was enthusiastically supportive of the alternative food movement and believed in the value of unpasteurized milk and nutrient dense food.   Particularly passionate about politics, Lynn campaigned for and supported the politicians with whom she agreed with a special appreciation for women in public office.

 

Lynn loved to laugh and had a wicked sense of humor.  She always had the perfect witty retort.  Her sense of humor and delightful sense of fun spilled over from the spoken word,  sometimes presenting itself in a unique perspective in her drawings. 

 

Lynn was so generous in sharing her talent. From developing illustrations and logos for organizations she supported to creating theatrical sets to her beautiful calligraphy to cartoon-style portraits of family to the program covers for her friend’s dancing school to her suburb baking and fudge-making skills to teaching the fine art of brewing kombucha, Lynn enhanced the lives of her friends in a million ways. 

 

Lynn’s dedication to the Atelier and her appreciation for what its teaching meant to her as an artist led her to make a major contribution to the school to create a scholarship fund. These scholarships will assist women artists who are overcoming adversity. 

 

A Celebration of Lynn’s Life will be held on Sept. 25, 6pm to 9 pm at the Atelier, 1621 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis. Memorials preferred to the Lynn Maderich Scholarship fund at the Atelier.