Lynn Wachtel is a self-taught artist. Her first set of paints and brushes sat idle in her closet for over 25 years. After receiving a French easel for Christmas a number of years ago, she began painting as if she had done it all her life. While her paintings are reminiscent of the work of Grandma Moses and Michel Delacroix, her great love of color and attention to detail reflect a style all her own. She starts each painting with a central place in mind and creates a story around the everyday life of her characters whether in the city or the country. Many of the characters are people she's seen or met while traveling.

"My inspiration comes from the well-known French artist, Michel Delacroix," says Lynn. His work has helped me recognize how the stories in my mind could be transformed into a work of art." Working in oils can be more time-intensive, but she says "You must have a connection to the medium you work with, and it then works with you."

“When all the elements come together in a painting,” says Lynn. ”I feel I have accomplished my goal." Many of her characters are drawn from real life including the mysterious redheaded woman who appears in most of her paintings. You never know who you may find making an appearance in one of her paintings.

In recent years she has also started a line of Holiday cards and note cards which will be available for sale shortly.