Meet Linnea Bast | Artist & Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Linnea Bast and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Linnea, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I’m inspired by nature! I love looking at patterns and details in nature and trying to bring them into my work. I find it very relaxing and inspiring. After all, nature is the best artist!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a Delray Beach and Brooklyn based biophilic design studio creating custom preserved lichen installations and living vertical gardens. Working at the intersection of art and ecology, my deep experience in fine art and design allows me to craft elegant installations custom suited to any space.

I’m just excited to get up and go to my studio everyday. This has been a lifelong dream of mine and I’m just thrilled that I’m finally able to do what I love. Without the pandemic I don’t think I would have had the confidence to leave my 9-5 job and try to be a full-time artist. I had a very stable traditional job for my first five years out of college, so this was a big leap.

It’s not easy, but it is rewarding!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m mostly based in New York, but I feel like people tend to know what they want to do in New York so I’ll talk about where I spend the rest of my time in Delray Beach Fl! It’s a little slice of sunshine and constantly changing. When friends come to town I take them to Atlantic avenue and we enjoy coffee at Deke’s (the nut milk they make is amazing), some time at the beach, a stroll through the art galleries, sushi at Yama, and dinner at Dada, If you’re around for a Saturday, the farmer’s market is so cute! I also like to take people to the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens – it’s just stunning and so fun if you like flowers and horticulture! If you want another adventure, antique row in West Palm Beach is always a thrill.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would say my teachers. Especially my art teacher in high school – Mr. Love, my college art professors, and my horticulture professors. Our teachers help shape who we are, and it’s impossible to thank them enough. They never get enough credit, but their work doesn’t go unnoticed!

Website: https://www.linneabotanicals.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linneabotanicals/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/linnea-botanicals

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linneabotanicals/

Image Credits
(headshot image) Nick Mele