“Wait on or create your own platform” is one thing artist Linda Simien Kellywanted to leave the ICW audience with. We have a choice as to what we do with our lives. We can wait on others to decide for us or like Linda, we can plan our path, and make it happen for ourselves. Check out this week’s episode for more. If in Houston, check out Linda’s pieces at Max’s Wine Driveon Washington. About Artist Linda Simien Kelly The Louisiana native is a proud Bachelor Science in Accounting graduate of Southern University, A & M in Baton Rouge and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She has over 20 years of accounting experience in the oil and gas industry. Linda Simien Kelly also is a primarily self-taught, abstract expressionist artist who has been pursuing her craft on a full-time basis for over a decade. Black identity, cultural solidarity and ethnic perception have been important themes in her work. The artist lives in Houston with her husband and is the mother of three sons. Her considerable professional accolades include first-prize honors in the Museum of Fine Arts Houston’s 17th Annual Citywide African American Artists Exhibition at the Glassell School of Art and recognition as a prize winning artist at the Lawndale Art Center’s “The Big Show” annual juried exhibition. Her work has been featured in Citywide Artists Juried Exhibitions at the University Museum at Texas Southern University, The Community Artists’ Collective Gallery, Project Row Houses, The Assistance League of Houston Artists Exhibition at Williams Tower Gallery, The Art on The Avenue Juried Exhibition, the Archway Gallery, the Gallery Jatad and the “M” Gallery. Artist Profile: For over decade, Linda Simien Kelly has been an advocate for Sickle Cell Disease and Trait using her artworks as the platform to help bring awareness of the disease and trait. The annual event was held at the Ensemble Theatre. Exhibits: The MFAH's ''Citywide African American Artists - Exhibition' held at the Community Artists Collective, Museum of TSU & MFAH Glassell. First Place Winner of the 17th MFAH Citywide African American Artists Exhibition. Lawndale Statewide “The Big Show” Artists Exhibition - First Place Winner 2015. Participant of six (6) MFAH's ''Citywide African American Artists - Exhibitions'. Women's Work, Mind, Body and Spirit Exhibit, Community Artists' Collective Archway Gallery Ninth Annual Juried Exhibition Art On The Avenue Annual Juried Exhibition Collectors Club Exhibits, Project Row Houses Creative Women United Annual Citywide Exhibitions Annual Art League Citywide Exhibit, Williams Tower Gallery Hurricane Harvey Artist Exhibit, Community Artists' Collective Gallery Artist Exhibit Jatad Gallery Artist Exhibit M Gallery in the Heights Annual Artist of the Month Exhibit, The Breakfast Klub Exhibiting Artist Exhibition, Lucille’s Restaurant Exhibiting Artist Exhibition, Bohemeo’s Cafe Exhibiting Artist Exhibition, Urban Eat’s Exhibiting Artist Exhibition, Max’s Wine Dive Ways to Connect Call or Text (713) 417-8261 of Email: lindasimienkelly@icloud.com Instagram: lindakelly6116 and Twitter: lindasimienkelly@gmail.com WATCH + LISTEN + SUBSCRIBE + SHARE Let’s #Soar and #ElevateWOCVoices #IntimateConversationWOC