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Lynette Schmidt (aka Lynette Yencho)
Artist and illustrator Lynette Schmidt has more than 30 years of experience in sculpture, painting, costume design, and book illustration. As owner and
president of her own Garden Studio, Lynette takes her inspiration in the essence of nature - the hues and textures of her own lush garden and the
flora and fauna along Minnesota's North Shore, where she lived from 1983-1993. Now resident in Saint Paul, Lynette continues to work as a sculptor,
painter and children's book illustrator. Living with husband Michael, a photography instructor, Tinker the Macaw, Hamish the Scottish terrier, and three cats, Naji, Newton, and Alice.
Born in Britton, South Dakota in 1952 her family moved to southern Minnesota where traditional drawing was stressed by teachers from a very young age
through to high school. This small town had no shortage of good illustrators or opportunities to learn from them. And often she would take night classes
at the local library, and also feels very fortunate to have the instructors she did in school. But the first teacher was her brother, two years her senior.
They would sit down together on those cold Minnesota days and draw from a book that showed how to break down a subject into shapes.
He was so much better than I and could have been a great artist, but he was too much a perfectionist! (He is now a cartographer.)
Her professional career started when still in high school as a part time staff artist at Josten's, where they make class rings, books, and diplomas.
After a few years of school, and a move to Minneapolis/St Paul, she landed an Art Director position at Llewellyn Publications, and soon after became a
feature illustrator at the Minneapolis Star and Tribune. Just when things were seeming to be falling into place, the Star folded in 1982 and merged with
the Tribune.
Lynette took this opportunity to start a freelance business she calls Garden Studio. The intention was to freelance for periodicals and book publishers,
but quite by accident, met some people in the gift ware design business. This was perfect as a support while she pursued her love of painting. It was
also here that one of her designs was sold by a representative to a company who was interested in an artist who could sculpt. As it was, Lynette did not,
but learned she could, bought some clay and tried it and all were happy with the results, and a new love was born.
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