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Heartfelt by Design
Self taught artist, sculptor, product designer and conservationist, Lynn Chase developed a love for animals and sketching as a very young child on Long Island, New York. She grew up with Golden Retrievers her mother bred, as well as, the small animals she rescued herself. She has had no artistic training and is able to draw, paint and sculpt.
Wanting to broaden the reach of her artwork, Lynn believed porcelain tablesettings and accessories would be a wonderful new "canvas" for her detailed and vibrant paintings. In 1988 she formed Lynn Chase Designs (LCD). Jaguar Jungle one of Lynn's earliest and, perhaps, most iconic design remains in the collection and was honored with the International Tabletop Committee's Best Design and Impact Award in 1991. She has created over two dozen porcelain dinnerware collections and a wide assortment of giftware. She has also designed furniture, decorative accessories that include pillows, bedding, bath products, scarves and neckwear. Keenly aware that her beloved wildlife were very much in need, in 1988 Lynn concurrently founded the Lynn Chase Wildlife Foundation (LCWF). A 501 (c) (3) public charity. LCWF's mission is to stem the habitat loss in areas of dense biodiversity around the world. LCWF has funded over 110 projects aiding important conservation concerns worldwide. This funding includes helping to conserve charismatic species from the spotted dolphins, sea turtles, harpy eagle to the jaguar, thereby saving their habitat and a host of other species down the food chain. A percentage of pretax profits from the sale of Lynn Chase products is generously donated to LCWF. In addition to her service as chairperson of LCWF, Lynn serves on the board of the Amboseli Trust for Elephants in Kenya, is active in the Wildlife Conservation Society and was the first to be honored by the Audubon Society's Women in Conservation Program with the prestigious Rachel Carson Award. Lynn continues to live and design in New York City. She looks forward to spending weekends with her husband on their farm in the Berkshires. True to form she has rescued 4 greyhounds, 3 quarter horses and 2 Jack Russells.
Interview with Lynn Chase
Have you ever been on Safari? Not only have I been on 7 safaris, I've traveled extensively all throughout Africa in countries which include South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Congo and others. I lived in South Africa from 1969-1973. What was your first drawing? My first drawing was of a leopard when I was five. My mother thought it was a spotted dog. When did you first start to draw? I started to draw at five...no training. What is the Lynn Chase Wildlife Foundation? The Lynn Chase Wildlife Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to stemming habitat loss in areas of dense biodiversity around the world. Who are your role models? As I grew up I painted with my great grandmother. My grandmother was an ornithologist who gave me an appreciation for the outdoors and birds. What is your favorite animal? My favorite animal would be any cat. I was never allowed to have cats, because my mother raised Golden Retrievers and the two didn't mix. Do you have any animals? If so, their names? I have 4 cats: Toucan, Rabbit, Kudu &; Chutney; three horses: Benson, Cowboy & Eagle; five dogs: Bandit, Cheetah, Lilly, Chloe & Badger; 25 Koi Fish; lots of birds: including a visiting couple of Sandhill Cranes who just had a baby. Favorite memory about designing tableware? My uncle had an incredible collection of Sevrés 18th century French china. It was from that china that I got my inspiration. My designs evolved from there... What other items do you design? In addition to porcelain and ceramic tableware and related giftware and serveware, I have designed furniture and lamps and have had my designs printed on decorative fabric. My wildlife inspired designs are suitable for a wide range of ancillary products.What inspires you? My love of wild life of all kind. As I grew up, I didn't have any because I had Golden Retriever puppies, baby rabbits, lizards, hamsters and pigeons in my room. In short I grew up with animals that my parents never knew of and I took care of them all until they became too big. How many drawing / paintings have you done? I have completed about 100 oil paintings and about 50 sketches. I also write the Lynn Chase Wildlife Foundation's Newsletter, so there are countless sketches in them. If you could collaborate with one person, or organization, who would it be? There are so may people I admire in conservation, it would be impossible for me to single out just one person or organization |
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In the 1970's and early 80's she traveled to Africa, South America and across the United States. During these decades, Lynn's wildlife paintings were exhibited at a dozen one man shows and 10 group exhibitions across America and Europe.