Did her first oil painting at the age of 15; majored in art in high school and has had her art work displayed at art shows.  Her love of painting has been an integral part of her life to this day.

          She has also been involved in the art of throwing pots, and is skilled in the firing and glazing process as well.  Linda actually gave demonstrations at art shows.

           She has studied under artist and expert teacher, Lou Panagini, who is a well-known New Jersey artist and has been her mentor, and several other artists, perfecting her skills with oils, acrylics, pastels, charcoal and other mediums.

            From the ages of 10-17, Linda took classes at a ceramic studio owned by a relative where she learned to cast greenware, fire it in a kiln, clean the pieces and help others with color, fine detail and repair work.

            As an adult, Linda continued her work in ceramics, working in a studio.  She gave ceramic classes and helped students with color, finishes, and detail.  She has done an extensive amount of repair work, expertly matching the colors when repainting restored pieces.

           She first learned of Sebastians through her husband, Jim Garrabrandt, an avid collector and certified appraiser of the figurines.  After winning the “paint your own” contest at the Midwest Fair, Linda began restoring and painting figurines. She has spent quality time with Woody and Margery Baston to refine her skills as a restorer and painter. Linda has done extensive repair work and painting of Sebastians to date. 

          Today, Linda and Jim work as a team doing restoration work and appraisals of Sebastian Miniatures through their association: Sebastian Restoration and Appraisal Services.

     Additional Information:  Linda is an expert seamstress, and has done many other kinds of crafts for shows.  She is a professional chef and baker, working in a family catering business for 22 years. She enjoys giving Victorian Tea Parties and now owns a business called A Cup of Serenity.  She hopes to open a Tea Room within the next few years.  Linda is currently employed in the pharmaceutical field as a Program Director in a Medical Education Company, working with top physicians who are pioneers in the fields of cardiology, endocrinology and oncology.