As a student at St. John’s College in Annapolis, Linnea Payne wanted to pursue a career in art with the goal of working with emerging artists. With a master’s degree in modern and contemporary art, she did just that, working at Christie's auction house with the David Rockefeller Collec­tion and then at Sotheby’s. In doing so, creative forces within her were reignited and led her back to Annapolis and her own studio where she now pursues her art fulltime — almost.

“I’ve always had a love for creation so, in working with these amazing works of art, I decided I should probably cre­ate art too,” says Payne. “I’ve been absolutely loving it. I’m a people and pet portrait artist, it’s kind of my bread and butter.”

Payne also saves a day each week to uncover the emerg­ing artist in parents of patients at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. As an artist in residence with the hospital’s Child Life Healing Arts program, each Tuesday she travels with her art cart room-to-room where she meets parents at their child’s bedside to pique their interest in a creative project. The goal?

“To engage them with meaningful art activities that some­times inspire them and distract them if only for a brief while, in a medium that can help them process what they are going through,” says Payne. “My main goal is for them to have fun.”

Payne’s translation of Mennonite folk art into large-scale works of glitter art is her passion, and often the realm in which parents find themselves. Bracelets, facemask lanyards, ornaments, inspirational picture frames and wooden tea lights are among the parents’ projects. Whatever the undertaking, explains Payne, it gives parents moments of focus and control in an environment where they may often feel little control.

“Sometimes the parent is feeling kind of low,” says Payne. “In the process of creating something they’re excited and, after finishing the project, they’re happy. The process helps redirect their focus.”

Payne, the self-described “Art Lady,” can relate to these parents in recalling her own childhood when she often vis­ited her sister in the hospital. She also spent time in Kuwait, where she worked with children with disabilities.

“I have a tender heart for families facing such circum­stances,” says Payne.

“Being able to come into the hospital and share my love of creating art with other people is truly a highlight of my week.”