TAYLOR - Linda DuBorgel has been ‘Drawn to Art’ and shares her passion with kids here at her home studio in Taylor.
"I consider myself extremely lucky to do what I do, because not only do I enjoy it, but I can make other people happy,” said DuBorgel.
Her daughter Brie, proud of how much her mother shares her talent with kids, shared her story in a letter to Newswatch 16.
"She is positive, smart...fun, a great mother and a talented artist," said Brie DuBorgel.
Teaching this talent to kids comes naturally for ‘Miss Linda.’ DuBorgel has been running the Drawn to Art Studio out of her home in Taylor for 22 years, putting all of her energy into painting, drawing and teaching children as young as four years old. But these beautiful pictures may never have been painted here if it weren’t for a life changing illness DuBorgel was diagnosed with.
"Most people would be surprised to know that she has suffered from a debilitating illness called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for the last 20 plus years," said Brie.
"That forced me to make a serious change in my career path and it turned out to be a silver lining,” said DuBorgel. That silver lining was this business. DuBorgel had become so sick she had to quit her public relations job. "We thought I could be dying, that's how bad things were,” she said. "I was tired, but the kind of crushing tired that a healthy person can't fathom."
But you would never know DuBorgel’s lacking energy with the number of lives she touches and the passion she shows sharing her talent with others.
"Honestly I'm just really proud of her because she does rally and she's been sick and I know it's a struggle but she still gets up every day and works and teaches,” said Brie.
"I rally, I rally every day,” said DuBorgel. She said her as her Illness tore her down, she focused on the positive, her kids. "I am the type of person who likes to build up rather than tear down, because there's enough in this world that can make it difficult for children and anyone. So I encourage them to do their best and have fun with it."
This is her focus, all while carving out the time to work on her own commissioned artwork. Kids and parents who have gotten to know ‘Miss Linda’ over the past two decades say she’s an inspiration.
"I think whether or not she had that illness in her life, that's who she is. And she didn't let that interfere with who she was,” said Tish Giglio of Old Forge.
"My mom is a great example of someone who has made lemonade out of lemons,” said Brie.
Miss Linda wouldn’t have it any other way.
"I don't think I could have done anything that's more rewarding than working with kids,” said DuBorgel.