About Us

D B A R a v i n ’

Linda McGowan has been in business for 17 years, originally DBA LM Designs. Linda is a fine artist and graphic designer. She runs her freelance business out of her home.

Linda earned a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Creative Arts and Learning from Lesley University, 29 Everett Street, Cambridge, MA 0213, in February 2004. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Fine Art with a concentration in Graphic Design, May 1995, from the University of Southern Colorado, now CSU-Pueblo, 2200 Bonforte Boulevard, Pueblo, CO 81004. She earned the title of Suma Cum Laude from both universities.

Linda is skilled in the techniques, principles & foundations of design, problem solving, research & visual organization. She is proficient with typographic design & ad layout, production & prepress, four-color process as well as spot color & layout and illustration through various media including photography. She has mastered the Macintosh platform & works equally well with the PC platform. She is proficient in QuarkXPress, Adobe, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, digital camera software, scanning and some video software. She is an accomplished fine artist and illustrator experienced with pencil, charcoal, oil pastels, prismacolors, watercolor, oil, intaglio printmaking, photography, computer manipulation & some ceramics & sculpture. She has worked with clients through her freelance business and has communication and teamwork skills as well as managerial and supervisory skills. She is organized, self-motivated, learns quickly and is a good listener. She can multi-task projects and meets every deadline. She is experienced in proof reading, copy & ad writing, rewriting, publishing & news reporting. She has a diverse background in dealing with ethnic and disadvantaged students and adults.

Linda has earned awards from Pueblo Art Guild Eclectic Art Show, Pueblo, CO 2005: First and Second Place, the Colorado State Fair Fine Art Exhibit, August 2000: Honorable Mention, Zonta’s Women’s Artful Exhibit, Fremont Center for the Arts, March 2000: Merit Award, USC Student Art Show, spring 1995: Best in Graphic Design, Pueblo County Fair Adult Competition, August 1993: Best of Show, two 1st Places, a 2nd Place & Honorable Mention

She has exhibited her fine art in The New World Gallery at Pueblo Alegre Mall, Taos, NM, at Milagros Coffeehouse, 129 Main Street, Alamosa CO, Pueblo Art Guild, Pueblo, CO, Spanish Peaks Arts Council, La Veta, CO, Colorado State Fair Fine Art Exhibit in Pueblo, CO, Blossom Festival, Fremont Center for the Arts, 505 Macon St. Cañon City, and Ann’s Art Shop & Gallery, 5th & Main Street, Cañon City, CO.

Her accomplishments include a nomination for Teacher of the Year by Fremont Campus students, publication by Author House Publishing of her fist novelette Lame Johnny Creek which included the cover design, and publication of her short story The Dance in The Hungry Eye, University of Southern Colorado-now CSU-Pueblo.

She is the creator of her website http://www.ravininc.com and has done several other websites.

Linda taught youth art classes at the Cañon City Rec District, youth Sunday school classes and the Childrens’ Story during service at the Disciples of Christ Church in Cañon City, and summer Bible School at the Congregational Church in Buena Vista. She home schooled her daughter in 8th grade. She volunteered for four years to teach art classes for the Senior College during Spring Break at Pueblo Community College Fremont Campus. She worked as waitress and bartender at several restaurants in Greeley, Buena Vista and Cañon City; was office assistant at Buena Vista Medical Clinic; cashier and counter sales at Cloth World and Rollin’s Hallmark in Fort Collins and K-Mart in Greeley and was assistant manager for National Furniture Rentals in Fort Collins. She studied ballet, danced and preformed on stage. She prepared set designs, applied makeup in adult and children plays and directed/choreographed children’s theatrical productions. She sang in choir at church and school and still plays some piano, guitar and trumpet. She broke and trained several horses, raised and sold German Shepherds and remodeled her home. She plants a garden every year, maintains trees, shrubs and house plants and is a bird enthusiast.