welcome!
Grace & Diggs is the studio of Linda Mullen. Along with a team of interns and collaborators, Linda creates wearable art, immersive environments, and community art projects from recycled materials. Each project invites visitors to step in to the art, be surrounded by and be a part of it.
Past clients include photographers, city organizations, retail store owners, and special event planners. Projects can be custom designed and created and pieces of all past work can be rented. Read on for upcoming projects and samples of past work.
Linda welcomes inquiries about commissions and collaborations.
Past clients include photographers, city organizations, retail store owners, and special event planners. Projects can be custom designed and created and pieces of all past work can be rented. Read on for upcoming projects and samples of past work.
Linda welcomes inquiries about commissions and collaborations.
COMING THIS FALL TO OLD TOWN HALL, SALEM MA:
order & ostentation
This fall, we are pleased to present, "Order & Ostentation," an immersive environment for selfies and photos that draws inspiration from the story of Salem’s Elizabeth Derby West.
Born in 1762, Elizabeth Derby West was not in danger of being accused of witchcraft like her Puritan forebears. She was, however, accused of being, "vain," "capricious," and "ostentatious," likely because she put up an unconventional and scandalous fight to keep her inheritance during divorice proceedings with her adultering husband.
Perhaps her ostentation in clothing grew from the same feistiness it took to stand up for herself in court in spite of what they said about her in the streets. We like to think there is a connection.
We invite you to explore this new photoshoot setting featuring two different immersive environments with multiple staging opportunities. The first environment welcomes you into an ornate but crumbling 1800s parlour where a woman’s influence and authority were alive - but only within those walls. Outside of the home, you’ll find a series of highly stylized, black & white backdrops inspired by city streets, civic spaces, religious buildings of Elizabeth Derby West’s day: all symbols of lines that could not be crossed, boxes that could not be broken.
These well-appointed rooms and black and white backdrops beg to be overrun with joyful riotous color by those brave enough to be a little vain, a little ostentatious! We have a collection of Grace & Diggs headpieces in gorgeous colors and outrageous shapes for you to wear as you snap selfies, spurn social order, and give voice to your inner grit and gumption. All headpieces and props are hand-crafted by Grace & Diggs from recycled materials.
All individual, group, professional photographer, and venue-rental sessions include access to both interactive sets, headpieces and accessories, props, and selfie technology. Reservations may be booked on Eventbrite or with affiliated event partners.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@graceanddiggs) for ticket release announcements and event updates!
Born in 1762, Elizabeth Derby West was not in danger of being accused of witchcraft like her Puritan forebears. She was, however, accused of being, "vain," "capricious," and "ostentatious," likely because she put up an unconventional and scandalous fight to keep her inheritance during divorice proceedings with her adultering husband.
Perhaps her ostentation in clothing grew from the same feistiness it took to stand up for herself in court in spite of what they said about her in the streets. We like to think there is a connection.
We invite you to explore this new photoshoot setting featuring two different immersive environments with multiple staging opportunities. The first environment welcomes you into an ornate but crumbling 1800s parlour where a woman’s influence and authority were alive - but only within those walls. Outside of the home, you’ll find a series of highly stylized, black & white backdrops inspired by city streets, civic spaces, religious buildings of Elizabeth Derby West’s day: all symbols of lines that could not be crossed, boxes that could not be broken.
These well-appointed rooms and black and white backdrops beg to be overrun with joyful riotous color by those brave enough to be a little vain, a little ostentatious! We have a collection of Grace & Diggs headpieces in gorgeous colors and outrageous shapes for you to wear as you snap selfies, spurn social order, and give voice to your inner grit and gumption. All headpieces and props are hand-crafted by Grace & Diggs from recycled materials.
All individual, group, professional photographer, and venue-rental sessions include access to both interactive sets, headpieces and accessories, props, and selfie technology. Reservations may be booked on Eventbrite or with affiliated event partners.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@graceanddiggs) for ticket release announcements and event updates!
"TOGETHER" community art project
Salem, MA - June 2021
This Community Art Project was done as a part of the Salem Arts Festival in June of 2021. It was designed and led by Grace & Diggs and built by the community.
After a year of pandemic lockdown and all the loss and isolation that entailed, spring came and things began to open up. We wanted to provide an opportunity for self-expression and a way to celebrate being able to gather again.
We used recycled plastic shrink wrap (in abundance in a seaside town as it comes off local boats). We wrote messages, poetry, drew pictures and decorated pieces of this plastic. The pieces were then shaped into giant flowers and attached to a wreath-shaped metal frame. See the link below for more of this process.
Projects like this one are made possible by the generosity of sponsors. Thank you to Salem Main Streets, Mass Cultural Council, Emporium 32, Northey Street House Bed & Breakfast, The House of The Seven Gables, and all our wonderful volunteers. Your belief in and support of public art makes the world a better place.
After a year of pandemic lockdown and all the loss and isolation that entailed, spring came and things began to open up. We wanted to provide an opportunity for self-expression and a way to celebrate being able to gather again.
We used recycled plastic shrink wrap (in abundance in a seaside town as it comes off local boats). We wrote messages, poetry, drew pictures and decorated pieces of this plastic. The pieces were then shaped into giant flowers and attached to a wreath-shaped metal frame. See the link below for more of this process.
Projects like this one are made possible by the generosity of sponsors. Thank you to Salem Main Streets, Mass Cultural Council, Emporium 32, Northey Street House Bed & Breakfast, The House of The Seven Gables, and all our wonderful volunteers. Your belief in and support of public art makes the world a better place.
"smoke & ash"
march 2021
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Here is a series of headpieces I worked on while we were in pandemic lockdown.
I am intrigued by the colours and textures that are revealed in the wake of wildfires. Wood, leaves, & petals all respond differently to flames and become frail but beautiful shapes before crumbling at the slightest touch. This was an intensely personal project for me and was a way of processing grief of 2020. Photos: Mitzie Gibson Photography Makeup: Valerie Lou Artistry |