Contemporary Impressionistic Artist 

"I paint because not to paint is unthinkable.  Painting completes me and truly is my life's passion."       www.Patreon.com/LindaBentonMcCloskey

STATEMENT

A new work begins without a preconceived outcome in mind.  A painting simply begins and then intuition, love, desire, and experience take over.  When in this dream-like state, I give way to the process.  Eventually shapes and movements are developed further...regardless of the result, the painting takes me to a new and unexpected destination.

My art is influenced by the impulsive approach of the abstract expressionists de Kooning, Motherwell, Kline, Mitchell and Hofmann.  Discovering creative ways of expression and keeping traditional rules of painting out of the picture are priorities.  Since I enjoy varying my palette of colors and approaches, my recent non-objective works are mostly watermedia, oil/cold wax, and encaustic with lots of texture and exciting color.  Diversity, with all its fascinating choices, intrigues me and is evident in my work. I am now also enjoying impressionist realism. I love doing it all!

My art business has been designated as a "Trusted Art Seller" with The Art Storefronts Organization, which means you can shop with confidence, and know that I stand behind the quality and value of my products.

BIOGRAPHY 

After changing careers and researching my family's history, I discovered that Thomas Hart Benton (an American Regionalist Painter 1889-1975) was my great-uncle.  Being a member of local art groups and I teach experimental water media, collage, abstract design, pastel, cold wax & oil, abstract landscapes and encaustic. I also teach on Patreon.com - direct link is above. Also am a signature member of the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, Philadelphia Watercolor Society and Baltimore Watercolor Society, plus have earned my nautilus status in the International Society of Experimental Artists.  

I have exhibited in numerous national and international juried shows, universities, cultural centers, galleries, and museums.  Most of my works are in private collections and universities.  I am married and have 5 children and 8 grandchildren and live near Harrisburg, PA.

AWARDS  

SINCE 2013, LINDA NO LONGER ENTERS CONTESTS OR JURIED SHOWS - PREVIOUS AWARDS

AWARDS in International, National and Regional Shows   

2013 - York Art Association, York, PA - Rottler Exhibit - Rottler Award - "Afterglow" and "Ringside"  (highest award of the year)   

2012 - Art Center of Mechanicsburg, PA - Members Show - 1st Place - "The Other Side of Me" 

2012 - Art Center of Mechanicsburg, PA - Open Juried Show - 1st Place - "A Place in Time"   

2011 - Art Center of Mechanicsburg, PA - Member Show - 1st Place - "Stepping Back"   

2010 - Yorkfest Outdoor Art Festival, York, PA - Annual Juried Show - BEST ARTIST OF SHOW (121 Artists)

2010 - PA Watercolor Society Annual Members Show - 4th Place - "Brassy"2010 - ISEA Award - ISEA (Int'l Society of Experimental Artists) International Juried Show - Grand            Rapids, Michigan - "A New Place"

2010 - Best Use of Media Award - Art Center of Mechanicsburg - Regional Juried Exhibit -         "Imagination" 

2009 - Award - Pittsburgh Watercolor Society Annual National Juried Exhibit - "Through the Looking          Glass" 

2009 - Merchandise Award - ISAP Online Juried Exhibit (International Society of Acrylic Painters -          "Revelation"

2009 - 3rd Place - Lancaster County Annual National Juried Show - Encaustic, "Earth Matters"

2009 - 2nd Place - York Art Association Annual Regional Abstract Show - Acrylic, "Revelation"

2008 - Award of Excellence - York Art Association Annual Juried Show - Encaustic, Red Square

2008 - Barrett & Chandler Merchandise Award - Pennsylvania Watercolor Society National Juried          Show - Watermedia, Brassy'

2008 - Honorable Mention - Keystone Juried National Works on Paper - Watermedia, The Hen House 

2008 - 2nd Place - International Society of Experimental Artists - International Juried Show -           Encaustic, The Finish Line

2008 - Rottler Award for Excellence - York Art Assoc.'s highest annual award - Watermedia, Brassy

2008 - Judges Award - Art Center of Mechanicsburg, PA - Mixed Media, Masquerade

2008 - Blue Ribbon - Most Distinguished Artist - YorkFest Art Festival, York, PA

2007 - Honorable Mention - Rottler Exhibit - York Art Assoc, York, PA, Mixed Media, Night Flight

2007 - 2nd Place, York Art Association, York, PA, Encaustic, Going Around in Circles2006 - 1st Place, Annual Juried Show, Kennett Square, PA, Watermedia, Kaleidoscope

2006 - 3rd Place, Annual Juried Show, Kennett Square, PA, Abstracted Landscape Collage, River's   Edge

2006 - Cutting Edge Award, ISEA, Watermedia, Tunes

2006 - 2nd Place, Lanc. County Art Assoc., Mixed Media, Indigo Nights

2006 - 2nd Place, Art Assoc. of Harrisburg, Collage, On Display2005 - 2nd Place, Frame Connection Gallery, Mixed Media, Indigo Nights

2005 - Best Mixed Media, Art Center of Mech, Mixed Media, Nature’s Harmony

2005 - 1st Place, Lancaster County AA, Collage, Spring Beauty

2004 - Best of Show, Frame Connection Gallery, Oil, Green Pastures

2004 - 2nd Place, Frame Connection Gallery, Oil, Green Pears

2004 - 3rd Place, Susquehanna Art Society, Oil, Green Pastures

2003 - People’s Choice, Lancaster County AA, Best Artist of Show

2003 - People’s Choice, Hershey Hotel (Arts in the Garden), Oil, Pinkerton Bridge

2003 - 2nd Place, Hershey Hotel, (Arts In the Garden), Oil, Pinkerton Bridge

2003 - 1st Place, Silver & Gold Magazine’s Fine Art Exhibit, Oil, Blue Mist---

PUBLICATIONS

2021 - Published in the Harrisburg Magazine - May Issue - 2 full pages 2018 - Published in the "Cold Wax Art Book", author, Rebecca Crowell 2014 - Published in "Incite2 - Color Passions" - The Best of Mixed Media - Full Page 2012 - Published in "International Contemporary Artists" Vol IV - Full Page 
2011 - Published in "A Walk Into Abstracts" Vol 3 - 2 pages
2011 - Harrisburg Magazine, November 2011 Issue, Featured Artist - "Artist Discovers Fulfillment in Non-Objective Work" 
2009 - The Creative Edge, Book, author Mary Todd Beam, 3 pieces of work published
2009 - Central Pennsylvania Magazine (Central PA Magazine), Cover Page and Featured Article (February Issue)
2008 - 50 Plus, Regional Magazine, Cover and Featured Article2006 - Watercolor Magic magazine, June 2006 Issue, Watermedia, Indigo Nights
2006 - Featured Artist for the Allied Arts Council of Central PA,
2006 Billboards & Brochure
2005 - Featured Artist, Business2Business Regional Periodical, One of 8 Hottest Artists for 2005