MMCA Marketplace is thrilled to introduce to you Linda McCloskey. Linda enjoys discovering creative ways of expression and totally keeps traditional rules of painting out of the picture. Since she loves to vary her palette of colors and new approaches, Linda's most recent works are experimental water media (abstract), mixed media, and encaustic (beeswax) with lots of texture and exciting color. Diversity with all its fascinating choices, intrigues her and is evident in her work. Since Linda begins a new work without a preconceived outcome in mind, she simply begins painting and then intuition, love, desire, and experience take over. As she begins to see images, she develops them further. No matter what the results, the works take Linda to a new destination.
After changing careers and researching her family's history, Linda discovered that Thomas Hart Benton (an American Regionalist Painter 1889-1975) was her great uncle. Although she has no "formal" education in the art field, Linda has studied under international artists such as Pat Dewes, Betsy Dillard-Stroud, Karlyn Holman, George James, Barbara Nechis, Gerald Brommer, Carrie Burns Brown, and Mary Todd Beam. Linda is a member of various local art groups and is a teacher of experimental water media, collage, abstract design, and encaustic.
Linda has exhibited in numerous national and international juried shows, universities, cultural centers, galleries, and museums. Most of her works are in private collections and universities. Linda is married and has 5 children and 8 grandchildren and lives near Harrisburg, PA in the suburb of Paxtang.
MP: What made you decide to become an artist and how old were you when you knew?
Actually, it wasn’t until I was in my late fifties …. Years ago when I was a young high school student, loving my art class, I mentioned to my art teacher that I was thinking about art as a career. Her response to me was that she felt that I didn’t have a talent in the art field and that it would better to pursue something different. And, I believed her. Over the years I continued to love art - going to museums and galleries and even collecting some art pieces, but never painting, just admiring those who could. One day while working at Rite Aid Corporation one of my co-workers suggested that I take a beginners watercolor class held in the evening. My first thought was “Are you kidding? I haven’t picked up a brush for over 40 years ”. But, what did I have to lose? I took that first class and the first night my teacher asked me to paint a landscape. Afterward - looking back on that 1st painting - it was awful - my first reaction was “my art teacher was right - I don’t have talent”. But I was encouraged to continue to try… the rest is history. MP: You are an incredibly great and patient teacher, according to one of our members who took a class of yours at the Art Association of Harrisburg in Harrisburg, PA. How do you find time to teach and to make art? Sometimes it’s very difficult. But, I always go back to my art teacher in high school who convinced me not to pursue my dreams. Today, I feel that it is my mission to help others who love art and to encourage them. It always amazes me when I see a brand new student create a wonderful piece - it’s priceless! I cherish those moments when I see a student’s painting hanging in an exhibit and even winning an award. One of my beliefs is that everyone has talent…. You just have to pull it out and guide new students in the right direction. I always stress the fundamentals of design….the principals and elements which we discuss often in class. As far as finding time for my own art - as I have said many times - I can’t imagine life without painting, it‘s my passion. I try to work art into my daily life - sometimes it’s just reading an art magazine or book or researching artists and their work on the internet. MP: Do you have a favorite medium or technique that you use a lot in your work? Actually, I have two. Acrylic with mixed mediums and the other is encaustic (beeswax with oil paint). When I first started painting I painted in a more realistically and was quite successful. Many thought I had gone insane when I decided to paint abstractly or non-objectively. But, I was bored with realistic work because I would “copy” what I saw in front of me or maybe change it somewhat to make it more appealing to the eye. I felt that something was missing in the challenge. Today I realize that my creativity was what was missing. To paint abstractly, your work has to come from within. You stretch your imagination - you can use the colors that you want - you can paint shapes that you love - you create…you don’t just copy. However, I still love to look at beautiful realistic paintings and occasionally paint one myself, but I always go back to abstraction. My techniques vary as much as the wind blows - that’s the fun of “experimental medias”….. it changes from day to day. What techniques I love today will evolve into something different tomorrow. It’s never ending.
MP: What advice would you give an emerging artist?
Never give up - never trust that inner self when it tells you that you don’t have talent - TALENT COMES FROM PRACTICE. If you love art and involve art in your everyday life - talent will come.
MP: Do you have certain times of the day or night that you find your muse is at its best?
Absolutely - the beginning of the day. As the day goes on and my energy begins to drain, so does my creativity. But, at AAH, I can only teach at night because of the parking restraints…. So if you only have nighttime, find a way to make it happen.
Yes, there are 2. One is a teacher that I still take workshops from myself who is an international artist and has written at least 20-30 books. Gerald Brommer. He is a true mentor, a wonderful artist of many mediums and techniques and is a kind and humble man. The other is a local artist - Debi Watson a watercolorist and teacher from Lancaster County. I admire her work and her never ending drive. She’s my role model.
MP: Do you have any upcoming projects/books/events/etc we can look forward to seeing in the future?
Actually something that will be new for me…. To curate a show. AAH has asked me to curate a Whitaker Center show at the end of this year. My students will be exhibiting there and will have their works for sale. Everyone’s excited about it. MP: Is there anything you would like the art world to know about you or your art that we did not cover in our interview? Never give up! As I mention often to my students… think of each painting as a learning experience - even though it may not be a masterpiece - think of it as a sheet of paper or canvas that you learned something from. Take off your adult hat and become a child again - only then will your creativity flow. Any regrets? Yes….that I waited so long and late to paint. Please visit Linda's website for more incredible works of art, upcoming workshops and more. Linda Benton McCloskey, Fine Art
Linda, thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to share with our readers. If you enjoyed learning about the art life of Linda, please leave a comment.
Linda has been my teacher for many many years, she is my mentor. I have learned so much from her, it is impossible to measure the knowledge I have gained from her or the admiration I have for her. She is truely a gifted artist and a wonderful friend!
Elaine Brady Smith
Posted by: Elaine Brady Smith | February 2009 at 10:29 AM
This is a wonderful interview!! Someday I hope to take one of Linda's classes!!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts~
If only your art teacher could have seen your beautiful creations... I wonder what she would say?!
Good luck on curating the upcoming show, sounds thrilling!
~Izabella
Posted by: Izabella | February 2009 at 12:16 PM
Thanks so much for giving this wonderful interview and introducing yourself and your art to us. When I first read it, I turned right around and read it again! Your advice is priceless and so very much appreciated. One can't pick up a newspaper or turn on the tv without being bombarded with gloom & doom, so reading this was like a breath of fresh air.
Posted by: sue pieper | February 2009 at 10:48 PM