Creativity for Linda is about balance.  Balancing family life, with time spent in the studio.  Time spent researching Jungian psychology and art history helped balance spiritual-mental connections for Benton.  Her motivation to paint comes from within.  A former college teacher told her “paint what you know best”.  Linda has carried this phrase with her since 1965.   
 
       Linda has studied at the University of Nebraska, College of Marin , in Northern California and University of California at Davis.  She  started showing her work in Nebraska and then in Northern California  where she had three solo shows & 5 invitationals during the 7 years her family spent in Marin County, CA.

       Her family migrated back to Nebraska in 1975 .  Linda has been showing in the 5-state region for 35 years.  Linda’s work is represented in the collections of University of Nebraska at Kearney, Bryan Hospital, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, and Nebraska Wesleyan.  She has had over 25 solo shows since her return to Nebraska.        
 
         Linda’s work with young students started with a Nebraska Art Council  residency grant at a day care center.   Linda’s work with children continues to date.  She works with the Haydon Art Center through their outreach programs. She is a docent at Sheldon Art Museum, giving tours to Lincoln public school students and helping with Sheldon Family Day art-making activities.  Linda and her dog volunteer at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital.  There they assist therapists working with patients, young and old, recovering from profound injuries.