A Three Rivers Sale… " Lazy Lagoon."

The question; to add the riggings, or to not!

The art festival in downtown Covington, LA, ended two weekends ago and, for me, there was much to learn about marketing your own fine art. I had the pleasure and good fortune to have a few local artists, guide me in the right direction. Most of my experience is from the advertising world and, I find, promotional material is pretty much done in a different way than fine art.

I didn't hesitate to display my commercial work, but most of it was in slideshow form on one of my laptops and it wasn't as effective as I had hoped mainly because of a computer preference which constantly went to sleep mid slideshow. A minor glitch, that will be rectified… next time around.

I really enjoyed talking to artists of all varied disciplines and getting their opinions and insights that come from years of participation in the many venues available. I found it interesting that all the artists I spoke with just loved talking about themselves, their experiences and their art. I was amazed how effective the placement of my paintings were to enhance a better traffic pattern in and around my booth. A large 2'x4' painting centered on the back portion of the booth caught everyone's attention whether they stopped for a better look or not, but  my "Little Yellow Truck"seemed to spark conversations more than any of the other works.

A good friend of mine told me it would… and she was right!

I did manage to sell one painting on the first day. Of the two sailboat paintings I showed, it is the one I like the best and, to tell the truth, it is still one of my favorites of all of my plein air efforts.  I entitled it, "Lazy Lagoon."

It was kinda how I felt at the time I painted it and I guess it came through in the painting!

Copyright 2013/ Ben Bensen III

"Countdown to "Three Rivers Art Festival"… Two days left!

The stone bridge at City Park...

This is a piece I finished about a month ago is 16"x 20" in size and was painted in the studio from a plethora of photos I shot on two different days. I will be showing it at the Three Rivers Art Festival this coming weekend, but slightly changed. After looking at it for a while, I thought it needed a bit more atmosphere with lighted palm "frawns" and a few more lagoon lily pads.

                                                                       http://www.threeriversartfestival.com

Any one who is familiar with City Park in New Orleans, is very familiar with this stone icon. As a kid, I remember playing "Army" dressed in full combat gear ( circa World War II ) with my other soldier buddies attempting to attack or defend the bridge at all costs. That was a long time ago, and the bridge survived our attacks and many other catastrophes over the years.

It was a fun piece to paint and I suspect I will be doing a few more of these over time. In fact, if I had a few more hours of drying time, I probably would go back into this one to make an adjustment or two, though regardless, I really am happy with how nice it turned out!

You know how we artists are… never satisfied!

Copyright 2013/Ben Bensen III

Countdown to Three Rivers Art Festival…Three Days Left! "The Lily Pad Broke And..."

It Ain't Gonna Rain No More...

This is kind of an onsite plein air piece. About once a week, I have to check on things at my mom's home in New Orleans. When I do, I always try to set up a luncheon with an old friend or peruse the city for interesting things to paint.

There was a show of paintings at NOMA in City Park that I was interested in seeing. It was by an illustrator that, in a series of small paintings, documented a local celebrity chef named Leah Chase. The show wasn't what I expected, but any visit to this art gallery is worth the trip.

And it is free, on Wednesday.

Anyway, I happened to have my easel and paints with me, so I dove in and painted this lily and its "pad" from the huge fountain in front of the museum. I didn't do a very good job of painting the scene because I felt rather conspicuous playing artist in front of this huge, beautiful building. Luckily, it was only my insecurities that got in the way.

 No one stopped to look over my shoulder.

After about an hour, I decided to pack it up and drive back home before the commuter traffic started. Lucky for me, I decided to take a few shots with my... ahem, clamshell cell phone because months later, I visited the park and found the fountain was gone.

I don't know if it is being refurbished, replaced or just discarded, but one thing was for sure, the lily pad broke and hopefully, the frog split before falling and receiving the embarrassment of getting "water in his eye!"

So, here is, waiting to be displayed in my tent this coming Saturday and Sunday at the Three Rivers Art Fest on the downtown streets of Covington Louisiana. Waiting for whomever finds it as intriguing as I do. For info concerning the festival, go to:

                                                                       http://www.threeriversartfestival.com

A giant lily and it's pad, captured beautifully for posterity!

Copyright 2013/Ben Bensen III

Countdown to Three Rivers Art Festival..." A Closer Walk With Thee!"

Getting Jazzy in the French Quarter...

Down to five days before the show.  Here's another  painting I've completed in 2013 for the Three Rivers Art Festival coming this weekend on November 9th and 10th. I only have a few more days to get my art and act together, but I am not fretting about the quantity of paintings I'll hang for the show. One way or another, I'm gonna have fun, and the great fall weather should make for a wonderful weekend. For info concerning the festival, go to:

http://www.threeriversartfestival.com/

It is more about the quality, and I'm pretty happy about that!

Copyright 2013/Ben Bensen III

"Countdown to Three Rivers Art Festival"...

Just for the "plain air" of it...

One of a few on-site paintings I've completed in 2013 for the Three Rivers Art Festival coming this weekend on November 9th and 10th. I only have a few more days to get my art and act together, but besides getting a haircut, posting some of the artwork throughout the week, seems like the best use of my time. For info concerning the festival, go to:

http://www.threeriversartfestival.com/

Okay, maybe, the haircut is more important... ha!

Copyright 2013/Ben Bensen III