"Nixon Galloway... Number Eleven In A Series"

Curtiss "Carrier Pidgeon"...

The Curtiss Carrier Pigeon One was a box-like structure that featured inter changeable upper and lower wing panels and horizontal and vertical tail surfaces. Powered by the war surplus 600 hp "Liberty" engine, the Pigeon looked about as aerodynamic as a steamer trunk.

When compared to the Model One, the Model II was considered a real beauty. Except for the name and size, the only point of resemblance was the fact that they were both biplanes and built by Curtiss. The big Model LL was powered by a geared-down 12 cylinder V-type "Conqueror" engine built by Curtiss-the same 600 hp engine that powered the earlier Falcon.

The thirty-four foot fuselage was built in three different sections and bolted together. the forward section was metal paneled aft to the cockpit. The upper wing span was nearly forty-eight feet and the total wing area was 553 square feet, comprising nearly 100 feet of wing. At cruising speed of about 125 mph, the Model II's range was nearly 600 miles.

NAT only purchased three Model II's to add to the fleet of all-mail Curtiss Falcons and the new Boeing"Ninety Fives."

Copyright 2013/Ben Bensen III

Another In A Series of United Airline Watercolors...

Kinda goofy cockpit design!

National Air Transport, an early member of the United Air Lines, brought the rugged Travelair to their minimal fleet in 1927. NAT, a prime mail carrier, used the "5000" to add passenger revenue to its Mid-West hops.

In the first year of service, the three-to-five place aircraft carried a total of 1560 passengers adding handsomely to the profitability of the fledgling airline.  The "5000" designed by Clyde Cessna, made aviation history by winning the famous Dole Derby in 1927. The MA/5000, although used commercially by NAT, never did qualify for an Approved Type Certificate. It received the lesser Memo Approval 2-27 in 1929.

The "5000,"a champion in a long line of Travelairs, lives today only in black and white photos...

 and the accompanying watercolor art from Nixon Galloway.

Copyright 2013/Ben Bensen III 

"Best Seat In The House"...

The finished painting and the inspiration...

About one week ago, a friend and I were supposed to go to a local marina to paint, but the fickle evening weather had us just walking and talking about painting, our past and artists. In our conversations, my fellow artist mentioned subject matter and the importance of painting something that is worthwhile seeing. Normally, my verbosity gets in my own way, but this was a subject close to my heart.

So, I zipped my lips and listened.

Subject matter and entitling one's painting has always been an interesting topic for me. It's one thing to be proficient as a painter, and it is another to be able to approach your marketing skills with some savvy. Knowing what's trending is so important as is being knowledgeable about your "product" and your target audience. Knowing how to incorporate a title that is playful, humorous as well as informative, is also a big plus.

The adman in me just loves to come up with titles for my paintings... or anyone else's, for that matter.

When it started to rain, we hopped in my car and drove around. Carol, ever vigilant, spotted a small trail amongst the over growth and trees. It was located close to a lagoon that ran from the marina into a wooded state park. We slowed down, as the road curved, and talked briefly about the scene having some potential. We then, continued on with our conversation and perusal.

Three days later, I had some time to myself and decided to find somewhere to paint. I had about four hours to blow, but I couldn't stand the thought of being out in the hot sun, in the middle of the day, painting more boats. I had to find something interesting and one that was in the shade.

I decided to try to find that shaded trail that Carol and I had seen a few days before. I should have taken the location more seriously because I wasted almost an hour searching for it. When I found it, I parked the car and took off looking for something off the beaten path.

And I found it. It was just to the left of the original trail, so, I hiked it for about a hundred yards or so and came up to this dead end where someone had surreptiously place an old studio chair. With a few empty Heineken beer bottles and some cigarette butts laying close to the chair, I surmised that it was somebody's secret hide out.

A nearest faraway place...

I hiked back to the car and got my equipment. Besides being a great story to illustrate, it was very much in the shade and this is what I came up with.

Sometimes, you get lucky and sometimes you make your own!

Copyright 2013/Ben Bensen III

"My Facebook Quiche Recipe"...

Real quiche for real men...

A couple of friends requested my quiche recipe that I comment about on Facebook in the early morning hours. Pictured here is a regular pie crust that I purchase instead of making the dough from scratch. Since I shouldn't eat bread anymore, I buy the Pillsbury pre-made pie shells. My wife liked it so much, she asked to try the deep dish pie crust. So, that's the recipe I'm gonna share.

Preheat the oven at 375 degrees and take the pie out of the wrapper. Break one of the six eggs and cover the edges of the crust with the clear part of the egg. ( I never thought it made that big of a difference, but I found it really does! ) Cover the bottom of the pie shell with swiss cheese. I tried other cheeses, but with the exception of pepper jack, I prefer swiss. Usually, two slices of the sandwich style cheese is enough. I then chop up enough onion to cover the top of the cheeses. ( Chop to your love of onions! )

Then, I scramble six eggs with enough low fat milk ( evaporated milk or cream, if you like working out in the gym! ) to make about two, more or less, cups. Naturally, it depends on what you are gonna put in as the filling, but usually, for the deep dish, it is about two cups! I, next, add some kind of meat. Quiche Lorraine recipe calls for bacon chips, but I use mostly deli ham enough to cover neatly over the cheese and onions. About two slices which I cut up in thin slices or just tear it apart into little pieces. ( The only other meat I've tried is turkey smoked sausage, but what ever you imagine, I guess, should work. )

I then, add some kind of greens. To be honest, I like fresh basil and roma tomatoes chopped up and added until that mixture pretty much fills to the crust. Other combinations that I've tried that work are broccoli, artichoke hearts and mushrooms, cilantro and tomato with black olives, spinach and tomato, cilantro and pickled jalapeno!

Pour the milk and egg mixture over the filing to the top of the pie rim. Oh yeh, before the pie gets too heavy and unwieldy, put the pie on a baking sheet. Believe me, you don't wanna spill an uncooked quiche while putting it into the oven. ( It makes such a mess! )

I have started, in the last five or six quiches, to adding fresh nutmeg especially if the recipe I using doesn't include strong spices like basil or cilantro. If the mixture is light, ground fresh nutmeg is really good. ( I sometimes take a taste of the filing without disturbing the crust, and that's how I know it is really effective! )

Before the pie goes in the oven at 375 for 35 minutes, I sprinkled fresh, shredded parmesan or romano cheese on top. I, sometimes use sharp cheddar, but mostly, I like the parmesan.

I wait about five minutes or so, to cool off. I serve it with a fruit salad or a sliced banana. And that's it.

It should be noted that I mentioned, in jest, making an Italian quiche with artichokes, anchovies and garlic. A friend tried it and said it was wonderful...

Of course, he's Italian!

Copyright 2013/ Ben Bensen III

"A Tribute To A Man Who Loved Advertising And Big Bosomed Women"

Life's a Chess Game...

A few weeks ago, I lost a friend, a colleague, a client, and a nut. I got an email from a good friend, who was nice enough to remember how close Walt Harris and I were, to inform me of his rough last two years before succumbing to some form of cancer... I presume. Leafing through some old Daily Reminders dating back as far 1983, there was Walt's name. An appointment here, a visit there, a delivery date, an editing session, a call time, everywhere... until about 2004 or so.

It is only by coincidence that this Power Point presentation was created first with our relationship in mind. I've got lots of slides, prints, xeroxes, and now, cd's of the work we created for Toyota at Saatchi in Torrance, California. When I made this promotional presentation for myself, I assumed Walter was still alive and living well somewhere in Laguna Niguel. Since his death, I have edited it extensively.

But, it is still a pretty loving tribute to a friend, colleague, client and a nut!

http://www.slideshare.net/bensencomp1/walter-and-me

Copyright 2013/Ben Bensen III 

"Chuck Muncie, Game Day and Me!"

Opening Day New Orleans Saints Game Day cover... 1980!

Just this week, Saints running back Chuck Muncie passed away apparently from a heart attack, at the age of sixty. He was an incredible, but mercurial athlete. His on the field performances and his thick rimmed Clark Kent glasses, made Muncie visually something special to watch. As Archie Manning put it in article by Rick Cleveland... “Well, we both went to the Pro Bowl after the 1979 season,” Manning says. “The coaches had us in the game at the same time. I had a great game, completed all but one of my passes, but I wanted to feature Chuck, so I gave him the ball a lot and called one halfback pass, which, of course, he threw for a touchdown. It was the best Pro Bowl I ever had, but damned if they didn’t give Chuck the MVP.” *Rick Cleveland's sports blog is at: msfame.com and can be reached at: rcleveland@msfame.com .

That was in 1979. A few months later, into 1980, the NFL contacted me about doing a cover illustration for the league's "Gameday" program magazine that would be available at all Saint's games in the dome for the coming football season. I was elated to be asked by then, creative director, Dave Boss. My lucky connection was a teacher at Art Center who remembered me as being from New Orleans and, naturally, a Saints fan. Coincidentally, he was employed at the Century City office of the National Football League.

Over the period of a few weeks, Dave Boss, approved my sketches for the cover design which would include six players that were voted to the Pro Bowl. Portraits of Tommy Myers, Tony Galbriath, Archie Manning, Wes Chandler, Henry Childs and Chuck Muncie, were to be included with Mr. Muncie featured prominently. Because I was, at the time, employed at an aerospace company, my week nights after work and weekends were spent rendering the spirit of the New Orleans and it's pride having, I believe for the first time, six Pro Bowl players.

The painting was completed in time for opening day by about a month or so. Visions of me sitting in the stands watching fans talk about my cover and using it to get autographs of the players ( and even of the illustrator! ) danced in my head. My wife and I made plans to fly home to purchase tickets for their first season game when the magazine would be available to season ticket holders, or purchased.

About two or three weeks before the painting was to go to press, Dave Boss called me and asked me if I could make changes to the central character, Chuck Muncie. I told him sure, whatever you needed me to do, I am available.

"Ben, everybody, here at the office and with the Saints, loves what you did for the cover, but we have to take out Chuck Muncie and put another player in his place," he said.

When I asked him which player should I change it to, he told me that it would be best to make it "a non-discriped white running back."

"And, cover his number with the football so there won't be an confusion,"he said.

Later in our conversation he told me that the running back was arrested on cocaine charges and for assault of his girlfriend, allegedly. He said that the then owner, John Mecom, couldn't have that kind of publicity and that to save the cover, which he liked, we'd have to go to this extreme.

Although the NFL paid me for the painting, it was never used for the opening day ceremonies. Apparently, the powers that were, changed it to a generic "jazz" cover complete with confetti, a trumpet, a clarinet and the fleur-di-lis.

Those changes were completed over that weekend though I was never happy with my last minute additions. To this day, whenever I look at that painting, which is quite prominent on my living room wall, I cringed. The arm holding the football and especially the running back's hand isn't up to my standards.

I also cringed every time I think how drugs have destroyed or altered so many talented people's lives.

And, in a very small way, mine included.

Copyright 2013/Ben Bensen III

"Another Nixon Galloway United Airlines Collector Series Watercolor!"

A Hollywood Star...

Apparently, according to the informative card I attached to Nixon's watercolor, the Travel Air BM 4000 was a perfect actor in many World War One movies like, "Wings." It resembles a Fokker D-7 because of the extended "elephant ear" ailerons on the upper wing tips. The BM-4000 was powered by a nine cylinder Wright J-5. When air mail was opened to commercial interests, the plane was modified to carry cargo. Pacific Air Transport adopted the three seater sport version to carry mail and cargo in the front cockpit, instead of passengers on its Los Angeles-Seattle route.

The Travel Air series of planes owed its success to many designers, engineers, and entrepreneurs. Misters Beech, Stearman, and Cessna collectively added their best to help cast the die for the aircraft that today is incorporated into all aircraft. Pacific Air Transport, founded in January 1926 by Vern Gorst. purchased Claude Ryan's Model 2 to launch its CAM route. Two years later Pacific Air Transport and Boeing Air Transport joined and became United Airlines.

For further info on this aircraft, checkout: http://www.pilotfriend.com/photo_albums/timeline/between/Travel%20Air%204000.htm

Copyright 2013/Ben Bensen III