"San Diego ComiCon, The ArtExpo And The Tony Gwynn Extravaganza!"

San Diego's favorite son...

Had a great time at the ArtExpo here in San Diego, where nerdy "conventioneers" abound.  Being from New Orleans, one would think I'd understand the need to dress up, but I don't!  Certainly, I have no animosity or disdain for those that do, I just don't get the need to be something or someone else!  Kinda like wearing sports jerseys with your favorite player’s name on it.

Anyway, on the second day, in between guests strolling by my "booth,” I decided to paint San Diego's recently deceased favorite son, Tony Gwynn.  Originally, I had planned to demo my traditional marker style and talk about my slideshow, but the way the expo was situated, that wasn't possible.  But, I had planned to demo/paint a portrait or an aircraft.   Since the demographics of this venue would care less about a finished piece of aviation history, I decided to go for Tony. 

Funny though, I pressured myself with the final by offering to raffle it off at the end of the evening, even though I had little idea that it would turn out this nicely.   I even wrote a note stating that I'd raffle it off if it was worth raffling off.

The note got a lot of chuckles from people passing by.  It might have even encouraged some to add their name in the "hat!"

I had been working on it for about four hours when I decided to take a walk, grab a "cab" and stroll amongst beautifully costumed ladies and scary, one of a kind ghouls, witches, warlocks, Sherlocks and dead bolt locks!  (El Dia de los Muertos" continues to rule along with dark, forbidden icons from a religious past!) 

Of course, when I returned to my beloved baseball icon, it looked more like a "Picasso Armageddon!"  My deadline was 9 pm and I now had less than two hours to get Tony recognizable, or I'd have to announce to the crowd that I'd be too embarrassed to give it away!

If I have the courage to announce anything to the crowd.

I decided to share my progress with people putting their names in the hat, which really ratcheted up my enthusiasm.  About this time, some serious fans of Tony Gwynn came by to share their love of the ball player.  One woman said she cried for days when he passed away, and one couple said that they have such an abundance of Gwynn memorabilia that the collection has almost become an altar to Tony.

It was great fun.  One half an hour before Adobe started giving away their raffle prizes, I confidently marched over to one of the school administrators, Linda Sellheim, and requested that she announce my intention to raffle off the portrait.

Well, I didn't win one year's subscription to CC6 or a T-shirt or any other goodies from Adobe, but after the conclusion of their gift giving, Linda graciously announced my intention to raffle off Tony, and there was just as much excitement as there was for Adobe's promo.   Linda's a real promoter and was quite effusive with her praise of me and the portrait.   The little dynamo and I go way back to Art Center days... and, she’s still prone to hyperbole, ha!

As the first no-show name was pulled I thought, "Oh great... no one's hung around for this!"  But, the second pull sprung forth Samantha and Keola LaGrimas from San Diego, the couple I had spent quite a bit of time talking baseball and our love for Tony Gwynn.

Their enthusiasm for winning really made me feel that the effort was well worth it.  We three posed for promo pics with their prize, and luckily, for me, Therese took a few, too. 

We ended the day with a toast to a job well done, and then continued the night with a late dinner at the "Juniper and Ivy" restaurant in downtown San Diego, just Linda and her husband Mark, Tee, and me.

Copyright 2014/Ben Bensen III

"Love You, Miss You, And Keep On Practicing, But Don't Wait Up, Okay?"

We be jammin', he liked jammin' too!

• Yesterday was the one year "anniversary" of our son's passing. He was gonna be thirty-four. Love him and miss him and sure wish he was here, but hard as he tried, he just couldn't beat his illness. I really don't give the after life much thought, but wherever he is, I hope he has found some peace and can focus on the really important things like what pitch to throw on a 0-2 count, and… how to tell a joke before laughing away the punch line. Also, how to set the hook on one of those beautiful California golden trout we never did learn how to catch." How to make a model airplane without losing the clear plastic canopy, or perfect your delicious fish taco that Mario taught you how to make, and, and… how to go Pete Townsend on your guitar without scrapping your knuckles!
  
  Oh, and lastly, how to introduce yourself to one of those pretty young angels, high up in those clouds!
  
  Forever…
  
  Dad
  

  Copyright 2014/ Ben Bensen III

  
  
  

"This Guy's In Love With You"... And, The Purple Drugstore!

He thought it was "schmalzy, but so what...

It was 1969 at the Katz and Besthoff drug store on the corner of Broadway and St. Charles Avenue. It was across from Dominican College, where my then, girl friend, went to school and worked. There was a juke box inside. On her lunch break,  we'd occasionally have a malt and a burger and for a quarter, I believe, you could play three tunes. I'd always play BS&T's Blues Part II, Creedence's, "Susie Q", and "This Guy's In Love With You!"

For the record, on this date in history: June 22, 1968- "This Guy's In Love With You" by Herb Alpert hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and the record produced by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss.

It was not only Alpert's first No. 1 single, but it was also the first No. 1 single for his A&M record label. The song held the #1 position on the Hot 100 for 4 weeks, and also spent ten weeks at No. 1 on the Easy Listening chart. Herb Alpert's Singing Debut...

It was kind of a "schmalzy" song, and not all that well sung, but the song became one of Therese's and my favorites! I liked it enough to have Edgar Winter, my then, brother-in-law, show me how to play it on the piano...

And, I still remember how to play it... I'm such a sentimentalist!

Copyright 2014/ Ben Bensen III

"We Lost Most Of Our Pictures Of Dad In The Katrina Flood, But..."

Three Generations...

I don't have many pictures of my father since Hurricane Katrina flooded my parent's home, but damn, I can't find a better moment that depicts my relationship with my son, and my father than this...

http://youtu.be/Yy6sSp6IY7c

Yeh, I had to bury my head into my wife's shoulders, and like a baby, I just came apart when he said,

"Hey Dad... wanna have a catch?"

 Happy Father's Day, y'all...

Copyright 2014/Ben Bensen III

"A Farm, Smack Dab In The Middle Of Suburbia!"

On location painting...

Late last fall, I found this citrus (Satsumas) farm, smack dab in the middle of a suburban neighborhood. I was struck by the orange barn that was all the more illuminated by the evening sun and the long fall shadows. I painted this on location in three sessions. Originally, I attempted painting the whole farm with trees full of the orange fruit, but soon realized it would be better suited for the studio. The painting has a stark, well defined, graphic look which I love, and is what attracted me originally. You can get a better look and maybe purchase a print at: 

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/lonesome-road-satsumas-ben-bensen-iii.html

Copyright 2014/ Ben BensenIII

"I Only Knew One Friend And I Found Him At The Vietnam War Memorial."

He was on the football team as a second string tackle, and that's pretty much how I knew him. Adrian was a soft spoken, shy, rather unassuming guy who seemed not quiet sure of his place in high school. He had a great sense of humor with a disarming smile. I wish I had known him better. I went to our Senior class yearbook to find his graduation photo, but, for whatever reason, it was not available. 

Classic Adrian? I really don't know. We were pretty much all about our selves back then, as most teenagers are, and I have, now, no way of knowing. I had to go to our junior year football roster pic to find the one posted.

I was in my first year of college when I heard Adrian joined the Marine Corps. I thought, he must have had a real need to prove himself to himself to do something that drastic at a time that was so dangerous. Why would he do such a thing? 

What seemed like six months later, the news spread that Adrian was killed in an ambush in Vietnam. I remember someone told me how it happened, but the passing of the many years has fogged my memory. I felt some sadness, then, but felt it was naive to think he could prove himself in such a way. I felt it was foolish of him to try. There had to be a better way.

Many years later, while attending a function at Andrews, AFB with the Air Force Art Program, I  decided to visit the newly completed Vietnam Memorial. The memorial had been negatively talked about for what seemed years before and after it was built. I had heard people would bring paper and a marker or pencil to rub or score the names of deceased friends and relatives onto the paper to remember and honor those who died protecting our freedom. I thought that was cool, even though I knew I would not need much paper.

I only knew one soldier.

I would walk and search the entire wall until I found him and when I did, I just began sobbing. I really didn't know why, I just did. It was very moving. More moving to me than I could ever realize. A distant school friend, a team mate, a graduate, a soldier… a Marine!

A piece of paper is now all I have left of him and it is stashed deep in my files, forever. Who knows if I will ever find it, but in my heart, Adrian will live forever. Though I have never been in the service, and therefore, no real right to say this, "Semper Fi," Adrian...

And thank you.

Copyright 2014/ Ben Bensen III

"Be-boppin" Mom, Friends, And Some Horseplay"...

Some of today's polo horseplay...

We live about two miles from these polo grounds. Every now and then, as I drive my mom to and fro, she spots the polo players across the road, riding and slapping the ball around on the practice field. I thought it would be cool to take her to a real game. With the help of Debra Schilling Smith and Karen Babin, I was able to take mom to the Southeastern Louisiana Land Grant Polo Tournament today. Mom had a ball, grubbin' and watching the horseplay!

Like "cool Daddy-O!"

I also met a few patrons who somehow knew me, but I didn't know them. That's always a bit awkward, but I did find a few artists friends like Phil Shaw and sculptor/ ceramist Craig McMillin, who was nice enough to pose with me nine different times to get a decent picture. Our son Brian used to hang with Craig and occasionally help him in various ways at his shop.

Craig's work can be seen at:http://studiomcmillin.com

As I mentioned, there were some folks who introduced themselves to me like I knew them. It was very flattering, but a little awkward. One man I did know was, Dr. Jay Addison, the president and administrator of the Southeastern Louisiana Land Grant. He came over to thank me for my limited edition poster I created two years ago for the polo event fund raiser. 

The story of creating the artwork for the poster is at: Limited edition print, "Bubbles"

I had not seen Jay since he lost his son in a bicycle accident around the same time we lost our son. We spoke about "chasing ghosts" for the last year or so, as he, as well as I, try to get on with our lives. He sent a large, beautiful floral array at Brian's funeral. It was awfully nice of him to seek me out being that this is basically his party and was so busy running it as well as, entertaining.

All in all it was a gorgeous Spring day to come out and watch the ponies play... and for a good cause!

Copyright 2014/ Ben Bensen III