Robie Benve Art

--> "Inspiration II" 18” x 24” (45.7cm x 61cm) Acrylic on Canvas Panel I had this on the works for a while, it’s a big size for my standards; I finally called it done today. As was my second painting, this is inspired by Mark Gould’s work, in particular the one entitled  “My Neighbor's House #824”. I just love how Mark Gould uses color, and how he simplifies shapes and details. I tried to render his style, without making a replica, but I have to admit it came out closer to the original than I thought!  I look at my painting, and it makes me smile. That means it's creating positive energy for my soul. I have to hang it in a meaningful area of my house, where I can see it often.  I happen to have a bare wall in the “Fame and Reputation” area, according to the Bagua, and with all the reds in the painting I think that’s where it will belong! :)) Oh, in case you are wondering, the Feng Shui Bagua is a map that relates the various areas of...

--> "Garden’s Tulips" 6” x 6” (15.2 cm x 15.2cm) Acrylic on Canvas Panel Painted in one hour, actually less, considering all the interruptions by my busy household. I lost count of how many minutes I had to leave the easel to respond to situations that “just couldn’t wait”, like: where is the glue?, I need white cardstock, the phone is ringing, etc etc. But I made it, I got my second painting done in 60 minutes (or less) using only four colors. I’m debating if I should post this to the DPW challenge, since I did not do it plain air, but from a photo of my front yard tulips that I shot in the spring… But painting outside was not an option: three of the kids were having a water fight all around the house using empty water bottles and buckets. Kind of splashy out there! :)

--> "Garden's Roses" 6” x 6” (15.2 cm x 15.2cm) Acrylic on Canvas Panel Painted in exactly one hour, using only ultramarine blue, cad red, cad yellow, and white, exactly as the challenge requested.  :) To see the challenge, click here . Love, Robie

I’m working on a new painting challenge. I thought I was done with this piece, then I realized I got the colors right but the values are not. And this is great! It means I can see values! lol I took a digital photo and looked at it on the monitor, it helps me seeing the things that need fixing. I took notes of the things I think I should improve, we’ll see. This photo is a detail of the path and purple flowers how they look now. Ciao “Where love reigns the impossible may be attained.” Indian Proverb   Love, Robie

 Red Tulips 5.5" x 8.5" acrylic on sketch paper (Click image for larger version) Why is it so hard to resume painting after few weeks off? First a was on vacation in Italy, then I was at a wedding in CT, now I’m finally home, but relatives are staying with us for the summer and I'm busy keeping four children entertained every day. ;) Yesterday I took them to the park, and said “stay in sight, don't get hurt, 'cause I'm gonna paint for half an hour or so". And it worked. I got the chance to break the ice painting this tulip field on my sketch book - not fancy, but the red color kind of reinvigorated me, and I'm looking forward to the next paint occasion (hopefully for a longer time).  :)