Robie Benve Art

Woo Hoo!  I did it! I dared to sign up for the 30/30 challenge again, despite the fact that this period of the year is the busiest and craziest.  Or maybe that is exactly why I signed up, because without the challenge commitment I may end up not painting on most days, due to life taking over my schedule. Anyway, I'm in! Exciting and scary at the same time. I'll try to complete 30 (small) paintings in the 30 days of September. However, if I really can't manage to do it, I know that even with a few missing pieces, it'll be a great opportunity to get my painting muscles exercised. It can be only a positive thing for me. If you want to sign up as well. or only check out what's all about go to Leslie Saeta's Blog or to the registration link . You can see the map of all the people that signed up. I think we are thousands!  So far I'm the only one in Columbus Ohio, unbelievable! Here are photos of a couple of my previous daily painting challenges: ...

Me setting up my booth at the yART 2015 What a great day. I worked hard to get ready, setup, and organize, but it was all worth it. I partecipated in the yART, a small local art fair, a low key event for which you don't need a fancy booth and all the shananigans that some bigger art fairs require. Nevertheless I had a nice setup, and I made quite an investment in frames, to have everything looking professional. My amount of work was multiplied by the fact that I also coordinated the adjacent booth, belonging to the Dublin Area Art League, that recently has kindly elected me its president. Getting the two things going and organized have taken some effort, but at the end I was overwhelmed by the great response from the members, the wonderful artwork that has been turned in, and the amazing look of the DAAL's booth. Dublin Area Art league booth at the yART Of course I need to share the credit with the volunteers from the art league that made today happe...

"Just Mowed" 6"x6" Oil on board Available Sometimes, when I go out and paint on location with a group, other painters are surprised at the small size of my board. A 6"x6" looks quite small on an easel (and even off the easel, lol) But painting small is a wonderful way to give myself the opportunity to finish the painting in one sitting, on location, taking fully advantage of the limited time available. I usually am productive for a couple of hours tops, then I need to take a break. If I'm with a group I love to walk around to see what everyone else is painting. That gives me an extra boost, because I have some excellent painting companions, and their work can be very inspirational. After two hours a 6"x6" is very close to completion. So the break provides a "fresh view"upon my return, and I am able to better see what's needed as far as finishing touches. If I paint a bigger size board I often end up going home wit...