Robie Benve Art

"The Nutcracker at the Ohio Theater" 8"x10" Acrylic and paper on wood panel SOLD A yearly tradition for many during the Xmas holidays, going to see The Nutcracker ballet by Tchaikovsky is always a wonderful experience. So many memories are made inside of the lovely and historic Ohio Theater, in the heart of Columbus, OH. I wanted to capture a loose and lively rendition of the moment when people arrive to see the show, with the warm lights and the excitement of the evening. It makes me want to check what show is on this week! :) This piece will be in the Summer Show of Art at Marcia Evans Gallery in the Short North Arts District, 8 E. Lincoln St, Columbus, OH. On view: June 1 - 30 August 2019.

"Revitalized Short North" Oil on canvas 18"x24" SOLD The Short North, the Columbus Arts District, gets better and better. Every time I visit there something new going on, and I'm not only talking about the never-ending constructions, lol. I have painted quite a few versions of the iconic arches with the glowing lights. This one it's a little bigger than the other arch paintings that I have completed so far; the bigger size allowed me to get more details in, though still trying to keep it loose. I really like how it turned out. Thanks a lot to the collector that purchased it from the Marcia Evans Gallery, in the Columbus Short North Arts District.

"Short North Lit Up" 8"x10" Oil on linen $200 Available through Marcia Evans Gallery I've been fascinated by the Columbus Short North arches and evening lights for a while. I love walking there - even now that there is quite a mess with major constructions everywhere, lol. It's a beautiful part of the city that feels very lively and it's full of restaurants and art galleries. Every first Saturday of the month there is a Gallery Hop, and when I went to the September one I took a bunch of photos for reference. This is one more painting from those images, this time in oil. Marcia Evans Gallery 8 E Lincoln St Columbus, OH

"First Lights of the Evening" 8"x10" Mixed media on canvas SOLD For this month I've switched from oil painting to mixed media, and I'm having a blast! It took me more than a day to complete this one, and I can still see things that I'd like to tweak, but that's how my life as a painter is, I could go on adding details and changing things forever, it's hard to stop and call it done. The 30 in 30 challenge is a good incentive to move on to the next piece; it might be underdone, but at least it's not overworked. :) The mixed media includes, acrylic paint, custom made stencils, tissue paper, and thread. I am behind on my 30 paintings in 30 days challenge, but I'm hoping to catch up before the end of the month.  Fingers crossed! Thanks a lot for stopping by. Blessings.

"Switch On" Acrylic, paper, and fibers on canvas 8"x10" $140 Another image of the Short North Arts District in Columbus, Ohio. Every first Saturday of the month there is the Gallery Hop. I missed the September one, but at the August Gallery Hop I took lots of pictures, that means I have a lot of different views of the Arts District to work from. Just a hint to let you know what might be coming from my easel in the near future, lol. I used to be scared of painting cars, they are a hard subject, now I'm actually learning to embrace the challenge. I think I'm liking the progress, they look like cars in traffic, right? :) Available at Marcia Evans Gallery 8 E Lincoln St, Columbus, OH 43215

You know the feeling when something worth celebrating has happened in your life? That's how I felt when Marcia Evans from Marcia Evans Gallery texted me that my painting Evening Promenade had sold in 24 hours! Yee-haw! I've been working with Marcia for a few months now, I brought over a few paintings, then picked them up, brought a few more. This is the first time that something of mine actually sells through the gallery, and it feels great! As an artist, but I think most people would relate to this, it is very hard for me to promote my own work to a potential buyer. It's much easier to say great things about someone else's work, but mine? I feel too involved to "talk it up". I could sell other people's work much easier. When it comes to talking to visitors at my booth or my studio, I end up talking about all kind of stuff, more or less personal, but not much about the paintings. Travel, Italy - where I come from - food, weather, and even politics...

Every year the Dublin Area Art League (DAAL) hosts a Paint Out in Historic Dublin, Ohio. This year I was the Paint Out chair - I am also the current DAAL president, I guess I could not be less involved in the Paint Out. :) I planned it, advertised it, worked hard to create community awareness and coordinate our wonderful volunteers and the day of the outdoor painting event we got pouring rain and cold. Bummer! Thank Goodness several brave and talented plein air painter came down and participated in the event anyway. Everyone did a wonderful job! The judge for the competition was Michael McEwan, and he seemed surprised too of the great paintings entered in spite of the weather. : ) If you don't know Michael he is a nationally renown, award-winning artist, landscape and plein air painter. I painted the cute store across the street from the booth "Chelsea Borough Home" and I tried to make it colorful, notwithstanding the gray day. My efforts were rewarded becaus...

"Glowing in the Dark" 9"x12" Oil on Masonite Panel Available By nature I am a night awl. I miss all the sunrises, buy I get very active after dusk. I always enjoy taking a walk at night, and the Short North, here in Columbus, OH is a great place to walk.