Robie Benve Art

March Sky Mixed media: paper and acrylic on wood panel 8"x10" see on my website I'm a big Harry Potter fan, I've read all the books several times, and of course watched all the movies, even more times. I love the fact that the Hogwarts March music score (from my kids' practice sheets... shhhh ;) is still visible under this night view of the LeVeque tower in Columbus, OH. There is a lot going on in this little painting, and it reminds me of the busy night life of the city. I really enjoy the challenge of creating semi-abstract mixed media painting using layers of paper, paint, and creating unexpected patterns with my hand-cut stencils.

I worked on this painting, on and off, for months, every time feeling like there was something else I needed to tweak before I could consider it finished.  Last week I brought it to my easel to see what else it needed and I finally saw it as done.  Yay! No more tweaking.  Chances are, as it often happens to any painter, that at one point I'll look at it and see something else I would like to edit or add. Well, it's varnished now, I'll just have to start a new one, lol. Nevertheless, I like how it turned out. My focus was on rendering the movement of the dress and the passion of the dancer, with a hint of the live musicians in the background. I especially like how the of the dress turned out. "To the Rhythm of Music" Oil on canvas 16"x20", framed SOLD "The one thing that can solve most of our problems is dancing." James Brown

          8”x10” Acrylic on canvas panel Ah, how I love the sound of great music unexpectedly filling the air! It’s a gift, a spiritual lift offered by volunteer musicians spreading love through their instruments. Lee A. Brown, a professional photographer and artist, took the reference picture and posted it in his ADNW web site for a monthly painting challenge. Apparently the saxophonist in the painting plays nearly every day in the same spot at Central Park. A quick research online uncovered his name: Ralph U. Williams. It really makes me want to take a trip to Manhattan, sit nearby him and let the Jazzy Love sink in!