low priced range: $1,500
high priced range: $7,500
mediums used: oils
surfaces used: canvas
A link to the artist’s website: The home page has a wonderful painting of some surrealistic dogs painted in a “Dali” style. http://www.bensteeleart.com/index.html
On line and land based galleries: CODA Galleries in both Park City, Utah and Palm Desert, California.
Park City, Utah : http://www.codagallery.com/park_city/art/index.php?artist=137
Palm Desert, California: http://www.codagallery.com/palm_desert/art/index.php?artist=137
Sante Fe, New Mexico: Giacobbe Fritz Gallery. http://www.giacobbefritz.com/works/helper/bsteele.htm
This artist is similar to Robert Jackson in that both take a very humorous approach to painting. The works of this artist not only have the tools of great painting such as color and composition, but in most of his works he makes references to artists of the past.
One picture to look at is the first one in the gallery. A non chain movie theater with one of Andy’s most famous works, Marilyn Monroe. The marquee even makes a mention of Andy’s old study in the 1960s, the silver factory. A similar idea is made when the artist uses Marilyn on what seems to be a very old and weather worn farm building.
In the second painting from the top we have Munch’s famous painting the Scream. If you remember the television series Roseanne, one of the kids had it hanging in their bedroom. Here it is used as a logo for a fictitious beverage company.
Although the artist is realist I love the fact he paid homage to Abstract painters of well. The work which I remember about the artist the most was this fantastic work with a spray painted image ( the artist painted it so it looked spray painted) of Jackson Pollack and it is titled Jack the Ripper. This man loves art history. For those of us who love art history each work might be considered a “rebus.” A rebus is a puzzle made of signs or symbols. Its great fun to see if you can recall names of the artists who he refers to.
The artist was born in 1977 in Kennewick, Washington. He attended college at the University of Utah studying painting and drawing. He now lives and works in Halper, Utah.
Another favorite series of paintings by the artist are those that mix children’s drawings books with famous figures of the art world. In one artwork the makes reference to the Ma and Pop farm couple done by Grant Wood. In another made up children’s book he makes reference to Andy Warhol. Yet another wonderful piece was done with Chuck Close as the subject with cigarettes lying on top. By leaving the coloring semi finished the piece has a super fresh feel to it.
He has appeared in national art magazines American Art Collector and Southwest Art. Southwest Art named him one of the 21 artists under 31 years of age to watch.
No art homework today, relax and do some drawing. Just a pen or pencil and white sheet of paper!
Happy painting!
D
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