Future Work and shows

Hey guys, Al here with the latest,

I just wanted to bring you all up to date, as it’s been a while since I've posted on the blog, which has been the case for the last couple of months.

The last few months have been a very fruitful and enjoyable time for producing artwork. I have had at least four shows, three major shows in one pop-up, and it looks like I will have one more show coming up later this year.

The last show that I know of currently is at a place called the Misdemeanor Meadows, which is another bar lounge that I have yet to attend, but I’ve gotten to know a few people who actually work there. This particular show will feature myself and three other artists that I know of, Chris Haberman, Matt Schlotzky, and curator Adam Sheppard.

I’m looking forward to this particular show and turning out some new 8”x8” pieces of artwork that I’m going to be posting up in the latest for the images that I’ve been able to turn out right now.

Lupo Rojo Blood Moon. 8”x8” Scratchboard

But now I have to turn my attention to how to monetize the work. There seems to be a threshold that I have reached with my work, and now it’s a matter of getting the work out to the general public to be able to see. It’s not a matter that people don’t like the work. It’s a matter of their being able to buy what they can on demand.

I’ve been trying to look into using AI such as ChatGPT to help me formulate some sort of a game plan as how to minimize and use the best potential selling point and place to sell my work on demand. I’ve looked at a couple of sites, but I’ve never liked some of them because the interface wasn’t user-friendly.

But I am looking to get into other mediums, whether or not AI will help me or not. I am still working on artwork and challenging myself with new mediums to add to the scratchboard and make it pop.

I have also been working on spreading out work into t-shirts with limited success with friends.

https://www.stickermule.com/dff417293639371/item/18629413?origin=PUBLIC_PROFILE

And with that, this kid is off to make more images.

April Showers

Hey there Sports Fans, Al here with the latest:

So, the beginning of April started off to a crazy start for me, as another of my pieces sold within the first week of being up. I've been pretty fortunate to have such a quick turnaround for the shows that I have been in.

Images from the sold pieces from the Goodfoot Lounge Show, January 2025.

That means that a lot of the money that I have collected has immediately been used to resupply art materials (more boards and etching tools, varnish, wood glue, and wooden frames).

Posing with my piece while in my work uniform - how mortifying.

Target Earth Add Ons 2 - placement. A photo taken about 20 minutes after piece left the show.

More large-scale prints have been made and are available to be shown at more shows in the future.

Large Scale Prints 18”x24” from Pearl Printing.

I am excited by this process because even though there has been a lot of movement in the work over the last couple of months, I know that the cost is still something that people bite their collective tongues on.

Ouch.

Also, there has been a huge increase in productivity for the work. Lots of new imagery and concepts are being explored. It's as if a dam had broken open and spilled out with wild out-of-this-world ideas.

T-shirts and magnets are the thing! Currently, I have been working with Stickermule.com to produce both. The new “Flick the Switch” tee and magnets (of the same image). The magnets are something new to the list of items that I have been working on.

Flick the Switch T-shirt design https://www.stickermule.com/dff417293639371/item/17510210

In Other News:

Possible job as a curator.

Now this is a concept for me that I had played around with. Over the years I have watched closely how art shows were and have been done in the past from several other places around the Portland metro area and a few other galleries in the Washington State area.

There are several common themes and then there are a few items that change depending on the curator.

Chris Haberman and Jason Brown had putting on group shows for years by the time I moved to Portland. All great group shows gave any artist the chance to present your creations.

Joey Mass was the first. He saw the potential in the work that I was doing for Habberman and Brown in the group shows. And based upon that drive gave me my first solo show.

But there was something else I wanted to do while creating. Curating.

So I started to take notice of other galleries that I had been to around town (Bite Studios or the Guardino Gallery, Verum Ultimum Art Gallery) I noticed the way shows have presented the work.

All this comes down to the choice of stepping onto the stage.

I am keeping a bunch of things close to the vest as I begin my pitch for doing something

AND NOW SOME OTHER SHOW NEWS:

Within this week (the 18th of April to be specific), I do have another show going up this week. The majority of the 18”x24” Pasquinade Project pieces, along with others that have been completed at the end of the Goodfoot Show run, will be going up at a new place here in Portland called Flattop and Salammander.

The outside of the Flattop and Salamander Cafe.

Gallery Block

These are example images. Double-click here to replace these images with your own content. Learn more

What’s unique about this place is that the show will be up for a couple of months. Unlike other shows that I have been in the time of place is open 7 days a week but from 8AM till 3PM. so most of my regular show attendees probably won’t be able to come to the show. Like me, most of them are 9-5 Monday through Friday with the weekends scheduled with their pets and /or kids.

But a different kind of crowd might be just thing that pushes the work forward.

Blue Dog Group

Hey there, sports fans, Al here with the latest;

It’s been a while since I have added a blog to the webpage but I figured I should probably do something because I’ve been so stuck doing artwork of recent times that I haven’t been able to spend a lot of time talking about our new productions on new material.

I don’t usually get into the politics game on anything with anybody because I think it’s a waste of time in my personal opinion - everybody gets so wrapped up in their opinions of who does what.

Makes me crazy.

But instead of falling on someone's sword I decided to throw my hat into the political ring, and state this - I want Blue the Bulldog to be my candidate, so it was with great fondness that I managed to get a great snapshot of him and turn it into a piece of artwork, along with a top hat that Uncle Sam would be proud of, and now lo and behold there is a T-shirt with that says "a Vote for Blue is a vote for you!".

I can’t do any better than that. I also have some pins made of the same thing (image) with just Blue's head on a couple of items. Blue Pin Finished is one item that just got placed up. I'm hoping to have these ready to sell here within the next couple of weeks at my store Alan Bennett on Stickermule. Hopefully, I’ll be able to link the link in and you’ll be able to go directly to Sticker Mule to buy your shirt there if you want. Anyway, there you go some new stuff as always and fun to design. I’ve got new artwork coming your way with some new 8" x 8" images that are gonna be hopefully ready for another show a little bit later this year when it happens I will give you the heads up.

The Blue the Bulldog pin. Swag that is being added to the t-shirt collection.

Thanks, Alan. 

Talks, show and revelations

The biggest thing that my friend also pointed out to me at the show was that they were the other artist I didn’t see there at the opening I was the only one there

In the process also was how the artwork stood out from the others on the wall know this was his description not mine. But black and white, especially big, black and white pieces have a tendency to stand out amongst most of the color stuff so they definitely stood out.

12”x16” “Love Machine” now owed by a new collector. Goodfoot Lounge Art Opening Feb 29th, 2024.

At the same time also, there’s a lot of extra work that were done on each one of these pieces whether it be an 8 x 8, a 12 x 16, or an 18 x 24.

People can see the effort that’s done in these individual pieces of work. That’s the reason why my stuff has a tendency to grab people’s attention. My friend had also mentioned to me that if you’re doing the work just to crank stuff out, that’s one thing, but if you’re doing it because you’re driven to it, which I know I am, I love working on artwork, it makes me feel creative and whole and gets a lot of ideas out of my head on the paper or on the board in this case. 

So many more pieces left to mount on wood and varnish. Sorry about the mess. Y’know artists.

Remember have often talked about in previous posts, how are some artists are stuck in the creative mode and not so much and trying to work on figuring out how to sell them selves. That’s where I’ve been. I need to branch out if I’m ever going to make it as an a successful artist I need to branch out and start focusing on how to not only crank stuff out putting great ideas out there but allowing pieces to breathe, and that means by making prints, T-shirts, posters, and stickers. StickerMule

I think that the show was exactly what I needed to have happen to kick me in the ass and start moving again instead of sitting in my little hole coming out from time to time and get some notice.

End of the Year 2023 - A review

Hey there, Sports Fans; Al here with the latest:

Just a leap of faith!

Well, it has come around again, that special time of the year when you see the old man with the scythe walk away with a downtrodden look, a look of weariness that can only be described as a "Thank God, that's over!". 

I, like so many people and not just Americans, mind you (even though they constantly surround me. And I happen to be one.), am just tired of the constant news feed of fear and loathing of our species: war, disease, classism, diversity, equality VS equity.

And that is real life crashing down on creatives like myself. 

All artists are empathic to some degree; otherwise, we wouldn't be able to render our work the way we do. We are giving you, the public, the heart that beats within every one of us.

But this has been a hard year for the kid.

The relocation to a new environment and feeling settled has always been an elusive goal. Over this last Christmas break from work, I was able to spend some time with my younger brother, who is in basically the same financial boat that I am. I voiced a fear that I never felt settled. There is a reason why I still have things in cardboard boxes around my apartment: I never know when I am going to get that typed or handwritten letter. "You are going to need to move. We need the space ... blah, blah, blah". 

This is nothing new to anybody else, but if you have moved as many times as I have over the decades. I don't feel settled. I probably won't till I kick it- six feet down, ash and all. And I have seen a bit of Death's handiwork that recently, up close and personal. 

And what of artwork?

A group of prints of work that I have been doing along with a lot of swag this last year.

Art has been a trial this year, BUT There has been an uptick in work sales and associated material. I have managed to navigate a show, get the frames for it, and prep for another art show for the upcoming year. The commissions have been a big help in alleviating the finance of paying for the new materials needed for a show. 

And for that, I am grateful. 

So, what do I hope for next year?

12”x16” Scratchboard Commission #3 of the USS Enterprise 1701. “The Mutara Nebula”

That a few world conflicts come to a close. No more war; atrocities are accounted for, and the world's emotions are on a decline. People would stop being rude to each other. Those are always lofty hopes.

But on a closer and personal nature, I would hope that I would have found success in selling the artwork and having successful art shows around town as well as the merchandise that I have been working on currently.

One of the Sunrises in town on the way to work.

And the judgment is?

2023 is gone — no more than a fart in the wind. Things are always going to change; people are going to fight and die over stupid things rather than embrace breathing in the air or watching a sunrise. New friendships will be forged, and old friendships will continue to age like fine wine. 

I'm an artist who loves to draw and illustrate. I love a good story, and I love a good beer. 

I am looking forward to the new year. 

Less than a week left to go for Half and Half art show!

Hey there, sports fans! Al here with the latest;

Hey, I wanted to let you guys know that the half-and-half show is coming to a close within the next week or so.

A image of the show before opening.

It’s been successful, though no actual artwork was sold, but that wasn’t the point.

The idea was to get the artwork to the public so they could see what I’ve been working on. And the reaction has been fantastic!

With that being said, there are now prints that will be available soon enough, and T-shirts Have already been made based on the image of “Blast Off!” I’m really excited about this because I’m starting to get into the idea of doing posters, prints, and T-shirts again.

T-shirt design based off of “BLAST OFF!” https://www.stickermule.com/u/dff417293639371/item/13258343

I’ve made a few little videos listed here from TikTok and one that is actually a short version from Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/850885956743417 and just with a little Beastie Boys to add.

Soon, it’ll be time to head back into the show in the limelight again, but before that happens, I will have some other stuff ready to go for that show: the shirts, the prints, it may be an original piece or two.

I’ll have to confirm with my art show partner, Dan Depaolo, to see if he wants to get another table together. Like me, I think he has started to feel the need to get our work back out. There’s so other people can see it, and we work well together selling each other‘s work when the other isn’t there. I will say it’s been fun.

And with that, this kid is out of here, but check out the links for the shirts, and I’ll be making the prints available here soon enough.

Half and Half Art Show - an UPDATE.

Hey there, sports fans, Al here with the latest;

The new month is nearly upon us (it is now).

So the Half and Half Art show is about to race into next week on Tuesday. It had been pushed back one week by the curator, Ace Troy, of the Slingshot Lounge.

Unfortunately, Troy got back to me after I had already made a poster design and set an invite on Facebook and other invites online. But I should say that that should be expected when you’re dealing with other artists. Communication always seems to be lacking when we’re trying to communicate with each other because we’re all involved in our projects. 

Two of the featured pieces for the Half and Half Art show!

That being said, things are moving forward at a good pace. Again, unfortunately, I am done with my three-week vacation. In that time, I have managed to finish off one commission, start another, complete the work set up for the show, and get a couple more pieces and individual pieces done for another show later on, so it is not nearly a lousy vacation as some people might think. 

Blast Off! t-shirt design!

Get Ahead another t-shirt design.

There’s also been some new stuff dealing with T-shirt designs. So I’m excited about that because I haven’t done T-shirts in a while, and these are being made to order, not unlike prints.

What's been going on?

Hey there, sports fans, Al here with the latest:

Well, I have tried posting something new in the last month, but nothing happened to stick to landing. That is until I decided to take a staycation to work on artwork that had been sorely overlooked and neglected due to moving and other living things.

Image of the Pasquinade Project - “A Pitcher is Worth a 1000 Words” in progress. 18”x24”.

“The Wode Less Traveled” 18”x 24” Scratchboard. The transfer sheet is completed and soon to be scratched out.

So eight out of ten pieces of the Pasquinade Project were finally varnished, and the last two are being completed.

And on top of that, also working on a new poster for Sady Starkiss and Heavy Metal art show.

I still need to come up with a good name for that show. I might christen it "Back, Villain! Show."

I realize that a better-drying group of boxes is needed for off-gassing than cardboard. One day, I can hope to either find a flat file system that I use for the 12" x16" pieces that can accommodate 18" x24" work without breaking the bank.

An image from outside of my apartment of the off-gassing boxes. Need better storage than these.

But I still need to get to that point. But I am always keeping my fingers crossed.

Also, I realized during my staycation (and as delightful as it was not being bothered) I found myself falling into the intoxicating realm of the pure creative process.

During a break after work and heading to a friend's art show on film noir (which was very cool, by the way). My friend Leslie had asked me if I was completed with Richard Parker.

I had said I was done with the work, and it was formatted, but finding a publisher and an editor is very hard.

It reminded me of immensely talented artists I have known over the years, and they just seemed like they couldn't take that last step.

I had fallen into that same trap. It's almost a narcotic, in a way, addicted to creation. Years ago, I had a conversation that touched upon this very topic. And it was hard to stop then as it is now.

Only then was there a difference in the need to create artwork and produce as much as possible? Only back then was a need to express ideas, this time as finished pieces.

I feel that I haven't had the luck of having a show or even being asked to do a show this year seems - odd.

Whatever the reason I am not privy to, I will complete this work and be ready to go.

Life is Pesky

Hey there sports fans, Al here with the latest,

I know it's been a while since I've posted anything recently. And well, as I've said it once, and I'll repeat it. 

Real life gets in the way of the creative side of things. And emotions like there do happen to flare up from time to time. Because of that, they can hugely influence how the creative side of a person's personality comes out. Or not in my case. I was letting others' conflicts invade my personal space, and I just had to stop and deal with that. What a draining experience.

BUT I just wanted to let you know that things are moving forward with the Pasquinade Project; as far as artwork is concerned, I have five out of seven pieces almost wholly done. It’s just a matter of Hi-Rez scans and then matting and framing, and then there will be a new show.

If you look at the new Pasquinade Project pieces, there will be at least seven pieces, possibly eight depending on what is needed to fill the space with all the work being done. It looks like it’s coming together, and from the reactions, I’ve seen from people when I’ve shown him the group together seems to be a very positive reaction.

Another topic of conversation. "The Watery Adventure of Richard Parker," and I have yet to get this book formatted. For one reason or another, I’ve been putting it off because I’ve been having a hard time focusing on the idea of just doing the physical part of the book. It’s not a creative process; therefore, like so many other artists, I’m just not into it, but I have to force myself to get this book done.

Here is a list for the Pasquinade Project: (as it stands so far) The Pasquinade Project should include the classic Star Trek letter font for this work, except for the title of the art show poster.

Number One: Juicebox. A need for something refreshing turns deeply into something quite unnatural. Colloquial Title: Ask, and ye shall receive.

Number Two: Target Earth. Otherworldly intervention of alien influence on our primal ancestors leaving the distinct racial memory of being probed. Colloquial Title: Tag and release.

Number Three: Duality of the Singularity. The isolated A.I. clad in boilerplate hitting it's thermal limits of its positronic overload of data input under the collapse of known physical laws. Colloquial Title: The gravity of new situations on the horizons.

Number Four: Bacon and Eggs. The Supreme Intelligence contemplating its control over minions of a simian nature with the most base desire for sustenance. Colloquial Title: A good way to start off your day.

Number Five: “The Martian that fell to Earth. “No one would have believed in the early years and a 21st century that an intelligence greater than our own would surely draw his plans against us.” Colloquial Title: “Ack Ack Ack” translation - “I’m sooo angry!”

Number Six: “The Unknown Co-monk”. Set adrift from his humble beginnings in mass media, now fights against boredom with martial mastery of the paper bag technique. Colloquial Title: Bang a gong, get yerself gone!

Number Seven: “Blast Off!” Sady Starkiss rockets out into the infinite comic space way carried away upon Heavy Metal’s thrumming motors only to catch passers-by notice while on his way to earthly invasion and ultimately world domination. Colloquial Title: More thrust!

Here is a visual link for the work that has been worked on https://www.tiktok.com/@alanjohnbennett/video/7107101079900572974?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7019629005599311365