Live Event Painting Film

I have attached a link to a video about Live Event Painting that was produced by June Soh at Voice of America.  My work is the focus of the video.

http://www.voanews.com/content/artists-find-niche-capturing-events-unfold/1794558.html?nocache=1

24x36 by Patricia Bennett

A wonderful, beautiful, and generous bride agreed to have her wedding reception filmed.  Without her support, this film would not have been possible.

June Soh contacted me several months ago and asked if she could do a piece on Live Event Painting.  I love video and thought it sounded interesting.  I am happy with the result, I consider it to be a work of art.

Some of the quotes were taken out of context: I was interviewed for several minutes, but June selected only a few sentences (leaving out her questions).  I would like to iterate that I feel honored when someone allows me to paint their wedding, and that I think that their wedding is very important.  I think June asked me: Do you think that Weddings are the most Important things in History, and then used my response in the film!

Zoll STudio Art Show Opens today

You are invited to the Zoll Studio Art Exhibit, Opens Friday November 22, 6-9pm

I have three pieces in the show and will be at the opening tonight.

The Zoll Studio is owned by Matt Zoll, a hightly successful realist painter.

Parks and People Foundation, Elijah Cummings awarding Sally Michels

Parks and People Foundation Event at the Baltimore Rowing Club

Representative Elijah Cummings presented Sally Michels with an award

Parks and People Foundation Event, 24x24, painted by Patricia Bennett

 I was asked by the Parks and People Foundation to paint their event, October 27, 2013.  Previous to this, I had not heard of the Parks and People Foundation.  It is a thriving organization that has done a lot of good.

My aunt got married at this rowing club, so I was familiar with it, and looked forward to painting the striking view of Baltimore City and I-95.  I planned to arrive a couple of hours early to paint this, then I would paint the guests mingling on the deck.

However when I arrived there was a thick tent blocking the view completely, still up from the previous night's event.  And the event was being held in a free-standing tent, removed from the boathouse, completely covered with panels.  Also, there were no electrical outlets for my lamp in this tent, so when the sun went down, I would not be able to see.

I spoke to the catering staff and was able to set up inside of the building with a good view, seeing around the tent on the deck.  I painted for a couple of hours and had a very nice background of the water and the grass.  As guests arrived for cocktails, I moved into the event tent and painted the tables and chairs and Picnic Park sign.

Everything went very well until it began to get dark.  I could not see.  Luckily, one of the servers had a flashlight that she uses for fishing at night (not sure about why anyone fishes at night), and she let me borrow it.  I held it in one hand and painted with the other.  This is very awkward, and challenging, and I do not recommend it.

It was amazing to hear Rep. Elijah Cummings speak, he is extremely charismatic and just seems like a really generous person.  He was giving Sally Michels an award.  I added them afterwards at the request of the Picnic Parks liason.

Then I made a print and cards and gave them to the Parks and People Foundation.

Print Patricia Bennett designed for the Parks and People Foundation, available.

Bat Mitzvah at the Clarendon in Arlington Virginia

Bat Mitzvah Celebration at the Clarendon Ballroom, Arlington Virginia, painted by Patricia Bennett

Congratulations to the family!

Painting at the George Peabody Library signed, making cards and a print.

Reception at the George Peabody Library, 24x36, Patricia Bennett

There is no library that I have ever seen that can equal the George Peabody Library.  I tried to capture as much of it as I could fit in the canvas, and I squashed the architecture in order to fit in a hint of the skylight ceiling.

A gorgeous wedding reception, I captured the bride dancing with her father, and the groom dancing with his mother.  The cake is behind them, and the band is on the right.  The bride is also depicted sitting at her table with the groom.

I will make ten greeting cards and a framed 8x10 print, and then deliver the painting to them.

American Visionary Arts Museum Fundraiser, sponsored by Urban Chic

American Visionary Art Museum 2013 Fundraiser, 24x24, by Patricia Bennett

I was invited to paint at this event Thursday, November 7, 2013 and donated my performance.  And people liked it, especially as it came together.  The event was in the Jim Rouse building at the American Visionary Art Museum.

Patricia Bennett next to her painting at the AVAM event

 There was a runway fashion show.  Models walked, well, stalked, the catwalk with huge bouffant hair.  My "best-dressed" person was a lovely girl wearing a large peach tutu and white cashmere sweater.  There was a "demon" walking around selling raffle tickets.  He had wonderful large fluffy wings.  The ladies who promoted the event had flowers on their heads and were like woodland fairies.  All in all a fun whimsical event, which fit really well with the American Visionary Art Museum...  Maybe I'll purchase a ticket and come next year, I had a good time.

Delivered Baltimore Country Club Live Event Painting Today

24x36, Wedding Reception at the Baltimore Country Club , by Patricia Bennett

I delivered this painting to the wedding planner, Stephanie Bradshaw, today, as well as ten hand-made artisan greeting cards with a giclee image on them.  The couple will receive everything when they return from their Honeymoon.

Wedding Reception at the Grand Lodge, Hunt Valley, October 19, 2013 by Patricia Bennett

Congratulations to the lovely couple

Wedding Reception at the Grand Lodge, Hunt Valley, October 19, 2013 by Patricia Bennett

This was my first time at the Masonic Grand Lodge in Hunt Valley.  The room was stunning.  I arrived at 2:30, and met Mr. Levine, the very busy caterer.  Then I quickly set up in the ballroom.  There were 13 absolutely over the top gold chandeliers, and wall detailing and herring bone floors.  Two ladies arrived and set up gorgeous flower bouquets on tall vases.  The bride and groom had their own table, which was very special.  Chairs were green and gold.

June Soh, a photo-journalist from Voice of America arrived a couple of hours later.

June Soh contacted me in the spring of 2013 with the desire to do a story on Live Event Painting.  When she first called me, I thought she was trying to sell me a television set, but she explained that Voice of America is a government entity that does human-interest stories.  She asked me to find a couple who would let her film me painting their reception.  Later, June also wanted to film the hanging of the painting as well.  I looked June Soh up on the internet: she is very well-regarded and has won very prestigious awards.  Also, her stories are very good and genuinely interesting.  I felt that this could be a benefit for the bride, especially if they didn't already have a videographer.  So, I mentioned this to the bride, a day before her wedding.  She called June and spoke to her, and decided to do it.

It was a lovely evening.