Heather Bennett
This series is about acknowledging the humanity of others and thinking about our own biases toward people unlike ourselves. Presented are nine individuals of different races, backgrounds, and ages, in full figurative expressionist painting. Though many of them may be accepted more easily here in California, they would be looked down upon by the upper class and/or more conservative people in this country. At a time when there is so much hate perpetuated by the president-elect Donald Trump, the need to face our own prejudice towards people based on appearance and background is even more important. That being said, my subjects challenge the viewer to look them in the eyes and acknowledge them just as they are, when in real life we may avoid eye contact and keep walking. It is my goal to bring attention to the people who face discrimination in our society for one reason or another so that we may better grasp the humanity of these individuals. We cannot become so detached from those we consider lesser than ourselves that we forget how much we truly have in common. Therefore, this series is a study of humanity that encourages us all to face our own prejudice and sympathize with people not so unlike ourselves. Hopefully my subjects can offer a variety of perspectives on life and on how we view those around us. Though we may come from many different places and identify as many different things, we can't forget that which unites us and makes us all, quite simply, human.
That being said, every subject in this series is a person I have gotten to know personally and respect a great deal. Each painting is titled by the subjects themselves, based on what they wanted the viewers to know about them. Titles will be provided in clear sight along with their corresponding subjects.
Stylistically, I draw inspiration from pop artist Wayne Thiebaud, a cartoonist turned oil painter who first began turning heads with his playful paintings of cakes and pies in the 1960's. We already share a love of vibrant, subjective color, and his signature application of thick, creamy paint is visually appealing to me. Since I want my subjects to be looked at, I feel that this approach provides additional visual interest. The viewers need to spend more time looking at them than a passing glance.
Each piece in the series (minus the little girl) is done on 30"x 40" canvas. Acrylic paint was the primary medium, with ink and eyeshadow used as needed. I worked from top to bottom on each piece. Paint was applied with brush and fingertip, and I allowed my selection of abstract/subjective color to be spontaneous yet particular to each subject. The figures are built up with layers of acrlyic paint and transparent matte gel medium, the latter of which was used to increase the vibrancy of color and the thickness of paint on canvas. A final layer of matte gel medium is used as a varnish to protect the painting. Opaque gel was used to build up the creamy, thick paint for the space surrounding each figure.
Portrait of a Loving Father, acrylic on canvas, 40"H x 30"W
Portrait of a Compassionate Man, acrylic on canvas, 40"H x 30"W
Portrait of an Ordinary Girl, acrylic on canvas, 28"H x 29"W
Portrait of a Fine Artist, acrylic on canvas, 40"H x 30"W
Portrait of a Peaceful Soul, acrylic on canvas, 40"H x 30"W
Portrait of a Director, acrylic on canvas, 40"H x 30"W
Portrait of a Good Son, acrylic on canvas, 40"W x 30"W
Portrait of a Proud Mother, acrylic on canvas, 40"H x 30"W
Portrait of a Work in Progress, acrylic on canvas, 40"H x 30"W
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