This Fall Allen Bentley joined the SAL artist speaker series. He gave an informative and entertaining artist talk.

 

Q.  What is main the idea behind your work? 

A.  I explore the relationship between couples through motion. Motion has been pivotal in my work since college. Even my still-lifes seemed to be shifting. The relationship idea is my way to tell these small stories of pushing, pulling, flirting, chasing and so on that provides a glimpse into how we interact with another.

 

Q.  Who are your favorite artists?

A. On the mantle in my head, I keep a shifting group of artist that I look to but a few that seems to stay up there are Franz Kline, Will Cotton, Robert Godfrey, and Chris Lyon.

 

Q.  What provides you with inspiration?

A. For me, it's all about the mark making. Seeing a good line turn a form is amazing.  Also, drawing from life is easily one of my favorite activities in life.  It is thrilling every single time. It's like a high wire act. Failing is so easy when working from a live model that it makes getting a good drawing exhilarating.

 

Q.  What is your favorite medium and why?

A. Working in oil for painting and charcoal for drawings. Oil just has a life to it that is hard to find elsewhere. Charcoal is a wonderfully raw tool to make marks with.

 

Q. Have you tried using different mediums and styles of artwork?

A.  Every now and again, I sculpt something. I do a lot of photography. Sometime soon, I need to get back to printmaking. I love the process behind that way of image making. Right now, I have a painting series going that is inspired by the motion of water. The series is mainly an excuse to make some large abstract work where motion and mark making are the focus.  I'm best when I'm playing so I find it important to follow my wild ideas even if I don't get much sleep.