Bio

Before I got interested in visual arts I explored other creative interests such as writing and music when I was younger. Out of high school I went to Berklee College of Music, then shifted to Northeastern University, and then returned to the Bay Area exploring more creative outlets at Academy of Art. Years later I pursued traditional approaches to fine art from exceptional teachers at College of Marin. I am inspired by the works of art that came before me that leave lasting impacts and impressions on the mind, soul, and heart. Finding visual arts as an important guide to my life, I am open-eyed towards complimenting colors in both intense and neutral hues where the combination of the two synthesizes a complex, but not complicated, relation. Currently, I work out of a small studio in Sausalito. My art is found in private collections - mostly in California - but reaches internationally to Mexico.

  • Exhibitions

    Solo Exhibitions:

    2023:

    The Tamalpais Marin, Solo Exhibition, Greenbrae, “Threads,” (August-September)

    2022:

    Town Books, Solo Exhibition, San Anselmo, “Local Vistas,” (September-October)

    Group Exhibitions:

    2023:

    Atlantic Gallery, Group Exhibition, New York, “Connections VII,” (July)

    UC Hastings College of Law, Group Exhibition, Curated by Esther Mallouh, San Francisco, “Ripples,” (March 2023-February 2024)

    2022:

    College of Marin Fine Arts Gallery, Group Show of Craig Coss’s students, Kentfield, CA, “Pulse of Painting,” (January-February)

    Juried Exhibitions:

    2024:

    Haggin Museum, Stockton, Juried by Gina Werfel and Joe Mariscal, "62nd Stockton Art League," September-October

    Belvedere Tiburon Library, Tiburon, "Making Art in a Changing World: Capture the Possible," September-November

    Gearbox Gallery, Juried by Nancy Toomey, Oakland, "Reclaimed/Repurposed," September-October

    Artworks Downtown, Juried Exhibition, Juried by Pamela Comfort and Bonnie Zahn Griffith, San Rafael, “Pastel Panache,” (April-May)

    O’Hanlon Center for the Arts, Juried Exhibition, juried by Bonnie Powers & Jeffrey Levin, Mill Valley, “Dualities,” (January-February)

    Belvedere Tiburon Library, Juried Exhibition, Tiburon, “Colors in Art: Voices Soft and Loud,” (January-February)

    Falkirk Cultural Center, Juried Exhibition, Juried by TaVee Lee, San Rafael, “A Gathering of Color,” (January-February), 3rd Place

    2023:

    Marin Society of Artists, Juried Exhibition, Juried by Nancy Roberts, San Rafael, “Expressions 2023,” (June)

    Inter-Society Color Council, Juried Exhibition, Juried by Danielle Siembieda and Mark Fairchild, New York, “Completely Color,” (June)

    Artworks Downtown, Juried Exhibition, Juried by Kim Eagles-Smith, San Rafael, “Landscape Perspectives,” (June-July)

    Voss Gallery, Juried Exhibition, Juried by Haylee Barsky, San Francisco, “Postcards from Paradise,” (May-June)

    Arc Gallery, Juried Exhibition, Juried by Ashley Voss, San Francisco, “Kaleidoscope,” (May-June)

    O’Hanlon Center for the Arts, Juried Exhibition, Juried by Orin Carpenter, Mill Valley, “New Perspective,” (February-March)

    Marin Society of Artists, Juried exhibition, Juried by Kim Eagles-Smith, San Rafael, “Water,” (February-March)

    2022:

    San Fernando Valley Arts and Cultural Center, Juried Show, Juried by Jeanne Medina Le, Encino, CA, “Uncommon Threads” (Online Exhibition)(August)

    Artworks Downtown, Juried exhibition, Juried by Vanessa Indies, San Rafael, “Contemporary Botanicals,” (April-May)

    O’Hanlon Center for the Arts, Juried exhibition, Juried by Carole Beadle, Mill Valley, “Fiber Arts,” (March-April)

    O’Hanlon Center for the Arts, Juried exhibition, Juried by Suzanne Gray, Mill Valley, “Monochromatic,” (February-March)

    2021:

    Exhibizone, Juried Show, Online Exhibit, “Nuditas,” (October-November)

    Cabrillo Gallery, Juried Show, Juried by Clark Buckner, Aptos, CA, “Moving Images: pause…restart”, (Online Exhibit)(October-November)

    Artworks Downtown, Juried Show, Juried by Camillo Villa, San Rafael, CA, “Skulls and Roses,” (October-November)

    Marin Society of Artists, Juried Show, Juried by Josh Paquette and Josh Otten, San Rafael, CA, “All About Women,” (Online Exhibit)(August-October)

    Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Juried Show, Juried by LeeAnn Brook, Carmichael, CA, “Bold Expressions,” (September-October)

    Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Juried Show, Juried by Myrna Wacknov, Carmichael, CA “Go With The Flow” (August-September)

    San Fernando Valley Arts and Cultural Center, Juried Show, Juried by Quinton Bemiller, Encino, CA, “Artopia” (Online Exhibition)(August)

    Marin County Fair (Virtual), Juried Show, Marin County, CA, 2nd Place and Honorable Mention (July)

    O’Hanlon Center for the Arts, Juried Show, Juried by Natasha Boas, Mill Valley, CA, “Local Inspiration” (June-August)

    Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, Juried Show, Juried by Susan Snyder, Novato, CA “ConVERGEnce” (May-July)(Accepted though not exhibited)

    Awards:

    2024:

    3rd Place, Falkirk Cultural Center, “A Gathering of Color”

    Publications:

    2023:

    COM Literary Magazine (May)

    Open Studios and Retail:

    ICB Open Studios (December 2022)

    Marin Open Studios (May 2022)

    Philz Coffee Shop, Corte Madera, CA (July 2021-Present)

    ICB Open Studios (December 2021)

    Marin Open Studios (May 2021)

for all inquiries:

benbenetart@gmail.com