Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Original Oil Painting "Tree and Friends" by Barry Benner

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We are thrilled to showcase an exquisite collection of original oil paintings by Barry Benner, an accomplished artist from Douglasville, … Read more We are thrilled to showcase an exquisite collection of original oil paintings by Barry Benner, an accomplished artist from Douglasville, Georgia. This original piece, measuring 31.8 inches in width and 25.8 inches in height (including the frame), is signed on the back and features a title taken from Benner's website, though it is not present on the painting itself. The artwork is executed in the Impasto style, showcasing the texture and richness of the paint in a three-dimensional way that invites the viewer to engage with the piece. While the depth and dimensionality of the paint are difficult to capture through digital images, we have taken multiple photos to provide a glimpse of the painting's tactile quality. These artworks are truly unique and one-of-a-kind, acquired from the Benner Estate. If you have any questions about this piece, please don't hesitate to ask

Barry Benner's artist statement explained how he had recently discovered painting as a verb rather than a noun at an advanced age, resulting in instinctive paintings that aimed to evoke a visceral reaction from viewers. He preferred oil paint for its fluidity, depth, and forgiveness, and typically used thick paint, although he also experimented with thinner layers. Benner strived for honesty in his paintings, such that viewers were surprised to find that the same artist painted two side-by-side pieces.

Benner's painting subjects included environmental scenes, abstracts, and symbolic images rendered in an abstract environment. He used heavy-handed strokes to penetrate beneath the surface glaze, and often included silhouetted figures that were detached from their surroundings to imply a lack of communication. The dimension added by reflected light when using dark colors was an aspect of thick paint that Benner particularly enjoyed.

When painting, Benner competed with the image in his mind, the evolving painting, and his expectations of what others would see. He was inspired by images, thoughts, and dreams that had resonated with him, hoping to stimulate similar responses in others through form, color, texture, or context. He believed that a painting should offer insights into its subject, rather than just being a representation of an object or a collection of colors and shapes. Ultimately, Benner hoped that his paintings left room for viewers to interpret them based on their own experiences and expectations. Sadly, Barry Benner passed away in September of 2022. See less