Friday, May 29, 2009

More info on my Mentor

Here is Benny Alba's studio where she does most of her work.  This picture only shows about a quarter of this studio.  The building also includes areas for three more work spaces she rents out, an upper storage unit,  a garage, front gallery, office and library!  

One thing that impressed me besides her being a fourth generation artist is that she started showing in museums before galleries.  She has the chutzpah and drive that I can readily relate to.  So far (fingers crossed) we seem to have hit it off pretty well.  Along with the work she has me do, she is generous enough to share tips on doing almost everything that needs to be done [ from setting up a ladder to cutting matboard easier] throughout the day.  One of her apprentices rents a studio space from her and her work is fantastic too!  Another thing I love is that Benny did not attend art school, [she has a BA in psychology which she used for Crisis Counseling for a time] and she is used to 'black humor' that cops and Emergency personnel use to get through a traumatic event.   I love her current series called BONfire.  Why don't you check it out here?

I have the kids for the next few days so I am going to work on some project and hopefully will have something to post soon.  Thank you for your patience! hugs!

21 comments:

Quwwa said...

Great work, looks like you hit it big huh? ;-) Take care and keep us posted.

Unknown said...

Sheila, her work is so impressive! how wonderful to have a giving and talented mentor. You can feel the power radiating from her studio, it must be so inspiring to go there. Have fun with the kids!
sending you many hugs....

maddsketch said...

that is so awesome! so happy for you! oh and thnx for ur comments =)

Paintings by Irit Bourla said...

Sound like a great fun for you.
What a beautiful work.
Thanks for sharing I love to read your stories because you live them.
Enjoy the kids and write more soon.
Hugs and kisses, IB

L.Holm said...

Hi, Sheila! such a cool place to work. Glad you have found such a good mentor, and one with a sense of humor, to boot! Sounds like she shares your entrepreneurial spirit and energy. Enjoyed seeing her work on the web site. Birchfield is one of my favorite artists, so I'm partial to that series.
Have a great weekend. Look forward to seeing your new work and reading about your adventures whenever you post them. hugs! Liz

suzanne cabrera said...

This is terrific Sheila! Sounds like a great opportunity to learn.

Michelle said...

Sounds like a great opportunity and a lot of fun! Hope it all works out well for you!

Mary Paquet said...

Sheila, what a terrific opportunity, but of course, opportunities are worth nothing unless you grab onto them, and you have! You are gutsy and gifted. I checked out your mentor's work -- very nice. I loved her Gallery One in particular. I'm sure you will learn a lot, and the people you meet will be invaluable in your fine art career.

Can't wait to see your next painting.

Unknown said...

Sheila, you can make it big, as your mentor. Wish you have a greater success,

Cheers and have a blessed day everyday,

Unknown said...

Sheila, this free plan for building your own easel link is for you:

http://bengrosser.com/easel/

James Parker said...

My goodness, Sheila...what an interesting opportunity and adventure you're starting on. Anxious to see how it progresses, and I hope super luck for ya. Have a good time with the kiddos.

Stephen Dell'Aria said...

What an ambitious undertaking you've started. Best of luck. It must be a blast.

Charlene Brown said...

Can't believe you've found time to apprentice yourself! But what a great idea, and thank you for telling us about your progress.

carrie jacobson said...

Sheila, congratulations on your apprenticeship! I know you will make the most of it. Wouldn't surprise me if you had your own apprentices, in just the blink of an eye! Hope you have a great weekend with your children, too. I'm so happy for you!

Nina Jørgensen said...

Nice! And her work is amazing!

Manon said...

Benny's work is amazing! You are a lucky girl Sheila!

Kim VanDerHoek said...

What a wonderful learning experience! I hope you enjoy your time there.

Kathleen Krucoff said...

Isn't it great to have a mentor! Benny sounds terrific; how wonderful for you....and I know you will share and be a wonderful mentor for people too.

Gail H. Ragsdale said...

So great! I'm jealous!

Dean Grey said...

Damn, Benny's studio is ridiculously huge!

I'm so jealous!

What a great opportunity for you, Sheila!

Not only will you learn the business side of things like you mentioned but you'll pick up painting tips along the way too.

Think of all the creative people you'll bump into.

How exciting!

Be sure to keep us updated on how it all goes.

-Dean

r garriott said...

Wow! What an exciting opportunity, Sheila! VERY COOL. Sounds like you have some things in common, too.Can't wait to hear what you learn next.