A Good Cold Snap

My apologies for not keeping updates available about our wonderfully healthy and beautiful son. If you follow us on Facebook this may seem like a strange statement given that Ben is about one week past the end of a very wicked cold virus. Let me explain so that you will better understand our "glee" in regards to this recent illness.

Ben was a pretty sick kid about this time two weeks ago. We knew it was bad because our boy ended up oxygen dependent for almost a week after it was all said and done. In the past (and I mean distant past - knock on wood) something like this would've put him in the hospital faster than a Danica Patrick pit stop. Add in the seven days of antibiotics on his sensitive stomach and we had the makings of a pre-Christmas reunion in the local Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Joan also picked up the same virus and has been miserable for about two weeks. Given her suffering it seems that Ben has come a long way in kicking ass when it comes to illnesses that keep him down! All the credit goes to Ben due to the determination he has in building strength via physical and occupational therapies. I promise to post a few recent videos and pictures very soon of him being more rowdy than this particular photograph. I just couldn't help myself because that kid is just so darn cute!

Please keep in mind that we are still selling our art. Ben has several pieces available that I have yet to photograph. Plus we have even more mini canvases available including some with flip-flops (which seem to be a popular theme again this year). There is still time to mail these but I will need your orders very soon! Please consider these as a gift for those that you love - as much as we could use the income we know many folks are hurting even more than us. If you need a gift for a loved one and cannot afford it we will gladly send you some of these to make the season brighter.

Scenes of the Season

When Nurse Tracy has gone home the past few days Ben has chosen to sit in a position so that he can view the tree and our decorated mantelshelf at the same time. I've turned on Christmas carols for him. It has been a tremendous privilege to hear Ben sing smile, sing along, and just enjoy the beauty of our little spectacle. I will do my best to try and capture this on video but you know how much Ben hates the camera.

Go ahead. It's okay. I got teary-eyed when I took it and also when I uploaded it. It is so incredible how much Ben enjoys the simple pleasures of Christmas. He was so very excited to be a part of the decorating process this year.

After we decorated the tree this weekend I found two tired Angels needing some daddy-love. The pile of red hair in my lap is Jessie. I love being a father!

Some new mini canvases!

This is a 10" x 20" original on stretched canvas. Ready to hang!

Another new theme in the 10" x 20" size.

Please check previous posts for details or e-mail me at benwaddell@bellsouth.net.

How About Original Art for Christmas?

 More new mini canvases pictured with the easels!

 Close-up of minis - one displayed on an easel.

 We like the Cross, the Snowy Christmas Tree, and the Sea Turtle.

 10" x 20" original on stretched canvas. This is a new theme too!

10" x 20" original on stretched canvas.

 

New theme - new color palette - and already SOLD!

Contact me at benwaddell@bellsouth.net for details.

More Mini Canvases!

Here's a look at the first batch of this year's miniature canvases that I've turned out so far. Sorry they are a tad blurry - I missed my chance to capture these in daylight. Look for a few more photos tomorrow either here or on Facebook! Also you can click on each of the photos to get a closer look.

Once again they are $5 each but if you purchase five you can pick out a 6th one for free! I also have some miniature easels that you can display these on. Those are also $5 each. I'll have a picture of those tomorrow as well. E-mail me at benwaddell@bellsouth.net to order or for more information.

The Mini Canvases Have Returned!

Once again we are doing min-canvases for the gift-giving season! Currently we are taking pre-orders in a variety of themes including the "Peace, Love, and ?" series. Each one measures 2" x 3" and is an original painting on canvas! Also on order are miniature easels to display them on.

Give a gift of art this holiday season! I can personalize your canvas or let me know of another theme you might like. Some ideas include fish, ladies shoes, flip-flops, angels, Christian cross, Mr. Sunshine, Tiki faces, and cocktails.

I can attach a small bow to make a Christmas ornament or a magnet so you can display it on a refrigerator. Or display it on a small easel for just $5 more! If you work in one of those cubicle environments then hang it above your desk for a bright reminder of future vacations.

If your shopping for a teacher, a co-worker, or looking for a unique stocking stuffer a mini canvas would be perfect and affordable! The canvases are $5 each (plus shipping) - if you buy five I will throw in a sixth one for free! Also I have signed the back of each one.

To order or for more information e-mail me at benwaddell@bellsouth.net. The first ones will be ready to mail late next week. As always click on the images for a larger view.

Leftovers from Southport

Unfortunately my annual trip to Southport, North Carolina wasn't very good this year meaning that most likely it will no longer be on the schedule. I was able to barely break even just before the close of the third and final day. Although thankful that I didn't lose money next year I'd rather spend the holiday weekend with my family while it's 100 degrees and 100 percent humidity outdoors! Another thing that I won't miss is dealing with that nasty black dirt that covers Franklin Square.

Since my sales were down I brought home goodies for you art collectors to peruse. Each one of these acrylic paintings are 10" x 20" on canvas - ready to hang and no framing necessary. For the price of $75 one of these can be yours (I will even include the shipping which typically cost around $10 for these).

These have also been very good sellers for commission work. Just tell me the theme you'd like and the colors you would be interested in. Although these have been the most popular themes I've also added soccer balls, guitars, margaritas, and flowers. As always e-mail me at benwaddell@bellsouth.net if interested.

SOLD - I didn't even get to upload it! But I have one more of this theme completed and can do more.

New Paintings by Bennie

This is a new color scheme for the cocktail them. I'm also currently working on a commission using these colors for a "Peace, Love, & Flip-Flops" painting.

"My M&Ms!" - I have a version of this on a canvas that I've been unable to sell but I've been asked plenty of times for a print. I now have one available after completing this one on a sheet of 16" x 20" canvas paper.

"Primitive Coast"
16" x 20" acrylic on canvas

I started "Hello Sports Fans!" right after returning from the NFC Championship game in New Orleans back in January. It was fun taking the Mardi Gras mask idea and tying with the passion many have for their favorite team.

"Fleur de Lis" was also inspired by that trip to New Orleans. This is also acrylic on 16" x 20" canvas.

And Even More Mini Canvases

These are the latest ones I've completed which include some music themes and some sea creatures (click on the image for a closer look). Also I've completed (or at least almost in one case - need the straps of the flip-flops painted I just noticed) two 3" x 6" "signs." These look terrific in a kitchen, bathroom, or child's room hung with ribbon. I can personalize them as well with a name or some beloved quip (like "live, laugh, love"). There is still time to order and have your art delivered by Christmas! But e-mail me (benwaddell@bellsouth.net) as soon as possible!

Peace, Love, and New Art!

Just in time for Christmas (with plenty of time to ship) I have several new paintings now available. Each of them is an acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped canvas. The sides have been painted (no staples showing) so they are ready to hang on your wall right out of the shipping box...or out of that wrapped gift box from under the tree. Prices already include shipping!

Also tomorrow look for a BRAND NEW BEN & BENNIE PAINTING! We are quite proud of this one (and a few others to shortly follow). It's a totally new direction for our collaborative work. I don't want to spoil it so you'll have to check back tomorrow.

At the moment I am finishing up some orders of the mini canvases. Some of you were quite clever in choosing some ideas for images! In the next few days look for fish, music symbols, and a snow man. As always click on the images for a larger view of the paintings.

"Peace, Love & Ice Cream"
12" x 24"
$95

"Peace, Love, & Margaritas!"
12" x 24"
$95

"Peace, Love, & Martinis"
12" x 24"
$95

"Peace, Love, & Flip-Flops"
10" x 20"
$75

"My M&Ms"
24" x 12"
$95

For more information or details about ordering contact me at benwaddell@bellsouth.net.

The Minis Are Here!

For those following me on Facebook you already know I've been furiously working on these the last week or so. Each one measures 2" x 3" and is an original painting on canvas! If I didn't already wear glasses I certainly would need them now.

Give a gift of art this holiday season! I can personalize your canvas or let me know of another theme you might like. Some future creations include fish, ladies shoes, Mr. Sunshine, Tiki faces, and abstract symbols.

I can attach a small bow to make a Christmas ornament or a magnet so you can display it on a refrigerator. Or display it on a small easel! If you work in one of those cubicle environments then hang it above your desk for a bright reminder of future vacations.

If your shopping for a teacher, a co-worker, or looking for a unique stocking stuffer a mini canvas would be perfect and affordable! The canvases are $5 each (plus shipping) - if you buy five I will throw in a sixth one for free! Also I have signed the back of each one.

To order or for more information e-mail me at benwaddell@bellsouth.net. I may not be able to get back to you until Monday since I leave for Savannah, Georgia tomorrow for Christmas on the River. As always click on the images for a larger view.

New Paintings from the SoulShiner

I've kept busy during my off weeks in August. Despite my inventory unexpectedly not getting depleted I have the need to slap paint on a canvas. And as I said in the previous post I just can't seem to tap into Mick Jagger's need to "paint it black."

Yes, there are two pieces that are a bit more serious because I included some interesting quotes for a change but the passion for color obviously overwhelms me. But it kind of pisses me off that when troubles are mounting I continue to produce really decent work. I also find it strange how much I fancy Vincent Van Gogh's work and embrace the dark side his many "isolation" works. Most everyone unfamiliar with his background view his darkest themes as cheerful! Perhaps I should do a self-portrait sans an ear to reach a more serious side of me? Maybe that's the surface I've been scratching for 25 years now.

These are just few of the things I've completed and I'm working on another half dozen paintings...

"Good Day, Sunshine!"
I think this is like 18" x 24"? I could be wrong because I keep working on this guy.

"Perry the Pelican, Jr."
24" x 36" commission (right side)

"Petie & Penny the Pelicans"
24" x 36" commission (left side)

"Peace"
24" x 30" canvas

"Peace Too"
24" x 30" canvas

"Flamingo Flirts"
24" x 36" canvas

"Flip Flops"
16" x 20" canvas panel