Gary Bennett became interested in art as a result of his experiences during the Viet Nam War and the social upheaval in the United States in the mid to late 1960's. In his early twenties, intense psychiatric therapy and comparative literature would eventually lead him to music and painting as vehicles for psychological and spiritual healing.

Mr. Bennett studied jazz, classical piano and music theory with several teachers from 1972-1982.

During brief employment with an architectural firm in San Francisco, exposure to the visual arts inspired him to switch from music to painting and drawing. In 1982, under the influence of the works of the New York School of Abstract Expressionists of the late 1940's and early 1950's, Mr. Bennett began painting studies in the studio of Rod Morrell in San Francisco, with heavy emphasis in color composition and design. After brief stints with a series of teachers in the Bay Area, he became connected to the Atelier of David Hardy in Oakland in 1986. Over the next 14 years, Mr. Bennett focused mainly on still-life drawing and painting, using oil and charcoal as his mediums, with special emphasis on color theory.

Mr. Bennett currently attends a figure drawing workshop held at Bellingham Art on Tuesday nights and is also a member of an established art group of several members.

Education

Rod Morrell, San Francisco, 1982-1983; Abstract Expressionism; design and color; acrylics, mixed media.

DeYoung Museum School of Art, 1983, oil painting

Sam Provanzano, San Francisco, 1983-1985; Abstract Expressionism; design, figure, landscape and still-life painting and drawing; acrylics, charcoal, mixed media.

DeYoung Museum School of Art, San Francisco, 1985-1986; Representation, Abstract Expressionism, figure drawing; watercolor, oil, charcoal.

Jerry Fresia, San Francisco, 1993-1995; Impressionism; oil.

Doug Restivo, Oakland/San Francisco, 1990-1994; figure and landscape drawing; charcoal.

Atelier of David Hardy, Oakland, 1986-2000; Classical Realism (still life); oil, charcoal; color theory.

Andy Ameral/Roberto Zamora, Oakland, 1999-2000; human anatomy, figure drawing.

Expertise

Color theory

Oil painting - still life

Charcoal, graphite and chalk drawing

Exhibitions

2001               One-man show, Clayworks, Old Fairhaven,

                      Bellingham, Washington.

2002               Two-man show, Allied Arts, Bellingham,

                      Washington.

2003                Group show, "The Human Form", Allied Arts,

                       Bellingham, Washington.

2003 - 2004       Group show, Mindport, Bellingham, Washington.

2004                 Group show, "Gem of an Evening", 8th annual

                        fundraiser, at Whatcom Museum, Bellingham,

                        Washington.

2007                  One-man show, Unity Church, Bellingham,

                        Washington.

2008                  Group show, Whatcom Museum of Art and

                         History, "Art and All that Jazz", Bellingham,

                         Washington.

2010                   Group exhibition, Olivia Cornwell Gallery, Bellingham,

                          Washington.

Collections

Richard Adams

Candace Buethom

Rainy and Ben Fackler-Adams

Publications

 Bellingham Weekly, 11/26/03 

Art Access, 12/03 - 1/04

Preview, The Gallery Guide, 11/03-12/03, 1/04

Northwest Events, 2/04

The Bellingham Herald, 12/25/03

Entertainment News Northwest, 2/06

Whatcom Museum of Art and History, "Art and All that Jazz", catalogue