Elton Bennett (1910-1974) of Hoquiam, Washington
Offered is a reproduction offset lithograph print of Rain on the River, circa 1968.
Elton Bennett admired the Japanese style of woodblock and silkscreen print making.
This piece echoes the serenity which was often a component in Japanese prints.
Rain on the River is a true Grays Harbor, Washington scene. Six rivers flow into the harbor, and rainfall often totals 85++ inches per year. Rain is a constant, comforting part of the lifestyle here in Washington.
The print is mounted with archival framing tape into acid free archival hand cut double mats which measure 12" X 16"
and presented in an archival clear protective sleeve.
This is a standard ready made frame size.
The image size of the print is 8" X 11"
His silkscreen work can be described as 'expressionistic realism'.
The print is mounted with archival framing tape into acid free archival hand cut double mats which
measure 12" X 16", and is presented in an archival clear protective sleeve.
This is a standard ready made frame size.
The image size of the print is 8" X 11"
My father was the artist who truly captured the Pacific Northwest.
His silkscreen work can be described as 'expressionistic realism'.
He was born into a working class family in a town that sits on the very edge of the west coast of the continental United States. It is an area with unsurpassed natural beauty, home of the Olympic National Park.
Elton Bennett
(1910-1974) attended the Portland Art Museum School of Fine Art immediately
following World War II. His first attempt at studying art had been derailed by
the onset of the Great Depression, and there were long, hard years of manual
labor before a glimmer of the dream could be rekindled. But those years
provided the context for his silkscreen work- scenes of the working riverfront,
the bustle of the commerce of the wharves, and his unflagging dedication to
providing artwork to people of every economic class.
His tenure at The
Portland Art Museum School opened new vistas and, most importantly, introduced
him to the Silkscreen /Serigraph printing process. Finally he had found
the way to create unique and constantly evolving artwork while maintaining his
absolute belief in providing affordable artwork.
Hi
silkscreen art portrays his beloved Pacific Northwest. His signature style of
expressionistic realism speaks to those who relish the fog and mists of our
beaches, the glory days of the 4 mast lumber schooners, and the tranquility of
the forests.
Elton Bennett shunned the
elitism of the establishment art world, deliberately placing his art in
locations where people would never expect to find exquisite art; hardware
stores, tackle shops, paint stores, stationery shops. Even occasionally at the
local sandwich lunch counter.
Elton Bennett (1910-1974)
Silkscreen/Serigraph artist from Hoquiam, Washington
For further information about Elton Bennett, I encourage you to do a web search for Elton Bennett. My website will appear, and you can visit the Biography page to find videos from a recent art show in which I talk about my father, his convictions and philosophy about his artwork. The Appraisal page can guide you through the process of evaluating the current value according the the vital conditions which affect value. The Gallery page shows a selection of his silkscreen titles.
Remember- every single original silkscreen by Elton Bennett is unique and different from any other, even when the same screens were used. His color variations and many screen variations meant that no two silkscreen prints were ever alike.
Barbara Bennett Parsons