Art Map Burlington, July 2007

ART REVIEW

Rick Benson at Taste

One of the appeals of abstract painting is its openness to interpretation. As when eating a meal in a restaurant, the observer finds combinations of color, presentation and taste beautiful, comforting or surprising, depending on what she brings to the experience. Rick Benson, resident artist and chef at Taste, seems to have an innate grasp of this subjectivity. His paintings are the first thing one notices about the restaurant’s atmosphere. Their broad range of sizes and wonderfully vibrant colors, showcased on copper walls, surround and surprise patrons around each corner.

Some pieces bring to mind cosmic shapes: imaginative planetary orbs enclosed by strands of signature color. A recent, as yet untitled piece, centers on electric blue orbs encasing red and black cells, which resemble bits of Venetian glass. This nest of color is enveloped in gyroscopic, multicolored strands on a black background. Here and in many other paintings, Benson applies pin dots of color as the last of many layers; in this case, frog green dots on red and dark purple lines add texture and shadow.

Heavy, confident circular strokes and geometric shapes are themes, as are joyful colors straight from the tube. Benson employs the tools at hand, rarely picking up a brush: squirt bottles are used to adorn the painting’s top layer with textured dots, barbeque skewers to drag and embellish color, and sheetrock knives to scrape off the first layer of heavy acrylic and reach a subtler base on which to build.

Size variation is used effectively, with displayed works ranging from 5” square to 54” square or larger. Next to the bar, three Tiny Monsters catch the eye with their combination of intricacy and lightness. Each begins with relatively gentle brush strokes: in The Low Spark, a sub-layer of cobalt blue jaggedly climbs up the canvas, covered with delicate columns and tiny circles.

Whatever images these paintings call to mind, they are kinetic, each one a moment deftly captured. The result is a collection of unrestricted, adventurous works.

G. BLAKE MACPHAIL

Art Map Burlington ARTICLE
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Sunflowers 30”x24” enamel & latex on canvas 2004 24. Taste 112 Lake Street (802) 658-4844 www.tasteofburlington.com www.rickbensonarts.com		ART REVIEW Rick Benson at Taste One of the appeals of abstract painting is its openness to interpretation. As when eating a meal in a restaurant, the observer finds combinations of color, presentation and taste beautiful, comforting or surprising, depending on what she brings to the experience. Rick Benson, resident artist and chef at Taste, seems to have an innate grasp of this subjectivity. His paintings are the first thing one notices about the restaurant’s atmosphere. Their broad range of sizes and wonderfully vibrant colors, showcased on copper walls, surround and surprise patrons around each corner. Some pieces bring to mind cosmic shapes: imaginative planetary orbs enclosed by strands of signature color. A recent, as yet untitled piece, centers on electric blue orbs encasing red and black cells, which resemble bits of Venetian glass. This nest of color is enveloped in gyroscopic, multicolored strands on a black background. Here and in many other paintings, Benson applies pin dots of color as the last of many layers; in this case, frog green dots on red and dark purple lines add texture and shadow. Heavy, confident circular strokes and geometric shapes are themes, as are joyful colors straight from the tube. Benson employs the tools at hand, rarely picking up a brush: squirt bottles are used to adorn the painting’s top layer with textured dots, barbeque skewers to drag and embellish color, and sheetrock knives to scrape off the first layer of heavy acrylic and reach a subtler base on which to build. Size variation is used effectively, with displayed works ranging from 5” square to 54” square or larger. Next to the bar, three Tiny Monsters catch the eye with their combination of intricacy and lightness. Each begins with relatively gentle brush strokes: in The Low Spark, a sub-layer of cobalt blue jaggedly climbs up the canvas, covered with delicate columns and tiny circles. Whatever images these paintings call to mind, they are kinetic, each one a moment deftly captured. The result is a collection of unrestricted, adventurous works. G. BLAKE MACPHAIL

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