Tidal Pool No. 3 (Kettle Cove, Maine), 2019, oil, oil pastel, acrylic, and fabric dyes on Moroccan linen, 48 x 57 in. (121.92 x 144.78 cm)
Leon Benn's paintings originate as line drawings, which are subsequently transformed into vibrant scenes through a multi-faceted process. This creative journey involves photo enlargement, Batik-style dyeing, acrylic washes, the inclusion of out-of-focus fuzzy backgrounds, sketch-like marks rendered with oil sticks or oil pastels, and ultimately, the application of flat or impasto-like marks using oil paint. While Benn’s work draws inspiration from the natural world, specifically the transitional realms between wilderness and urban spaces often referred to as “ecotones,” these pieces transcend the mere depictions of landscapes.