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Ernie Benton |
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, I have been immersed in artistic pursuits since childhood. As a self-taught artist, I began my journey with pencil and charcoal sketches at a young age, and over the years, I have honed a distinctive contemporary style. My body of work includes a range of notable pieces created both for individual clients and for various public and private events.
Throughout my career, I have earned numerous awards in local, regional, and national competitions, and have participated in many prestigious juried shows and exhibitions. This recognition has helped build a reputation as a respected and accomplished artist.
Art is a fundamental part of the human experience for me. I believe that a deep understanding and appreciation of art enriches character and strengthens social connections. With a hunger for creative enrichment, a passion for jazz and a commitment to education, I strive to use my art to inform, inspire, and engage viewers. My paintings capture the essence of the colors, sounds, flavors, and rhythms of life, aiming to enhance communication and foster mutual understanding.
I work primarily with acrylics and pastels, employing a palette that blends earth tones, cool pastels, and vivid primary colors. My creative process is driven by a love of passion, beauty, and the abstract qualities of music, thought, and form. My art often explores the dynamic interplay of shapes and colors, balancing abstract and figurative elements. While my work is influenced by the geometry and forms of the great Picasso, it maintains a unique and personal approach.
Recently, I have ventured into the exciting world of "Wearable Art," collaborating with Le Galeriste in Canada to transform select paintings into unique fashion apparel. To stay updated on my latest works and upcoming events, visit my website Strictly Earnest, or connect with me on Facebook, and Instagram. Additionally, you can explore my art and artful merchandise on Fine Art America and Saatchi Art.
Now based in North Texas with my wife, I am actively engaged with local art organizations, juried exhibitions, and public art projects. I participate in selective Fine Art Festivals across the country, and my paintings are featured in private collections and fine homes nationwide, including states such as California, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Georgia, Missouri, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, Florida, New York, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Washington DC. Notably, my work is included in the collection of Northlake College in Irving, Texas, and the painting "Quaker Town," commissioned by the City of Denton, TX Public Art Project, is proudly displayed in Denton City Hall.
Artist Affiliations
Associated Creative Artists, Dallas, TX
The Black Academy of Arts & Letters, Dallas, TX
Irving Art Association, Irving, TX
Irving Arts Center, Irving, TX
Pastel Society of the South West, Dallas, TX
Plano Art Association, Plano, TX
Texas Artist Coalition, Fort Worth, TX
The Art House at the Jones Center, Austin, TX
Southwestern Watercolor Society, Dallas, TX
Visual Arts Coalition of Dallas, TX
Visual Arts Society of Texas, Denton, TX
Texas Visual Arts Association Dallas, TX
North Texas Business for Culture and the Arts, Juror
Le Galeriste, Montreal, QC Canada |
Solo Exhibitions
North Lake College Solo Exhibition - Irving, TX
The Blues & Jazz Experience Art Exhibition Irving Arts Center - Irving, TX
55 Degrees Wine Bar & Bistro - Plano, TX
Barnes and Nobles Book Sellers - Denton, TX
Farmers Branch Manske Library Gallery - Framers Branch, TX
Marshall Motors - Dallas, TX
Buttons Restaurant - Fort Worth, TX |
| Festivals & Events
Addison ArtFest Addison, TX
African Festival of the Arts, Chicago, IL
Alexandria Old Town Art Festival, Alexandria, VA
Allen USA Celebration Allen, TX
Alpharetta, GA StreetFest
Art & Air Festival, Saint Louis, MO
Art Afaire, Fort Worth, TX
ArtFest Fair Park Dallas, TX
Artisphere Art Festival, Greenville, SC
Arts, Beats and Eats, Royal Oak, MI
Arts Goggle, Fort Worth, TX
Autumn & Art at Bradley Fair, Wichita, KS
AVAA 34th Annual Regional Juried Show, Arlington, TX
Boardwalk Art Show, Virginia Beach, VA
Buckhead Fine Arts Festival, Atlanta, GA
Champions of Literacy Auction Dallas, TX
City of Denton Public Art Project Denton, TX
Cleveland The Flats Art Festival, Cleveland, OH
Columbus Arts Festival, Columbus, OH
Cottonwood Art Festival Richardson, TX
Dallas CityArts Festival Dallas, TX
Deep Ellum Art Park Public Art Project, Dallas, TX
Denton Arts & Jazz Festival Denton, TX
Festival in the Park, Charlotte, NC
Fort Worth Music Festival, Ft Worth, TX
Frisco Arts Festival, Frisco, TX
GrapeFest, Grapevine, TX
Huffhines Art Trails Richardson, TX
IAC Art In The Garden, Irving, TX
Irving Heritage Festival, Irving, TX
Jazz By The Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX
La Quinta Art Celebration La Quinta, CA
Lakewood Summer Arts Faire, Dallas, TX
Las Olas Art Fair, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Lubbock Arts Festival, Lubbock, TX
National Black Arts Festival, Atlanta, GA
Mount Dora Arts Festival, Mt Dora, FL
Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts OK
Paul Quinn College Benefit, Dallas, TX
Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair, Peoria, IL
Potter's House International Festival, Dallas, TX
Preservation is the Art of the City, Fort Worth, TX
Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, Philadelphia, PA
Spectrum Miami Miami, FL
Summerlin Festival of Arts, Las Vegas, NV
The Other Art Fair Dallas, TX and Las Angeles, CA
Webster Arts Fair, Webster Groves, MO
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Group Exhibitions
Artist's Showplace Associates Show
Artist's Showplace Gallery Juried Exhibition
Artscape Plano, TX
Associated Creative Artist Annual Award Show
Bank of America BHM Art Expo
DAF Productions Art Exhibition
Dallas Symphony African American Concert Festival Dallas, TX
Fort Worth CAC 9" x 12" Works on Paper Exhibition
Fort Worth CAC Biennial Exhibition
FWCAC Biennial: 39 Hour Exhibition
FWCAC Extended Show
Grand Prairie Arts Council Juried Art Exhibit
IAC - Art Connection Members Show
IAC - The Blues (& Other Colors)Show
IAC New Talent Gallery
ICTN "Visual Embrace" Solo Show
Irving Art Assoc. Annual Members Juried Show
Irving Art Assoc. Annual Wildlife Juried Show
Irving Art Assoc. Winners Exhibition
Irving Black Arts Council "Boundless Expressions"
PCPC Arts Festival Dallas, TX
Plano Art Association "Beauty of Nature Show"
Plano Art Association "Walk On The Wild Side"
Plano Art Association Members Show
Sprint Arts and Crafts Festival in Northern Virginia
Studio 2600 "Swells & Curves" Dallas, TX
Texas & Neighbors Regional Juried Exhibition
Texas Visual Arts Association (TVAA) New Members Exhibition Dallas,
TVAA Digital Art Show Dallas, TX
TVAA 60th Members Exhibition
Up and Coming Artists of Metro D.C.
Verizon BHM Art Connection
Visual Arts Society of Texas "Art and Poetry" Exhibit Denton, TX
Visual Arts Society of Texas Connections Exhibit Dallas, Texas
Washington D.C. Urban League
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Copyright By Strictly Earnest 2004-2024. All rights reserved.
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