8x10s by a Bennett by a Bennett & I

C. Mehrl Bennett & Matthew Stolte

John M Bennett & Matthew Stolte 

More collaborations on 8 x 10 stretched canvas with the Bennetts. John's work was done on a canvas borrowed from C. Mehrl. The writing across the top reads "Mur Mar Mer". An older painting shows through.

I worked on C. Mehrl's return yesterday, having added RAIN to the ice & snow then a layer of all-over vispo lettering in blue acrylic.

These collaborations have worked out far better than I imagined. Several artists are currently working on their interpretations & more work by the Bennetts is forthcoming. 

What is the 8x10 Collaboration Project & How did it start?

Catherine Mehrl Bennett & Matthew Stolte 8x10

Catherine Mehrl Bennett & Matthew Stolte 8x10

I met Catherine Mehrl Bennett in 2009 for a Madison Area Open Art Studios show we ended up co-curating in my apartment. We did the show again in 2010. Part of our time was spent painting & we exchanged many works. Last year Catherine attempted to send me a collaboration she did with one of my paintings - unfortunately it was lost in the mail. I had a show last year which included many of the works from 2009 & 10. After the show came down I had a lot of lonely canvases in my apartment. I suggested to Catherine I would send more works for her to collaborate. She agreed & thus the 8x10 Colab on Canvas Project was born. 

The paintings here are 2 of the 1st I received back from Catherine. These particular works retain the stenciled $s & Cents concrete poems, if not highlights them, & add completely new dimensions of their own.