current events
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WET PAiNT
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Holiday Open Studios!
Artworks to enliven the season of sparkle. Hot cider + whimsical fine art original paintings, cards & gift certificates.
What will you discover? There’s snow telling.
Friday-Sunday: November 1st - December 22nd Open 11am-4pm
1000 Harris Avenue at the corner of 10th Street. Entry between Artwood Gallery and Good Earth Pottery. Third floor walk-UPstairs, studio #18.
2025 Calendars Now Available!
Grab Ben’s 2025 Calendar at Ristretto Coffee and Wine Bar in Mount Vernon or CLICK HERE to shop online!
Color me grateful for placing Silver in 2024!
Artfelt thanks to those of you who participated in the 14th annual Best of Northwest readers’ poll! Depicting and impacting the local landscape is my ongoing quest. Likewise, Bellingham Alive —now celebrating its 15th anniversary—seeks to spotlight the best and brightest in our beloved region. From tacos and trails to casinos and canines, a record-breaking one million votes were cast this year, across 127 categories.
Living well is an art in itself, and this hometown guy is proud to be part of it.
Live Canvas Event!
Ben will work his Live Canvas at the upcoming Gala for Justice!
Join us for an elegant and empowering event for access to justice. Dress to impress or come as you are – your presence is what matters.
Wednesday, October 17th, 2024
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Four Points Sheraton714 Lakeway Drive Bellingham WA, 98229
Tickets Available Now Register HERE!
DRAWN TO IT
Plain old black ink on paper makes for a simple harvest of local color. Sure, I’ve spent decades distilling the details, but the experience is always fresh—and invariably prompts me to see something I might have missed in taking a picture.
Seeing and sharing brings me joy ~every time.
Check out more sketchbook drawings from my Ireland journey HERE!
Art in La Conner!
My artwork will be available to purchase at the La Conner Brewery this summer, July-December, 2024.
Located at 117 1st Street La Conner, WA.
GIVE A GIFT CERTIFICATE!
Call/Text/Email/Visit Ben for this stellar present like no other ~ Any denomination, no expiration. Please note: redeemable only with the Artist directly and not at venues that retail his work.
360-920-4022
Shop Ben’s NEW INVENTORY on Society6!
Ben’s now offering his art on home goods and so much more through Society6!
I Made the Cover!
Keep your eyes out for the October 2023 issue of Southside Living, featuring a paint-splattered article about the Mann himself.
Palette Meets Palate
Drizzle Olive Oil and Vinegar Tasting Room called on Ben to give holiday bling to their well-established logo. He had taste a lot of samples to get it just right!
The new painting adorns labels on their seasonal merchandise, and Ben got to sue his art school skills by flexing his brushstrokes to their existing visual brand. (Viva versatility!)
Businesses working together can really cook.
Click here to learn more about Drizzle Olive Oil and Vinegar Tasting Room.
Best Local Artist 2022!
I’m the proud winner of Bellingham Alive’s Best in the Northwest for Best Local Artist!
Live Canvas Sneak Peek!
Ever wonder about my performance “live” at my easel during annual fundraising galas? Here’s a peek under the hood!
Bellingham Alive: Welcome Guide
Check out this annual digital welcome guide for things to do around Bellingham, including visiting my studio (by appointment only).
Video produced by Eero Johnson
My Trip To Alaska
Watch My Process!
Watch a time lapse of yours truly at the easel :)
Ben & Ink
Another side of my work…. Click here for more!
Skagit Talk
Local Mount Vernon Artist Ben Mann is the Genius Behind 2019 Tulip Festival Poster!
Best Commemorative Poster Award!
Ben is happy to have been selected for the 35th annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival poster design--that's 2019! Ample time to do his best work for this project. See this beautiful poster come to life in the video below!
BEST COMMEMORATIVE POSTER AWARD 2019:
“Each year, the International Festivals & Events Association recognizes outstanding accomplishments and top quality creative, promotional, operational and community outreach programs and materials produced by festivals and events around the world, with the Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Competition.
This prestigious awards competition strives for the highest degree of excellence in festival and event promotions and operations, and in doing so, has raised the standards and quality of the festivals and events industry to new levels”
Happy Little Trees
The time came for me to throw caution to the wind, and actually tackle a canvas based on the now iconic methods of Sir Bob Ross.
For yours truly, in a word: Surreal. & enlightening, humbling, hilarious, frustrating, ultimately a poignant curve in my road of artistry. ((Imagine being asked to walk like someone else. You walk like you, and have done so for ages, so it's easier said than done. And the frickn tools...not since the late '80s in college have I handled a palette knife. My analogy would be handing a waffle iron to an accomplished sushi specialist..it presents a steep learning curve, side effects may include profanity))
But even 25 years since his passing into the great teal beyond, I could feel the famously gentle encouragement of Mr. Ross, who I deemed the Mr. Rogers of creativity. At the end of the risk and struggle, it was a lovely day in the neighborhood. #artistlife
Art to Purchase: Current Whereabouts
Bellingham
NORTHSHORE VETERINARY
601 - D Electric Avenue
Fairhaven
A LOT OF FLOWERS
1011 Harris Avenue
DRIZZLE
1208 11th Street
GARDEN ROOM FAIRHAVEN
1006 Harris Ave
GOOD EARTH POTTERY
1000 Harris Avenue
MAMBO ITALIANO
1303 12th Street
BEN'S PRIVATE ART STUDIO
(hours by appointment)
Mount Vernon
RISTRETTO COFFEE LOUNGE & WINE BAR
416 S 1st Street