Mike Bennett

155 Murals

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  1. Moose Lake #2
    Moose Lake #2
    $127.82 $170.50
    25% OFF
  2. Teton Majesty
    Teton Majesty
    $122.01 $162.75
    25% OFF
  3. Autumn in Pleasant Valley
    Autumn in Pleasant Valley
    $127.82 $170.50
    25% OFF
  4. Winter at the Old Grist Mill
    Winter at the Old Grist Mill
    $116.20 $155.00
    25% OFF
  5. John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn
    John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn
    $75.53 $100.75
    25% OFF
  6. John Wayne in True Grit 1
    John Wayne in True Grit 1
    $75.53 $100.75
    25% OFF
  7. John Wayne in True Grit 2
    John Wayne in True Grit 2
    $75.53 $100.75
    25% OFF
  8. Coop and The Duke John Wayne
    Coop and The Duke John Wayne
    $139.44 $186.00
    25% OFF
  9. Mallards
    Mallards
    $127.82 $170.50
    25% OFF
  10. Bass Lake
    Bass Lake
    $116.20 $155.00
    25% OFF
  11. Doug's Bait and Tackle Shop
    Doug's Bait and Tackle Shop
    $127.82 $170.50
    25% OFF
  12. Eagle Lake Lodge
    Eagle Lake Lodge
    $151.06 $201.50
    25% OFF
  13. Lincoln Profile
    Lincoln Profile
    $69.72 $93.00
    25% OFF
  14. President Abraham Lincoln 17
    President Abraham Lincoln 17
    $69.72 $93.00
    25% OFF
  15. President John F. Kennedy 4
    President John F. Kennedy 4
    $69.72 $93.00
    25% OFF
  16. President Ronald Reagan 3
    President Ronald Reagan 3
    $69.72 $93.00
    25% OFF
  17. Christ the Good Shepherd
    Christ the Good Shepherd
    $69.72 $93.00
    25% OFF
  18. Portrait of Christ 3
    Portrait of Christ 3
    $69.72 $93.00
    25% OFF
  19. Immaculate Heart of Mary
    Immaculate Heart of Mary
    $69.72 $93.00
    25% OFF
  20. The Sorrowful Christ
    The Sorrowful Christ
    $69.72 $93.00
    25% OFF
  21. Locomotive Lumbering Along Shasta County
    Locomotive Lumbering Along Shasta County
    $127.82 $170.50
    25% OFF
  22. The Daylight Limited 4449
    The Daylight Limited 4449
    $122.01 $162.75
    25% OFF
  23. The Iron Horse 1
    The Iron Horse 1
    $122.01 $162.75
    25% OFF
  24. Denver & Rio Grande Train
    Denver & Rio Grande Train
    $127.82 $170.50
    25% OFF
  25. Jimmy Doolittle's B-25 Mitchell
    Jimmy Doolittle's B-25 Mitchell
    $127.82 $170.50
    25% OFF
  26. Gee Bee Over New England
    Gee Bee Over New England
    $122.01 $162.75
    25% OFF
  27. The Spirit of St. Louis
    The Spirit of St. Louis
    $139.44 $186.00
    25% OFF
  28. Bennett Barnstorming
    Bennett Barnstorming
    $122.01 $162.75
    25% OFF
  29. James Stewart 2
    James Stewart 2
    $69.72 $93.00
    25% OFF
  30. Spencer Tracy Portrait
    Spencer Tracy Portrait
    $69.72 $93.00
    25% OFF
  31. Steve McQueen Portrait
    Steve McQueen Portrait
    $69.72 $93.00
    25% OFF
  32. Frank Sinatra Portrait
    Frank Sinatra Portrait
    $75.53 $100.75
    25% OFF
  33. Santa Fe #3751 Steam Locomotive
    Santa Fe #3751 Steam Locomotive
    $127.82 $170.50
    25% OFF
  34. Skagway Locomotive in Autumn
    Skagway Locomotive in Autumn
    $139.44 $186.00
    25% OFF
  35. Pacific Electic Trolley #246
    Pacific Electic Trolley #246
    $116.20 $155.00
    25% OFF
  36. Skagway White Pass Locomotive #195
    Skagway White Pass Locomotive #195
    $139.44 $186.00
    25% OFF
  37. Mike Bennett's Treasures
    Mike Bennett's Treasures
    $122.01 $162.75
    25% OFF
  38. Autumn in Big Bear Forest
    Autumn in Big Bear Forest
    $116.20 $155.00
    25% OFF
  39. Idaho Mountain Cabin
    Idaho Mountain Cabin
    $122.01 $162.75
    25% OFF
  40. Pheasants in Winter
    Pheasants in Winter
    $122.01 $162.75
    25% OFF

155 Murals

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About Mike Bennett


Mike Bennett

My earliest memory of having any interest in art work was from my elementary school years, around 3rd grade. I remember diligently trying to copy coloring book pages from the cartoons that were on television during that time period (1963) – Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound Dog, Mighty Mouse, and Felix the Cat.

A visiting priest dropped by at my home and my mother was showing some of my cartoon sketches to him, and he exclaimed, “These are really good. Did he trace them?” My mom very quickly corrected him by saying “No, he drew them!” It was then, that I decided, I wanted to be an artist.

In the early to mid 1960's, I would watch the first ever T.V. art instructor named, Jon Gnagy. His half hour show was on every week, in black & white – of course. They were already in re-runs even then.

I began to watch his show as he worked his magic by doing two scenes within a half hour using a light gray, dark gray, and black chalk. I started off with a pencil, trying to duplicate what he was doing, but was never quick enough.

By my next birthday or Christmas, I received, my first Jon Gnagy “Learn to Draw” set. It had everything I needed including “How to …” books so that I could take my time making beautiful sketches. I started to experiment with color pastel, and watercolor paint.

By 1966, one of my fondest memories came true. The local newspaper had announced that Jon Gnagy was coming to San Bernardino, California to the new May Co art department to demonstrate one of his famous TV lessons. He was going to choose 6 children to follow along with him as he taught the lesson.

I could hardly wait as the day approached for the happy arrival of this master artist. I managed to work my way to the front of the crowd and as he started asking for volunteers, I was jumping up and down, waving my arm so that he would see me. He finally chose me and we all began to start our sketches. The children and I all worked with Gnagy’s own chalk collection. I really felt that I had made it.

After everyone was finished and the crowd started to disburse, I asked Jon Gnagy if he would autograph my sketch, and he said, “I can’t do that since I did not make it. First I want you to sign it.” After I attached my name to my first professional looking color sketch, Gnagy grabbed a piece of chalk and wrote on my sketch, “Instructed by Jon Gnagy”

The sketch of the tree was immediately framed behind glass by my mother and stayed in my family home until I moved out. I still have it in my studio!

I met Jon Gnagy again in Idyllwild, CA. I was then in high school at the time. He asked if I would be on a new color television show that he was planning, and of course I jumped at the offer. Unfortunately the show never materialized. Later, I was able to acquire an original Jon Gnagy pastel sketch that he developed for the color television show.

I ascribe most of my drawing and shading skills to Jon Gnagy. No artist taught me more about the basics of art than him.

In the mid to late 1970's I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree and subsequently worked at a construction supply company and one of my main jobs was to do the graphics and illustrations for their monthly sales books and later their catalogs. I did hundreds of illustrations and paste up using the antiquated hot wax and roller method. The job put food on the table but I did not feel that I was using the full potential of my talent yet.

During the this same era, I was freelancing for Columbia magazine, painting covers. I even had some prints made of my “Christ the King of the Universe” painting. I also was doing local art shows, art contests and exhibiting and selling my paintings at a gallery in Laguna Beach, CA and doing very well.

I married a beautiful young lady named Rene’ in 1981 and subsequently had three beautiful daughters. I thank all four of them for putting up with my many absences from the living room to escape to my studio and paint another picture.

By the 1990’s, I was entertaining the thought of becoming an art teacher. I liked the hours and the pay was reasonable. The summer vacation and days off during the school year were really appealing to me as I had so many ideas I wanted to put on canvas. I also was able to pass on all the techniques I learned as a young artist to the elementary and middle school level students I have been teaching since 1997.

I continued to free-lance doing commissions, greeting card designs, and international stamp designs.

I painted many murals over the years and three of those murals were on a large Bekins trailer which became a mobile classroom with the subject matter of General Patton and World War II.

I continue to sell my art through art galleries, commissions, submissions to various art organizations, and through word of mouth. My art has appeared on custom wooden puzzles, book and magazine covers, newspapers, cross stitch designs, greeting cards, posters, audio cassette covers, international stamps, and many web sites. Recently I licensed my art with two cardboard puzzle sites. I am privileged to have my art licensed with Magic Murals.

My father told me shortly before he died in 1986 that one day I was going to make it and he was never wrong!