| | Movie 
Salvador Espejo Benitez (Frijolito)
Master of the Little Bean
SALVADOR ESPEJO BENITEZ
Maestro Frijolito: Master of the Little Bean
Salvador Espejo Benitez, who is currently exhibiting through December 2nd in the Minneapolis Institute of Art's Minnesota Artists Gallery as one of the "Frontera Lake Street" artists, is affectionately known to his fellow
artists as "Maestro Frijolito" which translates as "Master of the Little
Bean".
Concurrent with the "Frontera" show, Benitez is exhibiting a large selection of his miniatures - scenes of Minnesota and Mexico painted on beans, leaves, woodchips and other tiny surfaces - in a solo show called "Maestro Frijolito: Master of the Little Bean" at ArTrujillo Studio Gallery, now through November 18, 2001. Salvador Benitez is a prolific and enthusiastic artist, whose artistic home in the USA is ArTrujillo.
By birth his home is Morelos, Mexico, where he began painting miniatures as a way to earn money for school. Following training as an Agricultural Engineer he continued painting, mastering the tiny format with a flair for color and energetic description. Benitez has had more than 40 solo exhibits, and is renowned in his native state.
The artist prices his tiny paintings very reasonably, and presents them in
small decorative frames and on tiny easels, with the wish that each will
find an appreciative home. Landscapes, wildlife scenes, seascapes, ranching and historic scenes are among his well-loved subjects.
ArTrujillo Studio Gallery is home to a collective of artists from Latino,
European-American, African-American, Arabic and other cultures - the group includes painters, sculptors, photographers, designers, musicians, poets and all types of creative artists. Life-long professionals and beginning students are often found working side-by-side on group projects and individual artworks, as well as producing public events. In the 18 months of existence ArTrujillo members have shown all over the Twin Cities in non-profit galleries, corporations, open studio events, at museums and even in the street for Cinco de Mayo!
ArTrujillo is located in the basement of the International Bazaar at 3 Av S.
and E. Lake St, just 6 blocks south of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
Gallery hours are usually noon-8pm 7 days/week, but those planning to visit may wish to call ahead (612-821-9076) to confirm hours.
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Titled | Medium | Size | Price | 1 Paisaje de Cuernavaca | Oils on leaf | 3" x 5" | $150 | 2 Mi caballo preferido | Oils on leaf | 3" x 5" | $150 | 3 Paisaje de mi pueblo | Oils on leaf | 3" x 5" | $150 | 4 Recuerdos de mi caballo | Oils rose petal | 3" x 4" | $ 60 | 5 Escenas de mi juventud | Acrylics | 12" x 16" | $ 300 | 6 Aseo de mi caballo | Oils on leaf | 3" x 5" | $150 | 7 Minnesota | Oils on leaf | 2" x 3" | $150 | 8 México | Oils on leaf | 4" x 6" | $ 200 | 9 Pareja | Watercolor on rose petal | 3" x 5" | $ 50 | 10 Mi ciudad | Oils on leaf | 3" x 5" | $200 | 11 Mi País | Oils on leaf | 3" x 5" | $150 | 12 Minnesota II | Oils on leaf | 2" x 3" | $150 | 13 Flowers I | Oils on flowers | 4" x 6" | $150 | 14 Flowers II | Oils on flowers | 4" x 6" | $150 | 15 Landscapes | Oils on seeds | 4" X 5" | $ 50 each |
*Prices do NOT include applicable sales tax and/or shipping* Salvador Espejo Benítez My work consists of miniature paintings created with oils and watercolors. Landscapes of my dear Mexican homeland and those of Minnesota have been my primary inspirations. Impressionism, at a very small scale, best classifies the type of work I engage in. I am a self-taught artist who began painting and drawing at a very young age. Watercolors, oils, tempera, gouache, and acrylics are the mediums used in expressing my art. I feel my art is unique because I paint on materials provided by nature. My canvasses are the leaves of ninety different species of trees (including maple, oak, poplar, amate, guava, and pimiento), various seeds, corn, beans, nut shells, wheat, barley, rose petals, rice, and anything else readily available. All of this is accomplished without the aid of glasses or a magnifying glass. My work has been displayed at the Rain Forest Café and the Tall Timber Grill at the Mall of America and at St Catherines college in St Paul. My goal in life is to keep painting and secure a booth at the Mall of America to share my work with people from all over the world.. |
