I'm H.J. Bennett, aka Candy Cougar. I'm an alternative model, playwright, and mixed media artist. I work on canvas using anything from eyeshadow to merlot, coffee, organic tea, stage blood, grape juice, and hair dye. I find unique inspiration from comics, film, and music.
The focus of my work is the human figure and portraiture. I often address issues such as identity, womanhood, strained relationships, diversity, and societal expectations. I repeatedly address the idea of fame and what it means to be "beautiful". My artistic usage of eyeshadow, false lashes, and hair dye is a reflection of the vanity associated with fame and beauty. My paintings are splashed and pumped up with lots of colors. I am especially interested in the moods and emotions colors can convey, and my usage is spontaneous, yet dependent upon the subject matter and what feelings they evoke. I feel that visual art is deeply intertwined with music, and each inspire the other. I always listen to music while I paint. The tempo and mood of the music I listen to subconsciously influences my color choices, brush strokes, and the pressure I put on the canvas while applying paint. Therefore, I must choose from a wide variety of music genres and styles in order to find one that best fits the mood and flow of the particular painting I want to make. Sometimes I choose music that opposes the type of painting I want to do, and the results can be quite interesting and unexpected. Though I was initially opposed to digital art in my own career as an artist, I am now beginning to embrace it and broaden my artistic horizon. I am working with digital images and designs, continuing my quest for more skills in the art world. I am a highly motivated and passionate artist, excited to learn and keep improving my skills. I intend to surround myself with other talented artists and remain fully engaged in the art community. I exhibit my art throughout northern and southern California, in such cities as Chico, Sacramento, Roseville, San Diego, and San Francisco. I have sold art all across the country, and made my first international sale to Australia in late 2016. Learning more about art in general and adding to my knowledge and skillset in my own art is a lifelong goal for me. I love the idea that I can always learn more about what art can convey, and find new and better ways of producing and sharing art.
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Candy Cougar Art | Artist Statement and Resume |