Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Soothe operator

Arlie Benegar’s art evokes calmer times

Arlie Benegar’s oil paintings are inspired by farm life and nature. The self-taught painter (she later took lessons) and retired nurse lives on a 63-acre ranch with her husband of 50 years in Foothills, where they board horses. She is holding a painting she made for her mother, who died of pancreatic cancer before it was finished. (J. Bart Rayniak / The Spokesman-Review)
Jennifer Larue

Arlie Benegar paints what she loves.

Horses carrying cowboys across a high stream or navigating snow-covered terrain, a lazy river or the reflection of mountains and trees in still waters, a young girl who is gazing at nature while sitting on a small horse or a young boy carrying a saddle – all things near and dear to Benegar’s heart. “My family and horses come first,” she said.

She uses the term “artist” loosely, admitting that she still has a lot to learn though she’s been painting for more than 20 years. A retired nurse who’s been married for more than 50 years, Benegar raised four children and has 12 grandchildren. She painted all the while, taking a class here and there and showing her work on the walls of the hospital where she worked in Bountiful, Utah.

Her oil paintings are traditional, reminiscent of simpler times. “We’re living in such tumultuous times. I think people need more calming art,” Benegar said. “And if you’re painting, you can’t worry about anything else, so it’s a good thing to do.” She also does still-life.

Benegar and her husband, Roger, moved from Utah in 2000 and purchased property in the foothills on North Forker Road where they board horses and have a trainer working out of their barn. A few years ago Benegar read an article in The Spokesman-Review profiling a local artist named Darrell Wilcox that mentioned that he taught classes at Spokane Art Supply Too in Spokane Valley, and she has been taking classes with him ever since.

She began showing her work at Ink to Media in Spokane Valley about a year ago, and a recent showing at the Spokane Valley Mall led to another venue in which to show her paintings. “I was approached by the owners of Cascading Creations in Airway Heights. They really liked my painting of a barn. I have four pieces there now.”

Benegar’s own barn collapsed in December under heavy snow, and though much of her time is spent rebuilding, she continues to paint.

From Friday through Sept. 17, Benegar will be showing two miniature paintings alongside more than 30 other artists. The Mini Art Show is being hosted by Ink to Media, 523 N. Pines Road, with an open reception Friday from 4 to 8 p.m.

The sizes of the canvases range from 6-by-6 inches to 3-by-3 inches and will be displayed on tiny easels or hung alone or as a grouping. Ink to Media co-owners Justin Lentz and Kurt Schmierer wanted to offer affordable signed originals to the public; the individual pieces will be priced from $25 to $50.

Participating artists include Connie Janney, Dirk Parsons, Helen Parsons, Nona Hengen, Glenice Moore, Carole Cossette and Carmen Murray.

Ellen Blaschke will display three pieces of Mount Spokane and Irene Dahl will forgo the canvases and paint eight small pieces in oil on copper. Lentz and Schmierer will also display some pieces. Benegar’s mini-paintings will be a landscape and a portrait of a young girl.

The Verve is a weekly feature celebrating the arts. If you know an artist, dancer, actor, musician, photographer, band or singer, contact correspondent Jennifer LaRue by e-mail jlarue99@hotmail.com.