Elton Bennett (1910-1974) saw the creative potential in silkscreen or serigraph printing because it offered so many possibilities for changing and developing his compositions over time. He used a great number of screens and color combinations with any particular image, so that each individual print was truly unique. The look he created is breathtaking and original because his rough linear motifs are paired dynamically with soft yet striking color areas.
'Ship' serigraph print by Elton Bennett
Bennett grew up in Hoquiam, Washington on the Pacific coast in the Grays Harbor region. Here, lumbering, fishing, and dredging are the usual occupations. The artist himself knew this kind of work firsthand before he turned to art making.
A single year of formal art studies at Washington State University, Pullman, in the early days got him started. But it was military service in World War II that gave him the opportunity to develop his talent and vision more fully: like other veterans he received a government allowance to pursue college work of his choice after he returned home. His new bride Flora Broadie encouraged him to follow his dream by entering the Portland Art Museum School.
serigraph by Elton Bennett
Being older than other art students set him apart. But even more did his
style, uniquely his own. After enduring two years, he returned in frustration to work in the trades for several years. Still he pursued his dream by saving enough during that time to begin working at his art full time.
'The Quiet Place' serigraph print by Elton Bennett
It’s a good thing for Bennett and for art lovers he was so persistent! His work has since become a series of iconic glimpses into the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Soon enough tragedy struck with the artist’s death alongside his wife in an airplane crash at age 64.
'Westport Dock' serigraph print by Elton Bennett
He made a difficult choice to remain in the Hoquiam area, a place perfect for the scenic views he pursued. But his choice was deadly for his reputation in the urban art scene of Seattle, where it seems he was practically unknown during his lifetime. Bennett found ways to reach the public with his art in his own community, with whom it become immensely popular over the years. Now those prints bought for smiles or cookies can sell for more than $1,000 apiece, in Seattle or Hoquiam.
His daughter Barbara recalls an annual family event that revealed the character of the artist and the power of his charm:
“One of the highlights of the year was the annual Driftwood Show in Grayland. My father was a participant for as long as I remember, and he would prepare for the event by creating a special small silkscreen. He would bring this screen, along with his oil inks, paper and squeegee, setting up a demonstration of the silkscreen process.
“This proved to be a great success, and the small black and white prints were eagerly anticipated by his ever increasing customers. My father would encourage children to accept one of these free samples, and he made quite a game of the gift. His knowledge of human nature had proven to him that people don’t often appreciate something which comes to them too easily. On the other hand, he wanted to make these small prints available to all. His solution was to make a request which was simple and cheap.”
Among the ordinary people of his community, his art had great appeal. Sometimes they would sacrifice to purchase one of his prints.
While he was part of a school of Pacific Northwest print-makers, but his work seems little known outside the region. Probably because the art support is paper and the medium is anything but oil paint would be my opinion. This exclusive prejudice has limited critical appreciation of artistic genius for a couple of centuries now. In fact, several other artists will be featured here soon, who appear to be students of Bennett’s approach. Watch this space for incredible artists whom you have probably never heard of!
The daughter quoted above has created an impressive art website to display her father’s work in great depth. Visit it for more of her anecdotes and for many more views of Bennett’s amazing prints.
Read a recent news feature on Elton Bennett’s life and art.
To see his work in person, two venues exist:
1. Polson Museum, 1611 Riverside Avenue, Hoquiam, Washington, where the Museum Store has “Elton Bennett matted lithographs” on sale, or
2. Bonnie Kahn’s Wild West Gallery, 25 Northwest 23rd Place, Suite #6, Portland, Oregon, actively handles his work.
Carol Lois Haywood
Tagged Elton Bennett, Grays Harbor, Hoquiam, Pacific Northwest, serigraph, silk screen print, Washington
John Whorf achieved fame for his sparkling watercolors of Cape Cod’s fishing trade and of men whose livelihoods and recreation were pursued in the out-of-doors. 
