Bennett Vadnais (b. 1978) grew up in Washington State. He began pursuing art seriously in his early teens and trained in the classical tradition at such schools as the Bougie Studio, MN, the Water Street Atelier, NY, and the Art Students League of New York. Upon completing his studies in New York, Bennett lived, worked, and traveled in Europe. This afforded him the opportunity to study the great masters in some of the world’s most extensive art collections. In addition, he began exploring outdoor subject matter, landscapes and street scenes in order to develop his ability to capture changing light effects. Although many of Bennett’s paintings are highly realistic, they are often begun in response to abstract elements, such as appealing color combinations or shadow patterns.

Often Bennett’s subjects are taken from the material that he finds interesting in the everyday world around him. Working from life, he finds that the time he spends studying the subject leads to a greater understanding and emotional connection with the material. Inspired by the great realists who captured the poignant in the commonplace, this process enables Bennett to grasp what is significant, permanent, and worthy of communicating in a work of art.

Bennett has been an instructor of painting and drawing at the Long Island Academy of Fine Arts.