Have you seen the art popping up on electrical boxes downtown? Part of the Arts Trail and the Arts District of Glens Falls, these works have added so much to our little city already (and we’re hoping this is just the start!). We’re excited to introduce you to another of the talented artists behind this series - Rodney Bentley! You can see his work on the corner of Ridge and Maple Streets, right in front of Morgan and Company.
Tell us about yourself!
I was born in February at Glens Falls Hospital. As a child, I was surrounded by my five siblings and my caring, supportive, and spiritual mother, Bertha. I spent my childhood up in the Adirondacks. I graduated from Warrensburg Central School and attended local college with my sights set on a political or legal career. During college, JCPenney hired me as an internal auditor, supporting overall store operations and loss prevention. I was promoted through advanced district, regional and corporate positions, which allowed me to relocate to Rochester, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and metro New York City.
Due to the Great Recession, I found myself unemployed while living in the Philadelphia area. It was during that time that I fell in the bathroom at my residence and suffered a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). My fiancé, Janet, with wonderful grace and care, had me rushed by paramedics to the intensive care unit at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. Many issues surfaced due the TBI including memory, aphasia, confusion and speech problems. My siblings and my mother helped me to return to the Glens Falls Region to heal and start a new life.
On Becoming an Artist
When I returned to the Glens Falls Region, I was not healing well and I began to sedate myself with alcohol to search for some form of comfort. I found myself in Saratoga County Jail due to back to back DWIs. While incarcerated, my family hired a local legal firm to assist me in being released from the facility. I declined to leave prison, as I knew I truly needed help and returning to society was not right for me at that time.
It was during my 108 days of incarceration that I became an artist without knowing it. It started with a rather large inmate, named Tiny, sitting at a table across from me with tears in his eyes. He asked me if I could draw something for him. I thought it was a joke at first but then I asked what I would draw and why. He explained it was for his 6 year old grandson’s birthday and that he liked dragons. I felt sympathy as I looked beyond his tears and into his eyes. I asked for a pencil and paper, which a guard provided. I started to sketch and magically a beautiful powerful dragon appeared on the paper.
I began to create an inmate gallery in prison. In the evening, I would place my newest work on the tables in the cell block and inmates would tour my work and make comments. Guards took notice of my work as well, and I began to create personalized work for both inmates and guards as requested. I look forward to sharing my prison work with the world when I feel the time is right.
The Inspiration
In the midst of COVID, art supplies became challenging to acquire. I was feeling a sense of solace, peace, beauty, and softness in some odd way. The split background of soft pink and violet on canvas evokes that simplicity. The tree branches and leaves are captured in mostly white with the soft hint of grey for depth, but not distraction. The brilliant monarch butterflies seem to offer a hint of softness, with brilliant color and clarity representing souls flowing upward to a sense of newness, peace and overflowing love. The yellow orb, which the butterflies are floating towards in the upper right portion of the electrical box, represents the most powerful unconditional love ever felt.
On The Process
The process was a learning curve. I followed instructions on how to remove graffiti, stickers and additional oddities that I found on the box. It very helpful that LARAC provided wonderful directions regarding cleaning the box, priming the box and finally sealing the box when the project was completed.
I really loved the interaction with the public while painting the electrical box. Car drivers passing by would wave their hands, smile and make great comments. People walking by wanted to take photos and create wonderful conversations. What a great experience!
Some Glens Falls Favorites
I reside on the property known as the historic and magnificent Morgan and Company restaurant which happens to be where the utility box is located. There are many wonderful spots I enjoy in Glens Falls, including Fenimore’s Pub, Mean Max Brew Works, Davidson Brothers Brewing Co., Downtown Social, Raul’s Mexican Grill, Downtown City Tavern, Mikado, Spot Coffee and many other relaxing establishments.
I find biking invigorating and enjoy riding along the extensive Glens Falls Feeder Canal, along the banks of the mighty Hudson River, and into Lake George and Hudson Falls. I find the Hyde Museum beyond inspirational, as well as shows at the Wood Theater and Park Theater.
