Liestal Alley Gallery Sacramento
Representing multidisciplinary artist Paul Benavidez
WELCOME!
Saca is a community of artists whose works can be seen in the cafes, galleries, businesses, museums -- and the dozens of outdoor murals found on nearly every street somewhere. The Midtown area, specifically the Handle District, is where we are, Liestal Alley Gallery. Come and see Paul's new work then grab a Matcha Latte at Sun House Cafe, beer and pizza at Fieldwork, a margarita at Zocalo, or a bagel and coffee at Old Soul Cafe (where you can also take in their monthly art exhibit). Make art part of your life experience here.
Liestal Alley Gallery: 1810 Liestal Alley (between 18th & 19th Sts. near Capitol Ave.)
To visit during the week, contact: terry@liestalalleygallery.com;
202-740-7303.
"Boy With Yellow Parakeet" (2026)
Welcome to Liestal Alley Gallery
choose prints and posters from original works
All commissioned work, including life portraits or portraits from photographs, are done in the studio/gallery. We also offer affordable prints of his originals. For his complete collection, go to wwwpaul@paulbenavidez.com.
Original work: " M-2" (2009); (92" x 72").
Acrylic 65, pigment dispersions, Sharpie over canvas. Prints available.
Contact: terry@liestalalleygallery.com.
artist biography
Lived experience informs the politics, worldview, and art of mutli-disciplinary artist, Paul Benavidez. He got his BA in Studio Art at the University of California Santa Barbara and an MFA in Visual Art at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. www.paulbenavidez.com. (Photo shows artist testing electronics for sound sculpture, "Song of the Temponaut." Fiberglass, resin, pigment dispersions.(2005).
portraits by commission
Whether you choose to commission a portrait from a photograph, or sit for a life portrait in the studio, the result is a dynamic character study. As in the artwork shown, his medium varies: oils, acrylic with pigment dispersions, charcoal, and pastels over pen and ink on archival paper.
at work
new project 8/21/26
"The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation." Bertrand Russell.
Back in the 80s I read a paper by pioneering neuroscientist Charles Sherrington, "Man on His Nature" (1942), a study on what happens as the brain wakes from sleep. He referred to the scientific process poetically, coining the phrase "the enchanted loom." Sherrington's research and the metaphors that came to mind from "enchanted loom," continue to inspire my work today.
When I worked on an art installation titled, "Unequal Wealth Distribution," the medium was plastic-colored clothing hangers. During the process of placing them on the canvas, I became aware they created a replicating polygon. I saw in it a kind of weave and titled it "The Enchanted Loom." For me, the loom is weaving consciousness. Each hanger represents a human being as a metaphor for the process of how all living organisms replicate and survive through cooperation.
Some people look at my work and see hangers. And that's okay. But, this project alludes to the fact that physics proves all things are connected through synergy. Existence is synergy. All of life depends on the cooperation of every living cell attached to every other cell. Without cooperation, the organism dies. We die. The planet dies.
I'm excited to bring my new project to life. Follow as I make the canvases -- a series of triangles, and begin casting the molds. I would love to know your thoughts or questions.
Go to: terry@liestalalleygallery.com.
8/27/26
I'm working on casting. I picture at least 25 or more in various colors. It takes about 24 - 48 hours for them to cure. Not even sure if the castings will do what I want them to do. Time consuming as hell.
I
9/1/26
So I have this image of a string of triangle canvases -- I've stretched seven so far. Then the castings I make of the forms, painted in various colors, will be placed to form a hexadecagon. That's when the pattern of cooperation, harmony, and synergy emerges.
I
9/6/26
Here is an example of the molds. The casting is done but curing is a longer haul. Summer heat helps them dry outside. Still waiting to begin placing them on the canvases. I think I want to call this project, "Super Cooperators." Too long? Not poetic enough? Not political enough? Not sure but I like it: Super Cooperators.
I
9/8/26
So far dozens of forms have been poured using different colors. Eventually these will be placed on the canvases permanently. Right now they're just blobs. But, metaphorically, humans.
Setting out the pattern in order to outline the design I want. If you can, picture them as humans interacting, connecting, surviving, replicating in synergy. There is a harmony to it. Capturing that, as an artist, is my goal.
Finally. Outlining the forms is the roadmap I need. Now I can remove the bolts connecting the canvases underneath, and begin the actual placement and painting.
9/25/26
So, now the blobs that were curing are free from their mold. I decided to attach them to the hanging canvas. By the way, getting this heavy, unbalanced piece onto the wall was all me.
I had a lot of options on where to place the forms. I liked seeing the piece as a whole, then work with the color palette for balance - but not perfect balance, it's more about movement.
Working my way up...
sometimes down.
10/20/26 Commission
The great fate of teaming up with a young, eager collector, John, came along in October. I'm putting my other project on hold while I begin this new commission - three large floor to ceiling paintings. The collector is enamored of the artistic spectacle of bullfighting while recognizing that the conquest of man over beast is found in historic masculine deceit.
John is learning to build the stretcher bars from scratch. What wood is best to use for each frame? Dimensional poplar is a quality material for stretcher bars. The process requires milling of the poplar, and accurate assembly.
His energy and curiosity to make sure everything is done right makes for a great collaboration. I love his insight on the kind of painting he wants, but the art of it all will be mine.
SAC OPEN STUDIOS Sept. 12th & 13th
I'm applying the cured acrylic and pigment dispersion castings to the new canvases, titled "Super Cooperators." This weekend I was asked a lot about hangers. "They're humans working together. When we cooperate we can create, explore new ideas and policies, find answers, pose questions. It's limitless."
So many people brought their kids, and dogs, to the studio. When kids enjoy the work -- that's everything.
I take my life's work very seriously. But, c'mon...bringing smiles into the studio is as inspiring as it can be.
Our Political World: The Heg$eth Series
"No Women, No Immigrants, No Queers, No Color" (2025) 12" x 24"
Print: $75
Original: $2,500
"We Ain't No Pussies" (2025) 12" x 24"
Print: $75
Original: $2,500
"Anti-Woke Machine"
12" x 24" (2025)
Print: $75
Original: $2,500
from originals to prints
"Walking Through the Trees II" (2007)
Acrylic and pigment dispersions on diptych panels, (72" x 96").
Private collection.
Prints start at $50 depending on size and paper preference.
"Walking Through the Trees IV" (2007) Acrylic and pigment dispersions over triptych panels (96" x 144").
Private collection.
Prints start at $50 and up depending on size and paper preference.
"Walking Through the Trees I" (2007)
3rd Place in The Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery Juried Show 2008. Acrylic, charcoal over diptych panels.
(84” x 96”). Private collection.
This is not available in print.
"Capitalism" (2014) Clay sculpture of horse decomposing in the elements. 11" x 14" $50
"Freedom" (2016) 16" x 11" watercolor, pen and ink. $50
everything is political
our world 2026
more prints
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studio outake prints
portraits
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