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Showing posts with label #Van Nuys airport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #Van Nuys airport. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

" I’m Still A Bit Conflicted About It All"...

A Beechcraft Model 18

 Good "sketchie thoughts" Wednesday, y'all.

I got an email about one month ago from a collector that was interested in purchasing some of my onsite aviation sketches.

I just kinda blew it off.

I received another one about a week ago and so, while dumping or responding to a month's worth of emails, I responded by thanking him for his interest attaching a low rez sketch of an aircraft engine sitting on a tire at the Van Nuys airport in 1977 or so.

He called me last night right in the middle of dinner from the west coast. (Can't tell you how many times that has happened in my storyboard career.) He loved the sketch I sent him, wanted to see more and asked me for my prices.

We both name dropped various aviation artists and the many airfields and boneyards just to feel we were on the same page.

He seemed legit.

Well, when I thought about my black and white sketches from those days I, at first, gave him a price of $200. He didn't gasp at the offering, but the more I informed him of how I was attached to many of these sketchbook pieces the more I felt conflicted about the prices.

"Man, I said, those sketches are a part of me. I'd miss 'em if I'd sell them."

It wasn't a ploy to jack up the prices. I really had to think about all this in the middle of a pork chop!

"Well, I'd don't mind negotiating, but most of these are in Canson acid free sketchbooks, ya know?"

"Well if..."

I said, "I don't wanna sell any of my Van Nuys collection for less than $500."

Seeming undeterred, he asked,"Well, you won't mind if I go to your sites and check those out?

"No man, I am truly flattered that you think so much of them!"

"Well, I'll keep in touch with you, if that's okay!"

"Of course," I said.

Sitting back down to finish my dinner, I thought, "What the fuck is wrong with you!" It's an effin' sketch!

Somehow, some way, this morning I feel better about my decision... I don't quite know why!

First cup!

Copyright 2020/ Ben Bensen III

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

"How To Make The Best Use Of Your Time...If You Know How To Draw!"

A Bombardier CL-415 ( Superscooper ) 

Tanker #240 seated from runway at the Van Nuys Airport.
Sitting here with my first cup of weak coffee trying to make the best use of every SoCal hour. Yesterday, arriving a hour too soon to meet with an aviation buddy of mine for lunch, I sat in the car and sketched... what else, but an airplane!
Whenever I return to LA, I always try to make time to have lunch with my ASAA, SILA and AFAPO friend and part-time confidant ( of sorts! ) Mike Machat. We both enjoy eating at the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant overlooking the Van Nuys airport runway and talking about old times and new projects while we keep an ear open for the sound of a big radial engine.

I was so tempted to Photoshop color it that big, bright, yellow against a beautifully blue California sky!


Copyright 2015/ Ben Bensen III