By Michelle Stecker

Special to the Picayune

Next week at the Laura Bush Library, artist and songwriter Ben Livingston will play the guitar and sing songs he has written that compliment his artwork, which will be on display as “Ben’s ‘Dog and Pony Show.”

His artwork has not been seen for over 20 years.

Livingston, a 20-year veteran artist, has stories to tell with each chapter representing a journey of his life. He’s been an advertising representative for Third Coast magazine, a neon art designer, a traveler, a painter and now a singer/songwriter.

Livingston said he has always been a journal writer and has drawn inspiration for his paintings, music, neon sculptures and song writing from the philosophy of his thoughts.

Paintings such as “Trust Your Equipment” inspired a song of the same title.

“It means to have confidence in you,” he said.

Livingston grew up in Victoria, Texas, in an art-oriented family.

“I always drew as a kid, I loved to draw,” he said. “Mom always encouraged my work, to dig a little deeper, to get me to look into myself.”

In 1980, Livingston was inspired to pursue neon design and sculpture when he saw a neon cigar sign; he learned the basics of the trade in an art school in Wisconsin, then came back to Texas and worked in San Antonio.

“Twelve-hour days went by like minutes,” he said.

Livingston opened his own neon workshop in 1985 off of West Fifth Street where he did artwork for movies and local businesses.

The City of Austin commissioned Livingston to do large neon sculpture for the convention center where it now stands. The last neon sign he made was for Amy’s Ice Cream on West 6th Street. Livingston also painted during this chapter of his life.

When he is in the process of painting, writing a song or pursuing a passion it is “like a novel you can’t stand to be away from,” Livingston said.

The art and music show at the Laura Bush Library will be on Sunday from 4-6 p.m.

“Between writing songs and recalling this old snapshot of work of this show, I’m really Jonzin’ to paint again,” exclaimed Livingston.

To see a preview of Livingston’s paintings, visit www.beneon.com and for music samples visit www.benlivingston.com.

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