Artwork Story
While each painting objectively should stand on it’s own, my main focus of artworks makes up my life story. There is a continued narrative among each iteration. As a group, they are split into six current sections or “eras”. Most work that has not started is already planned out. I know exactly how I want them to look and how I want them to feel. After all, it is my life and memory.
Follow the story of my life story in these paintings, grouped by their respected eras:
Childhood Era
1990 - 2008
It will be several years before I start painting anything in this era. Filled with nostalgia and childhood topics.
The Dark Era
2008 - 2011
A segment of time I have always referred to as the dark part of my life. It was a bleak moment of life, while I was still young in adulthood. Dealing with situations forced on me and my lifetime plans drastically changed several times, with me having to adapt for survival.
This era focuses on the short amount of time of becoming a young parent, becoming engaged, and facing the loss of both of those topics. It was not a happy time for me.
No current works in this era that are planned have been painted. Future titles of this era will include:
- Unexpected
- Unfaithful
- Electrifying
The Hart’s Desire
2011 - 2013
This era starts with meeting my second fiancee. Following the relationship as it builds, as we both grow together. Herself dragging me out of my “Dark Era” with loving support and to guiding me to become the man I am now, living life the best I can make of it.
No current works in this era are completed yet. Future titles of this era will include:
- Show Me What I’m Looking For - First time meeting eyes.
- Shared Words - A couple sits together in front of a Monet.
- Hot Spring - A romantic scene.
- Adopting Izzy - The day my family grew one more.
- Expecting - “We’re going to need more bedrooms, after all.”
- Carol of the Bells - Holiday excitement of buying something special.
- Ring (December 20th, 2013) - “Ben, get here as soon as possible.”
- Goodbye (December 20th, 2013) - One final embrace.
- Broken (December 21st, 2013. 2:00AM) - The first time Izzy laid her head on my lap.
Purgatory Era
2014 - 2018
After the night of my life’s largest loss, this era begins. This era is mainly uneventful, myself living in emotional purgatory and suppression.
No current works in this era have been completed yet. Future titles of this era will include:
- Straight to Voicemail - Sometimes it’s comforting hearing their voice again.
- Decembers - I hate Decembers.
- Office Christmas Party - Me holding a keg as my friend does a keg stand in jean cut-off short-shorts.
- Lapels and Pens - My bespoke suits and gold-nibbed Mont Blanc.
- Summer Shandy - A strange guest shows up at my door with a six pack of Summer Shandy Ale.
Second Hartbeat Era
2018 - 2020
This era follows the events that took place that lead me to seek healing my traumas.
More context in this era will be expanded on when The Hart’s Desire era paintings are completed. Future titles of this era will include:
- People Watching - A past-time. Sometimes with good company.
- You Took Care of Me - Chariot with leather seats await.
- Red Purse - My 29th birthday dinner.
- Last Call (December 21st, 2019) - A final round of drinks with friends.
- The Dam Cracks (December 24th, 2019) - A surrealism explosion of emotions.
- Boujee - A man in a suit confronts a pool boy.
- The Trek Begins - From 262lbs, down to 158lbs…
Escaping Era
2020 - 2023
This era follows me trying to escape the painful memories of my home and seek out peace. Running into difficulties that would lead me back to art while being stuck in Ohio.
More context in this era will be expanded on when The Hart’s Desire era paintings are completed. Future titles of this era will include:
- Fear or Spite
- Circus Act
- Clown in a Two Piece
- Conviction
- Imprisoned
Recovery Era
2024 - present
This era follows dealing with the fallout of the previous events and is when I would begin painting as a necessity. Seeking only a life of being content.
Future titles of this era will include:
- Dove - A man drags on a cigarette, staring at a pigeon under a street light.
- Rehabilitated - A clown sits on the sidewalk, unable to return to the circus.
- Witnessing Escape - An aging man sits at the window, staring out into the snowy landscape.
- Little Reminders - Sometimes something as simple as forgotten hair pin can be a reminder.
- Silver Ballet - An old woman dancing ballet.
- Leather Shoes - Sometimes you step in dog shit with your nice pair of dress shoes, and you just have to fling it off.
- Flame in the Dark - A curious moment of intent focus staring into a candle flame.
- Antoinette - A crack at the state of current modern art.