Hallelujah draws directly from one of the most haunting verses in Leonard Cohen’s timeless song: “She tied you to the kitchen chair, she broke your throne, and she cut your hair…” This painting is my own interpretation of that imagery, woven into the fabric of my life. It’s not a literal scene, but a narrative that mirrors my own intimate, complicated, and deeply human experience.
The woman in the painting is Gertrude — someone who forced her way into my life at a time when I was emotionally locked away in the deepest shadows of PTSD. For six years after my fiancée’s death, I had been unable to truly feel — I existed in a state of numbness, survival, and emotional suppression. Gertrude saw it. She recognized it because she, too, had walked through her own trauma.
Her love, at first, was an act of gentle care — tending to me, pointing out the ways my soul had been fractured, and showing me what needed to be done to begin healing. Her presence was intimate, grounding, and fiercely compassionate. Through her, I began to feel again — to access emotions I thought were gone forever.
But like the song’s verse, the story turned. My lack of courage to speak my truth, combined with the fragility of trust between us, led to a sudden reversal. What began as care became distance, and what I believed was unshakable intimacy was pierced by betrayal.
This painting sits in that duality — the way love can be both the hands that free you and the hands that bind you. Gertrude was the first person to show me deep, caring love since losing AJ, and though the story ended in heartbreak, she was also the one who broke open the locked door inside me. As much discord she cause, if it wasn’t for Gertrude, I wouldn’t be alive today.
Hallelujah is not just a painting of two figures — it’s a portrait of the complexity of love, trauma, and the way another person’s touch can change the course of your life, for better and for worse.
Ben Young is a contemporary fine artist originally from Appalachia, Ohio. Originally a Software Engineer, he began painting in watercolor and oil less than two years ago, and his work has quickly gained attention for its emotional depth and storytelling. Each piece is a personal narrative, rooted in lived experience and expressed through a sensitive, evocative style. Each piece touches on themes of loss, love, family, and resilience, often drawing from his own life, including the tragic loss of his fiancée and journey it took to overcome those emotional burdens. His paintings resonate with collectors drawn to authenticity, vulnerability, and a fresh, emerging voice in American art.
Hallelujah is available for acquisition as the original oil painting or as a high-quality limited reproduction. Collectors may choose between owning the one-of-a-kind original or a museum-grade print that preserves the emotional depth and detail of the work. Both options offer a meaningful way to bring this powerful and personal piece into your collection.
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Notice: Due to rising production costs and increasing demand, prices will be increasing on all limited reproductions starting October 1st, 2025.
Reproductions are printed on premium archival fine art paper using only the finest archival-grade inks, these works meet the strict standards of giclée printmaking—ensuring exceptional detail, color accuracy, and fade resistance. Designed to preserve the integrity of the original artwork, each reproduction is a museum-quality piece intended to be cherished for generations.
I take the quality of my artwork—both original pieces and limited reproductions—very seriously. Every piece is created and produced with a long-term collector in mind. Whether you're purchasing an original or a reproduction, I ensure that all materials meet archival standards, so your investment will stand the test of time. My reproductions are produced to meet giclée-quality standards for exceptional fidelity and durability.
Hear directly from those who have welcomed my work into their homes. These heartfelt testimonials reflect the emotional connection, quality, and meaning that collectors have found in each piece.
The following works are in order of date the narration takes place, starting after the current painting.
February 26, 2020
February 26, 2020
February 27, 2020
December 22, 2020
April 11, 2021
July 1, 2021
May 20, 2022
October 7, 2022
December 20, 2023
May 28, 2024
September 5, 2024
September 10, 2024
