There are some walks we get to take — and some that live only in the quiet corners of our hearts. One Last Walk With Izzy is one of those moments I never had, but always wished for.
Izzy came into my life alongside my late fiancée, AJ. She was a rescued Border Collie, carrying the weight of scars — both the ones you could see, and the ones you couldn’t. She had been abused before we found her, devocalized by a previous owner, and at first, she was afraid of me. She clung to AJ for comfort, keeping her distance from my presence.
The night AJ died, I came home shattered and hollow. It was that night, for the first time, that Izzy quietly walked over and laid her head on my lap. No words could have passed between us, but in that moment, we became the only family we had left of the life AJ and I had dreamed of. From then on, Izzy never left my side.
Through the years, she was my shadow — on every trail, every errand, every quiet evening. When COVID struck and I found myself working from home, my days as a software engineer were spent with Izzy at my feet. I had finally regained the strength to be active again, but by then, she had grown too old, too fragile. The hills we once roamed together in Southeast Ohio were no longer hers to conquer.
This painting is not a memory, but a wish. A wish for one last golden afternoon, walking side by side through the rolling Appalachia hills. A wish for one final chance to feel the sun on our backs and the earth under our feet, to watch her ears catch the wind, and to know she was still keeping pace beside me.
I never had that walk — so I painted it.
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.
While the original watercolor painting 'One Last Walk With Izzy' has been sold, limited edition limited reproductions are still available in various sizes. This emotionally resonant piece continues to connect with collectors, and these high-quality prints offer a meaningful way to bring its story into your own space.
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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.
May 20, 2022
October 7, 2022
December 20, 2023
May 28, 2024
September 5, 2024
September 10, 2024
