It is rare you meet someone you instantly like, Ben was that someone. His easy smile and twinkling eyes were clues to his natural curiosity and love of life.
He was a beautiful man who touched peoples lives not only with his talent as an artist but also with his joy of living in harmony with the earth.
Born on the kitchen table during the dustbowl on a Kansas farm, Ben was the youngest of four children. At age three, he loved to draw in the dirt, displaying a passion for art that continued over nine decades.
His art education began after WWII on the GI Bill at Chicago Art Institute and continued at Art Center School in California.
Ben’s early career was as an illustrator in New York where he worked for publications such as Redbook, McCalls, Franklin Library and Reader’s Digest to name a few. His talent was in demand until illustration floundered with the increased use of photography in the late 1980’s.
By 1990, Ben had turned to portraiture. He became one of the top portrait artists in the US represented by Portraits South, Portrait Brokers of America and Portraits Inc. One sample portrait in the window of Portraits Inc. in New York City literally stopped traffic on Park Avenue.
Ben’s real passion was abstract painting which he was finally able to pursue full time after retiring from portraiture at age 82.
His abstract paintings were shown in galleries in NY, CT, RI, NH, VA and the Bahamas and can be found in private collections across the United States, Canada, France and the Bahamas.
Since 2003, Ben delighted in opening his studio and gardens to the public at his home on Payne Road on Block Island. Ben had a singular artistic take on nature which was evident in his paintings, sculptures and gardens.
Ben passed away peacefully in his home on Block Island with his wife, Catherine, and his two sons, Scott and Todd, at his side. In addition, he leaves behind grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, his ex-wife, son-in-law, daughters-in-law and many, many friends. He was predeceased by his daughter, Karen and his daughter-in-law. Ben loved them all.
Donations in Ben’s memory may be made to The Nature Conservancy – Block Island Program or to the Block Island Medical Center.