Greetings! I'm Ben, and within these pages is a world shaped by my hands and heart. Each creation holds a piece of my story, an invitation for you to explore my journey through the sculptures born from my heart and made into tangible forms by my hands. This site and the images and words within is my way of opening up to the world, an opportunity for me to give back to the universe by sharing what has flowed through me. If you're moved to do so, I invite you to connect through the "contact" tab and share your thoughts. I'm genuinely curious to hear from all of you.

My journey as a sculptor began in 2010, ignited by a fervor and zeal I couldn't quite grasp at the time. Initially, my sculptures featured deliberate "gaps," symbolic of relationships severed or forever transformed. Subsequent series veered from such deeply personal representations, focusing instead on the aesthetic and form, free from direct representation. Amidst these explorations, a recurring shape emerged – the circle, a central motif that persists in my work to this day.

The process of sculpting is incredibly cathartic for me, a sentiment that reverberates from the titles of my pieces, each offering a glimpse into my personal journey. Titles like: "Unsure," "Hesitant," "Hole in my heart," "Everything is going to be okay," "separated together," and "endure" speak volumes about the emotions woven into my work.

Over the years, my sculptures have grown fluid and organic, shedding rigidity for a more natural essence. While I've spoken of my work as inspired by nature, architecture, and relationships, it's always been an introspective exploration, a quest to find where I fit in this world.

Like many artists, my creations bear profound personal significance that might not be immediately apparent. Early in my career, I grappled with the pressure of succinct artist statements, attempting to package my intentions into digestible sound bites. I admit, I swayed towards what I thought others wanted to hear, dancing around the deeper truths. The reality is, my work is a tangible extension of 'me,' encompassing both the brighter and the shadowy facets. Sculpting became my sanctuary, a means to cope with and externalize my battles with TRAUMA and DEPRESSION. I know it's not an easy topic to broach, mental health issues like depression, PTSD, and anxiety are weighty subjects to integrate into one's work. But I found it so important to do so.

By revealing this, my past and present artwork titles start to connect the dots. Depression has been a long-standing companion, preceding even my artistic journey. It's a chapter of my life I've only begun to openly discuss with loved ones. And now, I feel compelled to share this openly with a broader audience. I believe my art can touch hearts and minds, and I have a sense of duty to extend a hand.

Maybe witnessing my transformation of depression into something positive will inspire others.

Perhaps my story can be a beacon of HOPE for those who've felt lost.

My candidness about my struggles might open a necessary dialogue, enabling others to seek help.

Above all, I want you to know—you're not alone.

If you feel like you don’t have anyone, and just need to talk: click the “contact” page to reach out. or dial 988

To you beautiful brave souls that have reached out. Thank you for sharing part of your story.

“endure” (2020)

stainless steel

7.5ft x 5ft x 5ft

Community Park.

Jefferson City, MO.

(SOLD)

“Crystalline” (2019)

stainless steel

12ft x 7ft x 8ft

*Funded by Beltline Arts: Atlanta GA

“meraki” (2019)

stainless steel and steel

7ft x 18in x 18in

“the sum of our parts” (2018)

stainless steel

10ft x 5ft x 3ft

Arrowhead Park.

Neenah, WI.

(SOLD)

“universal inseparability” (2018)

stainless steel

11ft x 5ft x 5ft

“the shape of happiness” (2018)

stainless steel

13ft x 5ft x 3ft

*Funded by: the City of Elgin and the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission

(SOLD)

“through” (2018)

stainless steel and steel

7ft x 3ft x 18in

“here comes the sunset” (2018)

powder coated steel

7ft x 3ft x 3ft

“sanguine” (2018)

steel, stainless steel, & paint

7ft x 3ft x 3ft

“sprout” (2017)

powder coated steel

9ft x 3ft x 3ft

Hessel Park: Champaign, Il (SOLD)

“the arrangement of 3 circles” (2017)

galvanized steel

9ft x 5ft x 4ft

Delta State University.

Cleveland, MS

(SOLD)

“reach!” (2016)

stainless steel

15.5ft x 4ft x 3ft

“skyward” (2016)

stainless steel

13ft x 5ft x 5ft

“beginnings” (2016)

galvanized steel

6.5ft x 6ft x 3ft

“key to success” (2016)

stainless steel

8ft x 8ft x 22in

Army Corps of Engineers Research Lab

Champaign-Urbana, IL

(SOLD)

“here comes the sun” (2016)

powder coated steel

7ft x 3ft x 3ft

“hole in my heart” (2016)

steel, stainless steel & paint

9.5ft x 4ft x 3ft

“everything will be ok” (2016)

steel and paint

14ft x 4ft x 2ft

Faye’s Field Park

Bettendorf, IA

(SOLD)

“steady” (2015)

steel and paint

12ft x 6ft x 3ft

Hagan Foundation Office

Roswell, GA.

(SOLD)

“Unsure” (2015)

steel

12ft x 6ft x 7ft

(retired)

“Dissident” (2018)

steel and paint

10ft x 3ft x 2ft

(SOLD)

“hesitant” (2014)

steel and paint

10ft x 3ft x 3ft

(SOLD)

“focus” (2014)

steel and paint

7.5ft x 3ft x 3ft

(SOLD)

“triumph” (2014)

steel and paint

10.5ft x 3ft x 2ft

“to focus” (2014)

steel and paint

8ft x 3ft x 3ft

“growing UP” (2012)

steel, stainless steel, & bricks

12ft x 3ft x 3ft

(SOLD)

“propensity” (2014)

steel and paint

8ft x 3ft x 2ft

“lineage” (2012)

steel, bricks, & paint

7.5ft x 3ft x 3ft

“moon rising” (2013)

steel and paint

12ft x 3ft x 2ft

(SOLD)

“closer separation” (2011)

steel w/ patina

10ft x 5ft x 2ft

Splinter Creek Subdivision

Oxford, MS.

(SOLD)

“keep it together” (2012)

steel, siding, wood, & paint

7ft x 6ft x 3ft

"separated together" (2010)

steel and paint

8ft x 6ft x 3.5ft

University of Illinois at Champain-Urbana

(SOLD)

Benches

“bench, please!” (2019)

steel, treated lumber, & paint

4ft x 11ft x 3ft

Wall Art & Signs

“diligence”

“loosely connected II”

“isn’t that a chainsaw?”

“circular logic”

“disconnected”

“de stijl”

“separated together”

“stranded”

“sober”

“loosely connected”

“AZZ sign”

“north pointing arrow”