We were lucky to catch up with Ben Law recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ben, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

Everyone is a product of their environment. It’s something that none of us can ultimately escape. When growing up the events that forge you into the person you are, both good or bad are going to stick with you. Likes and dislikes, opinions both original and inherited. These tend to stem from the people and places of your past. I think about this concept frequently whenever I meet a new person. I like to observe the way they carry themselves and the actions they take. I like to imagine how they see the world, what were the factors that made them to the person they are today. How much is unique strictly from spite of their environment, and or how many are just a complete natural extension of their original environment. Other people is one thing, but flipping the script onto yourself is a whole different experience. Its hard sometimes to take a back seat and see yourself in the 3rd person.

My childhood was a troubled one. It was peaceful for a time, however for most of my life…it was a mess. I would not say my relationships with my parents today is a good one, which makes it hard to see the good that my parents have done for me. I have always carved my own path with what I thought was right, other times I simply did the opposite of what my environment was. It was hectic and loud, I am in turn quiet and calm. A large part of my being a large contradiction only done out of necessity and fear.

That’s not to say it was all bad, my parents shared one constant powerful similarity. A love for music, art, poetry, beauty, and nature. All pleasant things, but not always pleasantly presented… So my association with all things art and beauty is one of a dark nostalgia. My passion just as strong as my parents, if not stronger. The music and moments of my childhood, all associated with a bad memories, and yet I was still given the gift of being taught to appreciate beauty. To be able to feel pain so clearly and still see many things as ecstatically beautiful. I in turn, am able to use that in my art. That feeling…a depressing nostalgia, a bittersweet ache. Is what my art is driven by. My parents have given me that gift, and for that I will always be grateful.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am a physical medium artist, specializing in a blend of expressionism, surrealism, and impressionism. My most common mediums being, ink, oil pastels, and various paints. I mostly have my artworks available to purchase, as well as some prints, as well as taking on commissions if the subject matter is something I know I can deliver something amazing on. If you are looking for something a little strange, beautiful, striking, or thought provoking for your wall my art just may be what you need. I am very proud of my distinct styles I carry and the ability to work with many mediums on the fly as well as having the ability to do both semi realistic and abstract imagery.

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I have no real goals or missions when it comes to business or money when it comes to art. I simply want to reach a point where my art is at a point of undeniable beauty. As well as just the sheer amount of work I want to have produced. I have my artistic journey set as a life long pursuit to evolve with my art as I pass through time. To have the ability to look back and see a sea of art and history behind me. My life documented in beauty.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The lesson in short was to aim for perfection. The idea that perfection even exists is a strange one to me now. My art had become in my mind, stale, boring, and clinical to make. I had to rewire my approach. I learned to just let go of my idea of perfectio. I had to learn to be free with my mind and art. There is no right or wrong, only what happens on the page. No need to focus, only trust in your feeling. To attempt to recreate reality I forgot to be creative. To MAKE something my own, a snapshot of my mind. This letting go of the idea of perfection has led my art somewhere I had no idea it could really go. Looking now it seems natural, given my history. However somewhere along in the past I forgot why I made art, and I will never forget why again.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://burntoutart.bigcartel.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burntout.art