Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ben Rodgers. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Ben thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The Hidden Treasures of Richard H. Rodgers!

Studied illustrations under Thorton Oakley at the School of Industrial Art. Then studied landscape and figure painting under Henry Snell, Emil Gruppe and other prominent artists.

For about 8 years, he wrote and drew the comic strip “Snubs, The Diary of Our Dog” for the Christian Science Monitor.

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.

Richard H. Rodgers is my grandfather, and when he passed away in 1978 he left about 100 paintings in the basement. Nobody in our family knew what to do with his art collection, so the paintings were boxed up and hidden in storage for over 40 years! One day I decided to pull the boxes out of storage and show them to a local art gallery. The lady’s mouth hit the floor and she said whatever you do, don’t put these paintings back in the box. I asked what I should do with them, so she recommended that I license the images and gave me a few pointers. Inspired and confused, I taught myself how to find art manufacturers, secure contracts and create a brand. Since that day, I’ve been earning royalties every quarter consistently for the last decade.

My first contract was a pillow manufacturer who sold about 300 pillows. The next contract was a wall art manufacturer who sold hundreds of prints to Bealle’s Department Store and HomeGoods. Other contracts were with tile companies and online manufacturers. Then I got the coolest contract ever…the producers of The Walking Dead bought 2 prints to use on the show!

I’ve done art showings at the Georgetown Public Library, coffee shops and a day spa. Currently, I teach artists how to license their artwork.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to teach as many people as I can to develop their talents. I believe that anyone can learn how to create a brand and turn that into extra income. There are simple steps to take in order to get started, along with hard work and education to grow your business. There are things to avoid as well. I hope my teachings will inspire others to unlock their ideas and dreams, to take a risk and learn from criticism instead of letting it weigh them down, and to enjoy their journey to success.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Anyone who thinks that they’re not creative or talented enough to be an artist, should reconsider those thoughts. With the right instructions, it’s not difficult to create art, sculptures or other products that can be sold. The key is knowing what steps to take to get started, how to create your niche, and things to avoid. It’s more about making smart decisions and persistence, than relying on natural talent.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.richardhrodgers.com