Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ben Roseland. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ben, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I’ve been creating art for as long as I can remember—it’s always been a part of me. I earned my BFA in Fine Arts from the Columbus College of Art & Design in 2005, and since then, I’ve dedicated myself to improving both my artistic and business skills. I firmly believe that mastering both is essential for success as an artist.
A lot of what I’ve learned has come through trial and error. I’ve experienced both successes and failures, and it’s the failures that have taught me the most. In the art world, rejection is common. There have been times when I didn’t get accepted into a show I was confident about, or I participated in a show but didn’t sell anything. It’s easy to question yourself: ‘Am I good enough? Is it my art? My prices? Am I in the right places?’ These challenges forced me to develop a distinctive style that helps me stand out and capture people’s attention.
I’ve also learned a lot from my peers by observing successful artists—how they interact with people, the products they offer, how they present their work, and where they choose to sell it.
If I could go back and speed up the learning process, I would have embraced failure sooner and put myself out there at more shows. At the end of the day, being at shows and engaging with people has taught me invaluable lessons about both improving my art and how to sell it.
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’m a contemporary impressionist painter from Granger, IN. I create original landscape paintings inspired by nature and the many places I’ve traveled to. My work is characterized by vibrant colors and bold, heavy brushstrokes. Influenced by my favorite artists—Monet, Van Gogh, and Seurat—I incorporate their techniques while infusing my own identity into each piece. One distinctive element of my style is the use of squares to draw attention to different areas of the painting and guide the viewer’s eye across the composition. My ‘block paintings’ incorporate a three-dimensional element that enhances the sense of depth and perspective, making it feel as if you could walk right into the scene. I enjoy experimenting with my work, so while not all of my pieces are the same, they all have a distinct feel.
My goal is to create artwork that invites viewers to explore the piece from different viewpoints, while creating works that are unmistakably mine. I strive not only to beautify the spaces where my art is displayed but also to spark conversation and provoke thought. Ultimately, I want my art to make people feel happy and inspired.
Recently, I’ve been fortunate to win several awards at different shows, including ‘Best of Painting’ at the Deerfield Art Festival (Deerfield, IL). However, what I’m most proud of is being able to live my dream as a working artist. I truly feel blessed.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
There are many ways people can support artists, and while this may sound obvious, from my perspective, the most impactful way to support an artist is by purchasing their art. I understand that not everyone can invest in an original piece, but many artists, including myself, offer high-quality reproductions like prints, greeting cards, stickers, and more. These make great, unique gifts and help spread the artist’s work to new audiences. I appreciate every sale, big or small, as it allows me to pay my bills and continue creating art.
Beyond purchasing, you can also support artists by engaging with them on social media—liking, commenting, sharing their posts, or simply telling a friend about their work or an upcoming show. Word of mouth is incredibly valuable. I also welcome feedback, as it helps me understand what resonates with people and how I can continue to grow as an artist.
Ultimately, supporting artists helps build a thriving creative ecosystem that benefits everyone. Creativity fuels progress in the world, and whether it’s through financial support or spreading the word, every little bit contributes to the growth and sustainability of the arts.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Artists are some of the most resilient people I’ve ever met. The journey is often filled with rejection and failure, and art isn’t always the most lucrative field, especially when you’re starting out. To succeed as an artist, you have to scratch and claw to find your way. Personally, I’ve experienced a lot of setbacks, but the biggest challenge came three and a half years ago.
In April 2021, at the age of 38, I suffered a widowmaker heart attack with cardiac arrest. It was a life-altering event that left me in really bad shape. I spent six months on bed rest, and during that time, I felt completely drained—physically, emotionally, and creatively. It was one of the darkest periods of my life. I lost all my energy, and with it, every ounce of creativity. I felt empty and uninspired, and for a while, I even considered giving up art altogether. I didn’t know if the ideas would ever come back or if I’d have the energy to continue lugging my art to shows. Financially, the future felt uncertain.
But during that time, I made a promise to myself: I would make whatever lifestyle changes were necessary to regain my health. Slowly, as my health improved, so did my inspiration. Day by day, piece by piece, I started creating again, and since then, I’ve been more focused than ever. I’m now making the best artwork of my life and have experienced a lot of success in recent years. Looking back, that difficult time taught me how deeply connected my health and creativity are and showed me that resilience can fuel new growth and transformation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.benroselandart.com
- Instagram: @benroseland
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benroselandart
