We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Benjamin Archibald. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Benjamin below.

Benjamin, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Just over a year ago I created what I call, The Imprint Project. This project started with a simple goal: I wanted to create a piece of art for a fundraiser that would spark emotion—and inspire generous bids. As I thought about how to make it truly meaningful, I began to question the value of a single artist’s work versus something created by many. That’s when it clicked—what if the art was a collective piece, made by the hands of the community?
I knew it needed structure (I’m way too detail-focused for a full-on community abstract), so the paint-by-number format made perfect sense. But more than just making something visually beautiful, I saw an opportunity to inject some pride into our youth in the community and give them a sense of pride, I wanted to give them an opportunity to have their actual signature on a piece of art that sold for thousands.

Of course, the logistics of having kids paint and sign their names got tricky—so I landed on fingerprints. Quick, personal, and symbolic. Each fingerprint is a signature, a literal mark left behind on the canvas. It also removed any pressure around painting skills, making it easy and fun for people of all ages to take part.

And here’s what’s really special: no matter how each fingerprint looks—big, small, neat, messy, thick with paint or barely there—the finished piece is always beautiful. That randomness, that uniqueness, is exactly what makes it work. Just like a community, everyone shows up in their own way. No two contributions are alike, but together, they create something extraordinary.

Since that first piece was completed with imprints from over 1,000 people, we have been asked to assist with nearly a dozen imprint projects in the last year. We are helping nonprofits use these to create funds, organizations, communities and corporations to create memories and connections, while also being left with a masterpiece that’s a keepsake for decades to come!

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.

My name is Ben Archibald, and my deepest passion lies in bringing people together and breaking down the barriers that keep communities from connecting on a meaningful level. This desire stems from personal experience—growing up in an environment that was closed off to those outside our belief system. I was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, where judgment toward outsiders was normalized and connection was conditional.

That worldview came into sharp focus when my second son was born and required a life-saving blood transfusion. At the time, I stood with the religion and opposed the procedure. But after the doctors intervened, took us to court, and ultimately saved his life, I had to confront a painful truth: I had nearly fought for my own son’s death in the name of belief. That moment changed everything. I stepped away from the religion, choosing instead to follow what I knew in my heart was right—giving my sons the best chance at life and freedom.

That choice came at a cost. For the past 11 years, my parents and all four of my siblings have cut off all communication with me. That deep loss of connection left a lasting mark—but it also lit a fire in me to build something better. To create spaces where people could feel seen, included, and safe to be themselves.

Art has been my vehicle for that connection. While it has always been an outlet and escape for me, everything changed the day I painted alongside 1,000 others on a single collaborative piece. That experience opened my eyes to how art could bridge divides and foster a sense of unity and belonging. It sparked a dream I had once dismissed—the idea of becoming a full-time artist.

Now, as others begin to engage with and support my work, I’ve leaned in. I paint more regularly, sharing my love for wildlife and the natural world on canvas. Most of my pieces center around a single creature—beings I feel connected to during the painting process. Each animal becomes a kind of mirror, reflecting qualities I’m striving to embody: strength, radiance, elegance, and quiet power. Through my art, I hope to inspire others to step into their own greatness, just as these animals have helped me step into mine. These qualities are what I wish to embody, to give back, and set an example for my beautiful family which consists of my soul mate shares my love for art, opening yet another business, she recently opened a Paint and Sip Bar in our hometown of Bristol, and my three children whom I strive everyday to be the best I can be for.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

For a long time, I believed certain things were out of reach for me.

I boxed myself in, labeling others with titles and assigning them a status I believed I didn’t belong to. I saw people as “above” me—more capable, more deserving—and in doing so, I unintentionally gave myself a different label: less than. That mindset became a mental barrier, one that limited what I thought I could achieve or become.

But over time, I’ve come to realize that we’re all human. Nothing that’s been done before is truly unattainable. The titles we assign to others—or to ourselves—are often illusions that keep us from stepping into our full potential.

Letting go of that belief helped me see something even deeper: some of our most private, internal thoughts aren’t as unique as we think. The things we’re afraid to say out loud, the doubts or fears we carry quietly—chances are, our friends, families, and neighbors have felt them too. When we don’t share those thoughts, we build walls between us. But when we do open up and speak them, we discover just how much we have in common.

It’s through that vulnerability that real connection happens. We begin to see each other—not just as individuals, but as fellow humans navigating similar experiences. And in that space, empathy grows, walls fall, and genuine community begins.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Contribution

It doesn’t matter what our contribution looks like—whether it’s big or small, bold or quiet—what matters is that we each offer something. When we all do our part, we help create something beautiful in the world. And in the process, something beautiful forms within us too: a sense of pride, self-worth, and peace.

This is the heart of our Imprint Projects. Creating collaborative masterpieces using fingerprints is a powerful way to show this truth. Every fingerprint is unique—some are bold with paint, some light and delicate; some are large, messy, or imperfect. Yet when we step back and look at the full piece, those differences fade into something stunning and unified.

The messiness doesn’t matter. The size of the contribution isn’t judged. Together, it becomes a physical and symbolic reminder of what’s possible when we all show up—just as we are—and make our mark.

The healing we can do within ourselves, and as a community through contribution, is incredible!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.BenjaminArchibald.com
• Instagram: @Ben_On_A_Quest
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benjamin.archibald.583

Image Credits

All Images are owned by myself.