30 Year Anniversary Art Show Artist Feature: Ben Strawn

As we continue our series of artist features leading up to our 30th anniversary art show, we are thrilled to introduce Ben Strawn, a multifaceted artist whose work spans painting, sculpture, and printmaking. Hailing from Hot Springs, Arkansas, Ben has been long recognized as a creative genius in our community. 

Ben Strawn is bringing a variety of pieces to the 30th anniversary art show, including past personal works and new creations inspired by the show's theme. Among his contributions are larger paintings, sculptures, and even some playful stickers for the merch table. He’s particularly excited about using the show as a deadline to complete a few sculpture projects he has been working on.

Describing his pieces, Ben says, "I'll have a few pieces in the show, and they are all different. The personal works are paintings on layers of plexiglass, giving them a diorama-like feel. I'll also have some Risograph prints, which I print at home on this monstrous GR3770 Riso machine – a piece of art in its own right. I love incorporating toys into my art. One piece features a baba toy that I weathered and placed in a scene, creating a sense of collaboration with the original designer."

The creation process for Ben is immersive and time-intensive, though he doesn’t keep track of the hours. "It takes hours," he says. "Once I decide on a project, I focus on it, often pulling all-nighters. When you enjoy what you're doing, it doesn't feel like any time at all."

For Ben, creativity is an essential part of his existence.

"Creating art is so central to my life that its absence would be like not existing – not to be dramatic," he laughs. "It's a security blanket and a way to connect with people despite being an awkward, shy person. The skills I have from making stuff and solving creative problems give me something valuable to share with others."

Ben is drawn to techniques and materials that add an element of unpredictability to his work. "I am interested in processes that bury my input a little bit," he explains. "With layered plexiglass artwork, there's a material interaction that I can't control. Risograph printing transforms my digital drawings, adding grain and noise, making the art look like something from a 1940s golden book. I enjoy all the imperfections that come out of these processes."

One tool Ben cannot work without is his Risograph printer. "I love having my own printer," he says. "I lucked into getting a really old, broken one for free and managed to fix it up. It has remained a project, and I don't know what I'll do when I can no longer get it running."

At the 30th anniversary art show, Ben is most excited to showcase his personal paintings. "Most of the work I do at B-Unlimited is commercial illustration, so some people I work with aren't aware of my other work. I'm also excited to get some art on the wall from my family. My sisters both paint, my daughter makes beautiful zines and dolls, and my wife is a fashion designer and instructor. Sharing all those connections is something I'm really looking forward to."

Ben's inspirations are varied and whimsical. "Toys, dioramas, children's books, stormy weather, and the promise of rainbows afterward all inspire me," he shares. Although he finds problems with everything he makes, this drive for perfection keeps him experimenting and creating. Currently, he is focused on making a children's book that he plans to self-publish on his Risograph, a project that excites him greatly.

We invite you to follow along with us on Instagram for exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses of our 30-year anniversary art show preparations! Discover sneak peeks of the creative process, including studio insights, artist interviews, and updates on all the exciting developments leading up to the event. Don’t miss out on the journey towards celebrating the talents and creativity of all our featured artists! Follow us on Instagram at @Bunlimited to stay up to date!