Today we’d like to introduce you to Benjamin Young.
Hi Benjamin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I began painting in December 2023, with no formal art background beyond an eighth-grade class. I did take some years of private school in adolescence at the Canton Art Institute. Mainly, I just ran across an old Crayola watercolor palette one day and decided to give it a try. It was both a moment of winter boredom, and I was using it as a mechanism to deal with a lot of anxiety from a recent trauma I was trying to overcome at the time. I painted a few pieces and enjoyed it, so I decided to practice more. Initially, I didn’t think my art was sellable, but I had a few people contact me interested in buying my paintings, and I have successfully sold those. I kept going ever since. Hopefully, continuously improving, even after winning several juried awards.
I also left behind a career in Software Engineering. Although I still use those skills today in setting up my website, sales funnel, and marketing tools, I used to utilize reach and engagement with others to try to sell my work to people who enjoy my art and stories.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No. My art is closely tied to my life, and the tone of my work closely mirrors my current emotions. Painting has helped deal with those emotions, but I have had several large life tragedies since I started painting. About a year ago, I was hit by a car while commuting on my bicycle, and I’m still dealing with revisiting physical therapy with the consequences of that accident. At the same time, both a blessing and a curse, the CAT scan from that accident has led to what is now a high-potential cancer scare, for which I am scheduled for surgery soon. Dealing with those issues will just require time and strength to endure, though, and I guarantee I’ll have success even if it’s a worse case scenario.
I’ve also learned that certain elements in my local art community are incredibly negative. Some people involved in the art community will go out of their way to be negative and continuously harass you. They are far and few but can be loud and unrelenting, and I have learned to ignore them and avoid them. At the same time, there are an incredible number of people who are wonderfully supportive and filled with kindness. I guess you could say the community can be more polar than the professional office environment I’m used to, so it just comes down to learning to stick with people who relish being kind and caring to everyone else.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ve primarily worked in watercolor, occasionally exploring oil, with a focus on narrative realism. My approach is rooted in expressing emotion first and capturing values second—if a painting evokes a genuine emotional response in someone, then I consider it a success.
Interestingly, many viewers have compared my style to that of Andrew Wyeth, a connection I wasn’t initially aware of until it was pointed out to me. After exploring his work, I realized the resemblance is purely intuitive—an organic outcome of my own developing expression and technique. Techniques and use of pigments we both have conclusively discovered to share in common.
Much of my work is drawn from personal experience, emotion, and past trauma. Through this visual storytelling, I aim to create work that resonates with others on a deeply human level.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Colors do not matter. Values do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://benjaminjyoung.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artistbenyoung/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artist.benjamin.young
