Today we’d like to introduce you to Benjamin Knox.
Hi Benjamin, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
This story really does not start with me. It’s about the “art spirit” that seems to wander across the globe effortlessly, like on the wind, touching people regardless of location and circumstances. Once you are touched, you know it. You are drawn to the creative process, but then the questions evolve. “Do you follow this passion to be a creative?” “Can you make a living with your art?” It’s risky. Often the people around you will try to guide you away from it, telling you that you can’t make it professionally as an artist, especially if the arts are uncommon where you are at. That’s when the universe tests your commitment to have the faith and perseverance to pursue it. This is fascinating to me. I see people all of the time that have either made the choice to pursue their art with unyielding vigor and others who have given up, especially when they have gotten older and their obligations have increased.
I good friend and mentor of mine was touched by the art spirit while growing up in Viet Nam. They didn’t have money for any type of drawing instruments, so he would constantly draw using sticks, charcoal, anything. He never gave up on his passion and now is one of the most celebrated oil painters living today.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The “art spirit” touched me when I was a young boy growing up on a horse ranch with a single mom on the dusty plains of West Texas. I was always drawing and creating, and people around me treated it as a “passing phase”, not a passion or potential livelihood. Encouraged to use my creativity towards something practical, I enrolled in architecture at Texas A&M University and joined the Corps of Cadets. I was completely responsible for my life and college expenses, so by my sophomore year, I was out of money. My art career was then forged out of desperation, I turned to my artistic abilities to create artwork to sell to fellow students. By the time I completed the corps and graduated, I had a thriving art career and the first artist gallery in College Station. This month marks my 35th anniversary. My gallery/art center has become a prominent landmark in College Station with the area’s first wine bar and event venue. I designed my gallery as an exact replica of the College Station train depot (the namesake of the city), and it was dedicated by Texas Governor Rick Perry. The facility also has an historic 1905 caboose that I acquired from Santa Monica, CA (soon to be restored). Through the years, I have gained tremendous experience and insight through the challenges of being a professional artist with a large personal gallery. For many of those years, I have shared as much as possible to help cultivate the “art spirit” in the next generation by being a professor of art and design in Visualization and guest lecturer in business classes at Texas A&M.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
All types of art intrigue me. I have chosen to pursue capturing the spirit of my subjects positively. I work in oil, watercolor, charcoal, graphite, photography, and printing. I recently had the fun opportunity to create all of the artwork for the Embassy Suites Hotel in College Station (682 art pieces), and each room was themed using the different mediums so that the hotel still has variety, even though entirely created by one artist. I create art pieces that promote many of our national universities, our heritage, the military, important landmarks, people, and landscapes. I was fortunate as my career was just developing to be the artist for 41st President George Bush when he dedicated his library and museum in College Station. He became a friend and inspiration to me. This last year, I was able to honor my friend with a giant commissioned oil painting for the main lobby to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Bush School entitled “The Ride Home”. It depicts when President Bush was brought back to College Station via the 4141 train to his final resting place. Many doors have opened as my career has advanced. Some highlights thus far include creating the official gift of Texas given by Governor Rick Perry, creating the Native Texan License plate, helping the Alamo and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and being able to help so many national charities, universities, and people in need through my art.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Success is measured by how many people you serve. The more that artists strive to help and inspire others in their community, the more success and personal fulfillment that they will experience. Your community could start local and grow global. If someone is touched by the “art spirit”, it is the passion that is the gift. Talent and skill is developed with persistence and dedication. It is a continual growth process. You are not too young or too old to start that process. If the passion is there, start your artistic journey, even if it is taking small steps at first. Keep it fun.
As you develop as a professional, you must build a great support team around you, people that encourage you. My wife is the executive director of the gallery/ art center, and the team is made up of many enthusiastic people, most of them affiliated with Texas A&M since we are in College Station. They help me to balance my time for creating and to keep the gallery/art center running smoothly.
Contact Info:
- Website: benjaminknox.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benjaminknoxgallery/
- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/benjaminknoxgallery/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminknox/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BenjaminKnox
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@benjaminknox6056
Image Credits
Benjamin and Renee Knox
