Growing up in rural Maryland, my imagination and curiosity were shaped by bike rides, exploring creeks, and playing with garden snakes and bugs much to my mother’s constant surprise. I had trouble reading as a child, which in hindsight made me realize the power of visual story telling. When I wasn’t playing outside, I was absorbing cartoons and picture books. Later in life, I discovered the world of tabletop gaming which further fueled my love for adventure, fantasy, and collaboration.  

My career began working at a nonprofit supporting adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. During this time, I began a daily drawing practice, spending nearly a decade teaching myself how to make images before deciding to pursue a degree in fine art with the goal of teaching.    

This unique timeline gave me deep appreciation for creativity and storytelling. I am drawn to traditional materials like gouache, colored pencils and crayons that allow for spontaneity and imperfections. I love to create fun, vibrant, and dynamic characters that exist in fantastical settings with a little thrill of the unknown. I create because I want to make people smile. I hope my work inspires people of all ages to pick up their pencils and discover that they don’t need a perfect or predictable path to create their own adventures. 

Picture book representation by Wendy Lynn & Co., LLC.

Contact: Ben@benstaten.com