Benjamin Rodgers
Contemporary Artist
benj_rodg
About
Biography
I am Benjamin Rodgers, a contemporary artist with a comic-inspired style who grew up in Lumberton, North Carolina. Growing up in a place with its challenges and personality, I have always been known as “the smart kid who could draw.” Drawing has always been a fun pastime for me, and it’s become a main source of exploring and communicating ideas and stories.
I studied art professionally at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and have honed my skills independently—particularly in anatomy and overall composition. My primary mediums are graphite and ink, though I’m also continuing to expand my practice into digital work.
Currently, my work focuses on themes of personal identity and nostalgia. I explore ways of finding one’s identity—not just through art, but in life—and how moments of childlike joy can offer clarity or reprieve in times of confusion. I seek to blend energetic and playful styles with introspective content to reconnect with those nostalgic moments while reflecting on the evolving journey of self-discovery.
I primarily use graphite and ink to create two-dimensional illustrations on paper, reflecting the process of coming up with an idea and putting it onto paper. What inspires my work isn’t necessarily derivative on one or a select few number of artists, but the work of many different artists and seeing how creative or intuitive they can be by breaking the mold and transforming what is traditional within the media they work with. When I look at interesting works, I always think about how I can interpret my own ideas in such a manner. My process involves using graphite to create a foundation to follow and draw on top of with ink liner. I transform the foundation into something more complex to reflect creativity. There isn’t a set goal to achieve with these works, nor are there any special techniques that I use, but ultimately all that matters is if it connects with someone. I want the audience to be able to appreciate it become inspired, and perhaps I could also find inspiration in what they create as well.
Portfolio
CONTACT
brodg002@gmail.com