Meet Benjamin Lavender | Sculptor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Benjamin Lavender and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Benjamin, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Well, as an artist, the idea of working for oneself started early. It’s just taken the time to juggle everything else involved other than creating art.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Create everyday. For awhile. Figure out what you love to create and what makes yourself happy. Then, do not ever get a “job” that is exactly that. Always keep your true passion to yourself. Then, figure out how to sell it.
Creating has always been a necessary process in my life, From an early age, I got significant recognition from art teachers, so I naturally went with the encouragement.

I eventually found my passion for welding and metal after discovering that I am naturally inclined towards three dimensional art after working with ceramics prior.

Over the years I have developed my unique style of mixing metals and glass, along with odd material one may not even notice. I enjoy making organic shapes with elegant lines reminiscent of botanicals, figures, abstract, and now glance realism that include my latest obsession which is birds, Hummingbirds in particular, have moved in and have been the point of my success.

The key was finding a small sellable product that was within my passion, and owning everything. I have been selling directly to collectors through ArtWalk’s in San Diego.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well. The list is long in San Diego. All depends on what you like. Start with a drive over the Coronado bridge to get a view of the city and a lay of the land. Lunch in Little Italy, check out some art galleries. Check out Balboa Park and see what’s happening at the museums. La Jolla. Art. Seals. Posh. From there we can take a tour of my permanent pieces around the area, which include San Diego Zoo, San Diego Botanical Garden, Cuaymaca Water Conservation Garden, Alta Vista Gardens. If timed right, my upcoming show at Oceanside Museum of Art along with Artwalk Carlsbad. The cactus garden in the park is my jam.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
James Halfacre

Website: www.benjaminlavender.com

Instagram: @benjaminjplavender

Image Credits
James Halfacre