Ben Kelley is an abstract painter living in Corvallis, OR. Ben’s compositional signature is a central focus on letters as objects. The text acts as a symbol and figurative element; the works create sound without words. The paint seems to reverberate off each letter, creating a field of vowels, consonants, and color. 

The vibrant colors and energetic compositions found in Ben Kelley’s paintings make it difficult to believe that he only began painting recently. Using vivid color schemes and text as shapes, Ben Kelley creates energizing harmonies on canvas. His compositions often emerge as fascinating landscapes, and he chooses the colors and shapes 'just from [his] memory.'

For example, his painting "Mr. C" (a small square painting with red, orange and yellow hues) "is ants on an ant farm." This painting shows that while he is unafraid of indulging in the entire rainbow, he shows restraint and choice in his palette and imagery. Ben explains that he chooses his colors based on memory and that his 'mind just said 'go for it!' ' when he started painting.

Another painting entitled "Two Big M’s" has two glowing Ms suspended on top of one another over a lavender color field with a creamy green border. This work holds echoes of color theorist Joseph Albers, but with a more organic and free approach that borders on narrative with the jumbled letters that show up. Interestingly, Ben's drawings yield something completely different!

With pencils and markers on paper, he creates frenetic scenes of centipedes and spiders in a chaotic garden party, with decisive edges and an almost narrative scene. Regardless of his chosen medium, Ben Kelley treats the entire page with attention and care, inviting us into a world of memories soaked in color and texture.