Welcome

Here you will find artwork and writing projects I've been working on. Over the years, I've been inspired to explore the world through an artist’s eyes. Recently, I’ve come to feel that the label of "artist" can carry more weight than is useful. I prefer to say I am a maker. I enjoy crafting illustrations, stories, and writing poetry.

Much of my current work focuses on creating board games, which are projects I haven’t shared publicly yet. Additionally, I am passionate about teaching the arts. My goal as a teacher is to empower others to embrace their own creativity and step into the role of creator.

Enjoy exploring the site, and feel free to stay in touch!

~Ben
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Are paintings not tied to the existence of life?

Could it be that a painting's expression is not tied to a physical reality? I find myself pondering what painting means to me. Paintings can take on meaning beyond how an artist identifies them. Paintings are meaningful to all different kinds of people for many different reasons.

I have been feeling ambivalent when describing myself as a painter. I have been struggling with affirming that this is who I am in the world. I imagine this struggle will continue as I have not truly discovered the meaning of my work yet. In the meantime, I marvel at the devotion of other artists I know, their commitment to their work, and even sometimes their mastery.

Maybe a painting is not only a physical thing but something that evokes a spontaneous presence separate from this known reality. Let us consider that a painting might be a source of meaning not limited by time and space. Instead of filling the world with objects, our goal as artists is to fill the world with meaning. When an art form is truly thriving it transcends the physical and becomes part of the metaphysical. I believe this is easier to see with poetry than with painting. I sometimes feel the weight of what I am creating. I find the accumulation of objects to be stifling at times. I often feel the heaviness of our placement of identity as a source of meaning. However, I believe it is possible, an artwork might be a source of transcendence rather than merely devotion.

Here is an example of a painting I made that found a voice beyond what I intended for. The journey of this painting felt spontaneous and surprising as it made its way into other people's lives.
Here Now by Ben Marder.
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Off The Wall @ River Gallery School.

I work at the River Gallery School in Brattleboro, VT. To raise money for the school, many artists donate paintings for a lottery where every participant wins a work of art. There are many impressive paintings, and it is a no-brainer for only a $125 ticket. See the link below for more information.

Spirit Of Three

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Our Wonder

Poetry by Ben Marder

Over the surface, we wander
along the river where forgotten leaves rest in dark pools
now stuck on the shoreline. 
It occurs to us that this may be an unpleasant reality. 
Yet here a bird is content by the base of this bush,
feet in the dark mud.
He is a child of this sullen stream. 
I notice the bird has a light tied to his legs and the making of it all.
Beyond the banks, colors rise. 
I catch myself moving along the eddies
wondering about these complexities.
How a bird's thoughts can feel
like goosebumps on a child's tender skin. 
The eyes beyond his beak, 
flicker with dark leaps. 
It has gained the insight of 
how to let go of the dark corners of the earth, 
for we are not the keepers or makers of it all.
From all directions, life speaks
not weighed out in the rights or the wrongs
but simply brought to the surface.
A light on a boat passes by our noticing.
The sky settles into the earthen clay of brick homes,
and we wonder about who lives there.
All along the banks, we hold onto our wonder.

© Ben Marder

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Spirit Bowers: A Celebration of Spring

A Spirit Bower is a home for a spirit. 
In spring, we observe that everything is changing. 
Mother earth is growing, and therefore, 
we can see the multitude of spirits in action. 

Making a spirit bower is a great way to tune into nature. 
Place a Spirit Bower somewhere on your walk or
in your garden.
This place is a small home filled with light. 
Return to it later in the season and
notice everything in and around it has changed. 

Make Spirit Bowers with your family to celebrate spring,
and bring your noticing to the natural world.

~~~
Sign up for my mailing list to receive an illustrated pdf on how to make a Spirit Bower. Or otherwise simply contact me and I will send it to you.   
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Little Eddaling

Mother Earth holds a baby Eddaling seed.
An Eddaling is a creature that begins its life in a seedpod on a tree. The Stars have brought this Eddaling to the Earth and now she must venture into the world to discover herself. 
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