Hello, I'm Ben Jason Neal

As a professional artist of 30 years I am influenced by people. The behavior, love, anger, compassion and sadness of others intrigues my intellect and compiles my creative process. A never-ending desire to understand and empathize with other humans like myself. The more I interact, learn from, create with other people the more connected I feel to the greater good. The works of the unknown street artists of the world have always brought me the highest inspiration. The need to create and produce art in such a capacity. The drive to express triumphs over safety, the threat of arrest, monetary gain and sometimes even basic human needs. The art must go on! This is the drive and intensity that I seek in my art. To search and seek that level of motive, find it and ride it until it kills me. What I like about what I do, my approach, is that there is little to no control. As an artist I am choosing to give a large amount of creative control to others. This allows me to learn from the visions of others and to influence the creative decisions that I will later make when organizing and executing my work. The reward will be that I listened. The reward will be that others are involved and can have a sense of pride, unity and conglomerativeness in creating something memorable. A legacy.

Ben Jason Neal

Born in West Chester, Ohio

creativeeyecandy@gmail.com | benjasonneal.com | Cincinnati, OH

Education

1998 – Bachelor of Fine Arts, Miami University

Representation

2020 - Pop Revolution Gallery, Mason, OH

2019 - The Greenwich House Gallery, Cincinnati, OH

2018 - ARTFORM, Covington, KY

2017 - POPPED ART Gallery, Cincinnati, OH

2015 - V. Lala Galleries, Destin, FL

2009 - Gallery 42, Mason, OH

2007 - Sweet Art of Mine Gallery, West Chester, OH

2005 - Frame and Save, West Chester, OH

2001 - Art Design Consultants, Cincinnati, OH

1995 - Moss Gallery, Hamilton, OH

Exhibitions

2019 - “Safe Space”, POPPED ART, Cincinnati, OH

2018 - “Impression”, FotoFocus Open Archive, Cincinnati, OH

2018 - “Paper Flowers”, POPPED ART, Cincinnati, OH

2017 - “Toy Sculpture”, Wave Pool Gallery, Cincinnati, OH

2017 - “Impression”, Contemporary Art Center, Cincinnati, OH

2016 - “Intruding Eyes”, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, Hamilton, OH

2013 - “Untitled”, Solo Exhibit, POPPED ART, Cincinnati, OH

2012 - “Red”, Group Exhibit, Gallery 42, Mason, OH

2011 - “The Good, The Bad, The Money”, Group Exhibit, Gallery 42, Mason, OH

2010 - “Modern World”, Solo Exhibit, Pop Revolution Gallery, Mason, OH

2010 - “How Art Saved the World”, Group Exhibit, Gallery 42, Mason, OH

2008 - “Inclusions”, Solo Exhibit, Sweet Art of Mine Gallery, West Chester, OH

2004 - “Cincy Artists Represent”, Group Exhibit, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

2003 - “Fire”, Solo Exhibit, Wilmington College, Wilmington, OH

1998 - “Senior Exhibit”, Hiestand Galleries, Miami University, Oxford, OH

Awards and Grants

2020 - FotoFocus, Cincinnati, OH

2018 - FotoFocus, Cincinnati, OH

2018 - ArtsWave, Catalyzing Impact Grant, Cincinnati, OH

2018 - Center for Great Neighborhoods, Nano Grant, Covington, KY

2017 - ArtsWave, Catalyzing Impact Grant, Cincinnati, OH

2017 - Center for Great Neighborhoods, Nano Grant, Covington, KY

2015 - People’s Liberty, Project Grant, Cincinnati, OH

2007 - Arts Council of West Chester/Liberty Tws., Festival Grant, West Chester, OH

Publications & Media

Schwartz, Kathy. “A Bold Wall of Vintage Ads Recalls Walnut Hills’ History Of Black-Owned Businesses”. CityBeat Cincinnati. Web. June 12, 2018.

Daoud, Natalya. “Lincoln Art Project will shed light on diverse culture in Walnut Hills”. Soapbox Cincinnati. Soapbox Media. Web. January 30, 2018.

Fenno, Megan.“A gallery in a vintage trailer aims to spread the joy of art and community POPP=D ART the brainchild of Tri-State trio”. Scripps Media, Inc. WCPO. Web. October 01, 2017.

Schwartz, Kathy. “Three creatives turn a vintage trailer into a hip mobile art gallery”. CityBeat Cincinnati. July 20, 2016. 22.

Koenig, Caitlin. “Artbeat Brings Unique Artwalk Concept to Short Vine”. Soapbox Cincinnati. Soapbox Media. Web. August 6, 2013.

Creaghead, Caroline. “Grant Yøur øwn Wishes”. Podcast. Nøne of Yøur Business. NøYB. Web. December 2016.

Stinson, Tamia. “Janet Creekmore and Ben Neal of Eye Candy”. Podcast. Creative City with Tamia Stinson. The Style Sample. SOUNDCLOUD. November 2106.

Monks, Michael. “PoppedArt Awarded Grant by People’s Liberty.” Podcast. The River City News. The River City News. iTunes. 31 October 2015.

Commissions

2020 - “Steampunk Paradox”, Paradox Restaurant, Dayton, OH

2018 - “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”, Public Art Installation, Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation, Cincinnati, OH

2015 - “Inspiration”, Public Art Installation, Private Patron, West Chester, OH

Skills

Fine Art, Graphic Design, Social Practice Art, Curation, Oil and Acrylic Painting, Pencil/pastel/charcoal drawing, Art Metals, Printmaking, Sculpture, Fabrication, Project Management, Grant Writing, Master Framer, Carpentry, Wheatpasting