Raised in San Antonio, upon high school graduation Ben attended Texas A&M University. During that time, he studied with Paolo Barruchieri in Italy, in the small town of Castiglion Fiorentino, Tuscany. After coming back to finish his degree in Environmental Design, Ben returned to Italy, where he perfected his drawing skills and met his wife Patrizia, to work at the Italart school for about 2 years. After spending time in Italy, he came back to San Antonio, where he enlisted in the US Army and subsequently spent time in Alabama, Kansas and Hawaii. Upon finishing his service time with the US Army, Ben and his wife and daughter had a short stay in Italy. They returned to San Antonio in 1998 where he has been an Artist, Illustrator and Designer.