J Ben Hartley

My latest work further investigates the ever fluctuating, yet age old concern, of vanity. As the years pass, styles come in and out, new ideas of beauty emerge, and with those ideas, extremes of how to capture such a beauty are desired while others are left behind. Such suggestions of beauty are broadcast from birth until death, and with this pressure, where are the individuals who, whether trapped or openly embracing these ideals, left? Are these people wrong for embracing such ideals? Through participating in our culture's image of vanity, how does it veil many from their own natural beauty? What is the attraction that exists in either the act or outcome of these rituals? And where is the line drawn between self-inflicting harm versus “self-improvement”? These are some of the questions that my work is beginning to explore through the use of both oil on canvas and pastels on paper.

I entered into Bowling Green State University's Fine Art program in 2005 where I am working toward a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis on two-dimensional studies. During my first two years there, I was a resident of BGSU’s Arts Village and I continue to be an active leader in Bowling Green's [Cru].

Upon graduation from high school, I earned the Alvord-Little Fine Arts Scholarship from SHS and the Incoming Talent Award from BGSU. In the spring of 2006, Bowling Green State University awarded me the Freshman Art Scholarship for the coming academic year, in 2007 the Sophomore Art Scholarship, and in 2008 the Junior Art Schoilarship. During spring break, 2006, I traveled with others from the Arts Village to the American Southwest to observe and participate in the culture and art of that region.

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Right now I am vigorously making more work as I am preparing to enter into Masters of Fine Arts program.

I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I want to be.

I am not what I hope to be. But still, I am not what I used to be.
And by the grace of God, I am what I am.
-- John Newton