This mostly recent group of paintings is in response to past years’ unprecedented events and activities, where the inordinate amount of highs and lows demanded respite. With these works my process seemed to be an escape from a unique year and was driven by my process of recounting housed memories. The birds or their reference are players here, because they have remained constant in my daily activities reminding me that it all is okay.

Conversations along with some fleeting images that served as reminders of places, objects, designs, etc. have served as my impetus for these visual explorations. This was a conscious effort of mine to shed the present and actively participate with the inspired memories. The gun and hammer imagery have faded in this group of works, while mostly birds serve the relationship metaphor, whether building, destroying or just providing a path outside the compositions.

“Every corner in a house, every angle in a room, every inch of secluded space in which we like to hide, or withdraw into ourselves, is a symbol of solitude for the imagination; that is to say, it is the germ of a room, or of a house.”  – Gaston Bachelard

This mostly recent group of paintings is in response to past years’ unprecedented events and activities, where the inordinate amount of highs and lows demanded respite. With these works my process seemed to be an escape from a unique year and was driven by my process of recounting housed memories. The birds or their reference are players here, because they have remained constant in my daily activities reminding me that it all is okay.

Conversations along with some fleeting images that served as reminders of places, objects, designs, etc. have served as my impetus for these visual explorations. This was a conscious effort of mine to shed the present and actively participate with the inspired memories. The gun and hammer imagery have faded in this group of works, while mostly birds serve the relationship metaphor, whether building, destroying or just providing a path outside the compositions.

“Every corner in a house, every angle in a room, every inch of secluded space in which we like to hide, or withdraw into ourselves, is a symbol of solitude for the imagination; that is to say, it is the germ of a room, or of a house.”  – Gaston Bachelard

This mostly recent group of paintings is in response to past years’ unprecedented events and activities, where the inordinate amount of highs and lows demanded respite. With these works my process seemed to be an escape from a unique year and was driven by my process of recounting housed memories. The birds or their reference are players here, because they have remained constant in my daily activities reminding me that it all is okay.

Conversations along with some fleeting images that served as reminders of places, objects, designs, etc. have served as my impetus for these visual explorations. This was a conscious effort of mine to shed the present and actively participate with the inspired memories. The gun and hammer imagery have faded in this group of works, while mostly birds serve the relationship metaphor, whether building, destroying or just providing a path outside the compositions.

“Every corner in a house, every angle in a room, every inch of secluded space in which we like to hide, or withdraw into ourselves, is a symbol of solitude for the imagination; that is to say, it is the germ of a room, or of a house.”  – Gaston Bachelard

This mostly recent group of paintings is in response to past years’ unprecedented events and activities, where the inordinate amount of highs and lows demanded respite. With these works my process seemed to be an escape from a unique year and was driven by my process of recounting housed memories. The birds or their reference are players here, because they have remained constant in my daily activities reminding me that it all is okay.

Conversations along with some fleeting images that served as reminders of places, objects, designs, etc. have served as my impetus for these visual explorations. This was a conscious effort of mine to shed the present and actively participate with the inspired memories. The gun and hammer imagery have faded in this group of works, while mostly birds serve the relationship metaphor, whether building, destroying or just providing a path outside the compositions.

“Every corner in a house, every angle in a room, every inch of secluded space in which we like to hide, or withdraw into ourselves, is a symbol of solitude for the imagination; that is to say, it is the germ of a room, or of a house.”  – Gaston Bachelard

This mostly recent group of paintings is in response to past years’ unprecedented events and activities, where the inordinate amount of highs and lows demanded respite. With these works my process seemed to be an escape from a unique year and was driven by my process of recounting housed memories. The birds or their reference are players here, because they have remained constant in my daily activities reminding me that it all is okay.

Conversations along with some fleeting images that served as reminders of places, objects, designs, etc. have served as my impetus for these visual explorations. This was a conscious effort of mine to shed the present and actively participate with the inspired memories. The gun and hammer imagery have faded in this group of works, while mostly birds serve the relationship metaphor, whether building, destroying or just providing a path outside the compositions.

“Every corner in a house, every angle in a room, every inch of secluded space in which we like to hide, or withdraw into ourselves, is a symbol of solitude for the imagination; that is to say, it is the germ of a room, or of a house.”  – Gaston Bachelard

Born in New Orleans, Robert Benjamin Stiles (Benji) is an interdisciplinary artist and educator who lives and works in Houston’s historic 1st Ward Arts district.  He holds a B.A. from the University of St. Thomas, with a major in Art History and a minor in Studio Arts. Benji began his career in the visual arts as a fine art printer and first assistant to internationally recognized commercial photographer Terry Vine before transitioning to arts education in 2006.  He has taught at the: Glassell School of Art, High School for Performing and Visual Arts, Pearland High School, and is currently the head of the International Baccalaureate Visual Arts Program at Lamar High School.  In the fall of 2021 Benji was invited to serve on the educators advisory board at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston.   

All shipping is calculated after purchase, and paid separately in accordance with the clients requirements, and customized accommodations.

high texture, abstract oil painting

Born in New Orleans, Robert Benjamin Stiles (Benji) is an interdisciplinary artist and educator who lives and works in Houston’s historic 1st Ward Arts district.  He holds a B.A. from the University of St. Thomas, with a major in Art History and a minor in Studio Arts. Benji began his career in the visual arts as a fine art printer and first assistant to internationally recognized commercial photographer Terry Vine before transitioning to arts education in 2006.  He has taught at the: Glassell School of Art, High School for Performing and Visual Arts, Pearland High School, and is currently the head of the International Baccalaureate Visual Arts Program at Lamar High School.  In the fall of 2021 Benji was invited to serve on the educators advisory board at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston.   

All shipping is calculated after purchase, and paid separately in accordance with the clients requirements, and customized accommodations.

high texture, abstract oil painting

Born in New Orleans, Robert Benjamin Stiles (Benji) is an interdisciplinary artist and educator who lives and works in Houston’s historic 1st Ward Arts district.  He holds a B.A. from the University of St. Thomas, with a major in Art History and a minor in Studio Arts. Benji began his career in the visual arts as a fine art printer and first assistant to internationally recognized commercial photographer Terry Vine before transitioning to arts education in 2006.  He has taught at the: Glassell School of Art, High School for Performing and Visual Arts, Pearland High School, and is currently the head of the International Baccalaureate Visual Arts Program at Lamar High School.  In the fall of 2021 Benji was invited to serve on the educators advisory board at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston.   

All shipping is calculated after purchase, and paid separately in accordance with the clients requirements, and customized accommodations.

high texture, abstract oil painting

Born in New Orleans, Robert Benjamin Stiles (Benji) is an interdisciplinary artist and educator who lives and works in Houston’s historic 1st Ward Arts district.  He holds a B.A. from the University of St. Thomas, with a major in Art History and a minor in Studio Arts. Benji began his career in the visual arts as a fine art printer and first assistant to internationally recognized commercial photographer Terry Vine before transitioning to arts education in 2006.  He has taught at the: Glassell School of Art, High School for Performing and Visual Arts, Pearland High School, and is currently the head of the International Baccalaureate Visual Arts Program at Lamar High School.  In the fall of 2021 Benji was invited to serve on the educators advisory board at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston.   

All shipping is calculated after purchase, and paid separately in accordance with the clients requirements, and customized accommodations.