The trees, rocks, and color in the painting donated to the auction were inspired by the artist's time in Bridgeport, CA at the Mountain Warfare Training Center in 2014 and painted from memory in 2016.  This watercolor and micron pen painting measures 14 by 9.5 inches.

This up-and-coming artist, Ben Cantwell, grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. After graduating from Berkeley High School, he attended Berkeley City College for two years.  In 2012 he joined the Marines, an experience that influenced much of his art, even after his discharge in 2015.  A recent trip to Vietman and Laos brought a series of brightly travel influenced watercolors into existence.

During high school, college and two deployments, Ben took lessons, practiced, and made commissioned art.  With experience in most mediums of fine art, he is currently experimenting heavily in fine pen, charcoal, and watercolor painting.

For your viewing, we've added several of Ben's other pieces.  Subjects include landscapes, a baby, a portrait of tired Marines and more. Ben is living back in the Bay Area and attending school while working as an artist.  He is currently selling original artwork and taking commissions for custom artwork.

Please check out more of his work and follow him on social media. His art can be found on his Facebook page “Ben Cantwell Art” and on Instagram @bencantwell_art

Ben can be contacted at bencantwell91@gmail.com.