3rd Version (Ben Patterson) – Artist BiographyBorn in 1982 in Mesa, Arizona, 3rd Version is a Colorado‑based painter who describes his work as “high‑low” art, merging the disciplined techniques of high realism with the playful edge of lowbrow illustration. He often depicts animals with near‑photographic precision set against flat, graphic shapes, creating deliberate visual contradictions that invite viewers to question expectation and context.Patterson turned to art full‑time at 27. What began as illustration‑style characters exploring social issues has evolved into meticulously rendered wildlife that probes environmental and cultural concerns. Each new painting grows out of the tension and harmony of the previous, reflecting his fascination with real‑life contradictions made cohesive.In 2022 he produced 57 paintings, exhibited in more than 16 group shows from Los Angeles to Philadelphia, and completed a large‑scale mural for Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre in Colorado. His work is represented by select galleries across the United States, including Abend Gallery.Artist Statement: US based artist 3rd Version, aka Ben Patterson, is a full-time painter who creates surreal worlds that blend highly detailed imaginative imagery with lowbrow art and illustration. The artist coins his signature style “highlow” art, explaining that his aim is to “blend the lines between high realism and lowbrow art” challenging viewers’ expectations through crafted juxtapositions. Each artwork directly influences the next work, which the artist says plays homage to his unique perspective on life. 3rd Version, is a moniker but also a reminder to keep pushing himself and to continually evolve through knowledge, travel, and exploration.