Benford Dwight Stellmacher, Jr. is a multi-faceted creative who began in his early yearsdrawing graffiti, cartoons, and sketching still figures around the house on any piece ofpaper he could find. For over 10 years, Benford’s creative tool of choice has been amouse which he has used to create unique identity solutions through his graphic designbusiness, Authentic DNA Studio, LLC.In December of 2018, Benford picked up paint brushes and began expressing his creativityin a brand-new medium. Primarily using acrylics, his confidence and conviction in hisartwork grew consistently throughout the years, culminating in the establishment of hisnamesake art company, B.D. Stellmacher, Jr., LLC in 2020. His artwork, which spans themesof social justice, music, faith, education, and the Black experience in America, has beenreceived with fervor and praised for its messaging, composition, quality, and uniqueness.Benford refers to each of his artistic creations as “Conversations”, strategically intendingfor each piece to act “as an independent catalyst to an internal dialogue with theviewer.” Nearly every day, he is debuting a new “conversation” through canvas that aimsto inspire, influence, and impact his audience. As a proud man of faith, Ben views hiscanvases as a pulpit, through which the spirit of God has a voice to speak to the hearts ofmankind as they behold the textures, patterns, colors and holistic composition of eachpiece. My body of work is primarily based on a conceptual narrative. As a kingdom creative, Ibelieve that my spiritual obligation is to make manifest the glory of God by expressing hisHeart through a variety of mediums. I was trained in my architectural background that“Form follows function”. This is where the concept of “Conversations” was born. Mygraphic design background enables me to focus on designing the compositional layoutsof each piece. More than anything, I love being able to speak to the meaning andmessage behind the concept. The “Conversations” are intended to create an internaldialogue sparked by emotion or cause a meaningful external interaction betweenviewers. In full transparency, I am freeing myself from the expectation of perfection in theexecution but more focused on the delivery of the concept. That is what means the mostto me. These “Conversations” are usually inspired by ethnic and tribal photography, music,and sometimes simple words that formulate images in my mind.My mission is to INSPIRE the next generation to believe that they have a gift that has thepotential to make a difference in the world. I want to INFLUENCE them to pursue that gifton purpose without hesitation or being influenced by doubt or unbelief. Lastly, I want thenext generation to be fully persuaded that the greatness on the inside of them has the