Meet Benji Decker | Multi-Media Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Benji Decker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Benji, what do you attribute your success to?
My success is as much mine as it is those who’ve built me up. I’ve carried a creative flame since I was young, as many kids do, and those around me fed the fire. One of the most important factors for my success was my creative freedom and those who nourished it. I remember the family and friends who always provided me with more sketchbooks than I was at the time requiring. Access to as many pieces of paper and tape that I wanted so I could tape together a whole creative “scape.” Or letting your small child rummage through your scrap pile in the shop for wood so he can bash as many nails and washers into a plank and call it a sculpture (Thanks Dad). Of course, I would still be creating without these influences, as artists’ know, it’s just in our nature; However, I know I wouldn’t be nearly as successful as I am now without their love.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Let’s I’m so glad the descriptor “multi-media” exists so I can sum up my artistic ventures. I have an insatiable appetite for making things. Most often I’m drawing and doodling. It has always been an outlet, tool, whatever word you’d like to use. Lots of traditional illustration. Lots of digital art for the creative luxuries it provides (Procreate my beloved). I’ve done sculpture with clay, wood, and currently welding a lot using found materials. Lots of photography, a little bit of videography. Also equally as in love with music as I am with art. I just need to be ‘making.’ Being an emotional person as well, I find inspiration in all that I see around me and within my own life events. This only fuels the desires to create and form my ideas into some dimension of reality. That said, It’s truly a blessing and a curse to bear witness to more ideas, than time you’re given to make them real. I know I will be doing this for the rest of my life so there’s certainly comfort in that.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is a tough one for me. I’m a typical homebody who happens to also be that very spontaneous person that just ends up places. I’d definitely take them around to try different restaurants in Columbus; one for each meal of the day if I’m also rich in this hypothetical. Between all our meals, we’d explore different events around the city whether it’s live music, Franklin Park Conservatory, or cute shops around German Village, the Short North, etc. Finding a nice shop to relax and just draw the passersby while chatting with a friend is a slice of heaven for me, so that must be somewhere in this itinerary. Lastly, we’d definitely have to loiter somewhere; this is the way of the Midwest youth.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A family friend, Nancy Carey, is the first to come to mind. From my childhood to my adulthood (albeit a recent entrance), she has always supported me more than I knew how to accept. I’m sure she recognized my creative spirit before I did. She made sure that little kid had what he needed to create his imagination. Even as I’m into my second year of college now, she’s still so excited to see my work and share it with those around her. Thank you for everything Aunt Nancy.

Website: https://benjidecker.com

Instagram: https://benjdex.art

Image Credits
Benji Decker