Benjamin Richard Hines, III

Benjamin Richard Hines (1959 -), American Artist.

Born an only child on July 18, 1959 in Leroy, New York as Ben Richard Hunter to Julia Mae Hunter and Mr. & Mrs. Clarence Perry with three half brothers and a sister each thirty-five years his senior, Benjamin was reared by foster parents Jesse and Lillie Mae Hines along with a brother and a sister. Upon graduation from Benjamin Franklin Junior and Senior High School, Rochester, New York in 1977, Jesse and Lillie Mae Hines legally adopted Ben Richard; changing his name to Benjamin Richard Hines III.

A well-respected art collector in Atlanta purchased the first work of art that Benjamin sold in 1992. While on his usual Sunday drive after attending church and having brunch with friends, Benjamin happened upon a lovely home in Ansley Park. When Benjamin noticed a Rolls Royce and a vintage Mercedes Benz with artwork leaning against the sides of both cars and a man standing nearby he pulled into the driveway and asked the gentlemen if he were an agent. Well, as one could expect of a gentlemen, he politely replied, “No…I am a collector.” The two spoke for a few minutes and he asked Benjamin if he has had any formal art training. Benjamin said, “No…I am a self-taught artist.” The gentlemen replied, “those are the kind of artists I like” as he informed Benjamin that he would have his agent call him the following week. After he had purchased a folk art piece, Benjamin discovered this man was T. Marshall Hahn, former Chairman of Georgia Pacific Corporation and present Board Member of the High Museum of Art. In the mid to late 1990’s Mr. Hahn announced his commitment to donate the entire Hahn Art Collection to the High Museum of Art. It has been reported that Mr. Hahn has one of the largest art collections in the State of Georgia.

Benjamin primarily works with acrylic paint, oil bars and spray paint on paper mould-made in France from 100% cotton rag fibers. Although comfortable with other mediums, this medium best suits his method and style of painting. His style is abstract, but he also paints folk art, impressionism and surrealism as well. His excellent use of blended colors range from the muted and earthy, to the vibrant and bold. His subjects come from various internal and external stimuli; especially dreams, color, conversations and various types of gatherings.

In addition to the Folk Art piece purchased by Mr. Hahn, Benjamin has work in the famous King & Spalding collection and has sold numerous pieces to several socialites and corporations in Metro Atlanta, Washington, DC and in other major cities on the East Coast. He also has completed several commissioned works of art as well. His pieces range in size from 4”x6” to 60”x60” and even larger. He has also incorporated other mediums such as glass and wood.

Benjamin has had a variety of experiences from foster care and adoption, studying architecture and other disciplines, to being in the Navy, performing in plays at The Metropolitan Opera and New York Opera Theatres, to running for Atlanta City Council and writing a book, but Benjamin’s most fulfilling experience is his passion - painting.