Ben Watts
For Ben Watts, his artwork is about reflecting and celebrating what he enjoys. “I read comics and watch some cartoons and films,” he explained. “I look at their creation, so I make them in my head.”
Ben is an artist at Slingshot Art Studio, part of the Alpha Resource Center of Santa Barbara. He began visiting the studio while in high school and officially joined the program in 2016. Today, he creates and sells his artwork through the studio and in local art shows.
Acrylic paints and colored pencils are Ben’s preferred tools to create bold, graphic mashups of his favorite characters. He also uses an iPad for digital drawings. Sometimes, he draws inspiration from real life, turning family moments into comic-style scenes where his loved ones appear as superheroes.
Ben also found a job at Carl’s Jr. through Success Education Adult Life Skills (SEALS), a post-high school transition program. He says his favorite part of working there is handing customers their food at the food court. He’s currently on a seasonal break from the job but hopes to return once business picks up.
“I’ve been at Carl’s Jr. for over twelve years,” said Ben. “I clean the parking lot, clean windows, patios.”
Traveling from his home in Carpinteria, Ben likes to ride his bike to work and around town and likes to take the bus to Santa Barbara.
When asked what he’s most proud of, “the money,” Ben said. “I sell a lot of my art.”
