Benjamin Knox is in the process of yet another Kyle Field painting that he is sure will be just as popular as the ones before it. The painting comes at a time of growth for both Aggieland and Knox.
“I think this piece is going to be mesmerizing,” Knox says. “I think it’s going to be one of those pieces where people come up to it and can’t look away.”
The painting was originally planned to be done when the newly renovated Kyle Field first opened. While it might be a bit late, Knox says right now is a great time to finish the painting because he wants to mark the new era in Kyle Field.
“We’ve got the new stadium, the new coach, and all the new changes we’re about to have,” says Knox. “I think it’s an exciting thing to kick off the season.”
Knox says this painting is like a bookend to his Kyle Field “Great Moments” collection. In 2013 Knox worked with Texas A&M Sports Properties to create the collection, which depicted specific historical moments that had taken place at Kyle Field.
Knox’s professional art journey to become the well-known Aggie artist he is today began 30 years ago. In 1988, Knox began selling art out of his Corps dorm room as a sophomore at Texas A&M University.
Yet even with 30 years of experience, Knox says he feels like he’s just now getting started.
“I feel like I’m in a pivotal place in my life,” says Knox. “I’m more passionate than ever about my art and growing. … A lot of people think that I just do Texas A&M work, but I’m really working to grow to get into other museums across the United States.”
To achieve this goal, Knox has been working with top artists from around the world. In his studio he has countless studies stacked up, along with plein-air paintings. He is studying landscape and portraiture and gleaning new techniques and practices from his world-renowned mentors.
However, even when looking towards the future outside the scope of College Station, Knox always remembers his Texas A&M foundation and roots and says he is grateful to the people who got him there. “I wouldn’t have been able to afford coming to Texas A&M if it wasn’t for all the scholarships pulling from different entities,” says Knox.
After all that was given to him, Knox says it’s important to him to build his foundation on giving back.
“I was able to fund back all the scholarships I got as endowments,” Knox says.
No matter what changes take place in his artistic style or in Aggieland, Knox says he believes it’s important to use one’s God-given talents as a conduit to help others. “It’s all about trying to make a positive difference in this world, not only in my artwork but in what I do.”
