Ben Turner

Ben Turner (1912–1966), a direct descendant of the legendary, historically-acclaimed British master J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851), stands out as a preeminent, native-born New Mexico painter. His vibrant canvases beautifully capture the seasonal rhythms and historic architecture of the American Southwest. He was one of few known students under the early members of the Taos Society of Artists, including Ernest Blumenschein and Joseph Henry Sharp. His signature Post-Impressionist style relies on a heavily textured impasto, using confident, sculptural brushstrokes to render sun-drenched adobe structures, golden autumn cottonwoods, and lush floral still lifes. Turner rejected preparatory sketching, opting instead to paint directly from nature to preserve a powerful sense of spontaneity.

Ben Turner was born in Gallup, NM the exact year New Mexico achieved statehood (1912). He refined his skills at the University of New Mexico and the Art Institute of Chicago, simultaneously funding his early career by creating the widely syndicated daily comic strip "Jerry ’n’ Jake". Drawn back to the high desert, he established studios in both Taos and Santa Fe.

With his versatile talent, he also served as a World War II staff artist, publishing battle scenes in Look and Life magazines. Today, Turner's highly collectible masterpieces are also held in notable public institutions, including the Library of Congress and the New Mexico Museum of Art.