One of the foremost American Impressionists of the 21st century, artist Ben Fenske is known for his bold, energetic brushstrokes and signature use of vivid colors. His figurative paintings, still-lifes and interiors are flooded with warm natural light and dazzle in their wealth of blues, greens and soft violets.
Born in 1978, Fenske grew up in the small rural town of St. Joseph, Minnesota. His interest in art began at an early age. When he was 12 years old, Fenske would spend a minimum of two hours each day drawing and painting, working with charcoal, watercolors, acrylics and pastels. His passion for art broadened in high school, leading him to attend the Minnesota River School of Fine Art at age 18. There, he studied under artists including Joseph Paquet and Darren Rousar.
Following a brief stint as a graphic designer, Fenske studied in Minneapolis at the Bougie Studio, learning figure drawing and cast drawing from artist Peter Bougie. Later, when he was in his early 20s, Fenske decided to go to Florence, Italy, to study painting and drawing at the Florence Academy of Art.
While in Florence, Fenske became inspired by French Impressionism of the 19th and 20th centuries as well as Old Masters paintings and Russian and Soviet art — notably the works of brothers Aleksei and Sergei Tkachev.
For more than a decade, Fenske divides his time between Sag Harbor, New York, and Italy’s Tuscan hills, where he draws inspiration for his landscapes from the surrounding countryside. In addition to his paintings, Fenske has a considerable portfolio of portrait drawings and nude sketches. He has also delved into figurative sculpture, such as the bronze Wild Boar, which he created with artist Richard Zinon.
Fenske regularly exhibits throughout the United States, including annually at the Grenning Gallery in the Hamptons. In 2016, he participated in the “BP Portrait Award Exhibition” at the National Portrait Gallery in London. He was also named by American Artist magazine as one of the “Best 25 Living Artists” in 2012.
On 1stDibs, find a range of Ben Fenske paintings, drawings and sculptures.
Female Portrait Sketch #2
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A colorful sketch of a female bust, in the style of contemporary academic realism. Artist Bio Ben Fenske (b. 1978) although a native of Minnesota, a...
Paper, Conté, Crayon
$14,200
"Winter Still Life" oil painting beer, clementines on rustic wooden table, Italy
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Winter Still Life" is an oil painting of drinks and clementines on rustic wooden table, Italy. A box of clementines, a silver espresso maker, a sack...
Canvas, Oil
$30,000
"Golf" oil painting, woman leaning on Fiat car with black dog in Tuscany, Italy
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Golf" is a plein air oil painting of a woman leaning against her Fiat with her dog in Tuscany, Italy. Her dog sits at attention while she is relaxed. Framed in a custom italian go...
Linen, Oil, Canvas
$10,500
"Fishing Hut" contemporary impressionist oil painting boat house, green and blue
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Fishing Hut" contemporary impressionist oil painting boat house in green and blue hues. An oil painting of a small shack in a marina in rich impre...
Linen, Oil
$15,400
"Spring, Wildflowers" Oil painting, Impressionist still life red poppies, framed
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
An oil painting of Tuscan wildflowers (red poppies, chamomile, and daisies), by Contemporary American Impressionist Ben Fenske. The vase of flowers holds the center of the canvas, wi...
Linen, Oil
Abandoned House
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
An impressionistic painting of a recognizably Tuscan in the center of the rolling countryside.
Linen, Oil
Jess Panda, Sketch
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A contemporary oil painting of a woman stepping out of her small car, a Fiat Panda. Painted from life, shadows are purple and atmospheric. She's parked on bright green grass, in rura...
Canvas, Oil
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
"Blue Green Sunset and Snow in Florence" two sided painting Fenske color study
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A panel painting that is painted on both sides—one side an abstract sunset and the other side a snowy cityscape with Florence's famous Duomo in the background. Ben Fenske (b. 1978)...
Oil, Panel
"Self Portrait Sketch" Early conte crayon drawing, head of Ben Fenske, unframed
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
An early work on paper, by American Impressionist painter, Ben Fenske. It's rare to see a drawing like this from Fenske, especially of a self portrait. Fenske uses classical draftin...
Paper, Conté
$2,500
"Sunset Sketch" 2016 small oil painting study for larger composition, in Italy
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Painted en plein-air in Chianti, Italy, a colorful sky cascades above a distant hillside, and the near foliage in the foreground. Ben Fenske (b. 1978) although a native of Minnesot...
Oil, Panel
"Parked Panda" plein air painting of Fenske's Fiat in Tuscan landscape
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Parked Panda" is a plein air oil painting of Fenske's Fiat in Tuscan landscape, where he lives. Frame Dimensions 33 x 41in Ben Fenske (b. 1978) although a native of Minnesota, a...
Canvas, Oil, Linen
$1,500
"Long Beach Study" oil painting on wood panel, color value sketch, yellow, blues
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Painted en plein air in Sag Harbor, NY. A favorite local beach to watch the sunset over Noyac Bay. Painted on wood panel with loose brushstrokes, an impressionist painting that is ne...
Oil, Panel
"Bar Scene" small impressionist oil painting - study
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A small sketch by American Impressionist, Ben Fenske. Painted on site at a local pub, Ben Fenske sketches out an incoherent bar scene. Perhaps the obscurity of forms is a nod to the ...
Oil, Panel
$2,500
"Horse Sketch" impressionistic painting on panel of horse being washed by person
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
An oil on wood panel sketch of a horse, on a sunny day. The horse stands before a bright green field. Wood panel remains exposed as your eye drifts away from the center of the painti...
Oil, Panel
The Derby, Wellington FLA
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A gestural painting of a horse and rider landing from jumping an oxer in a large green field in sunny Florida.
Oil, Panel