BEN Benitez - HORSEMEN CO.

Tell us who you are and a bit about yourself.

Hi, my name is Ben and I am owner of Horsemen Co. My wife, Faith, and I run the company from our home in Red Rock, TX, along side our three dogs (Nixon, Charlie and Libby), where we make wood home furnishings and decor. Our focus is sustainability and whimsy.

We know you create awesome wood home decor creations, but what else do you like to do?

I have been playing drums since I was 5yrs old and played professionally for 20yrs. I’m happily retired from the road, and currently living in the woods with my saws and dogs, but do still play for fun. I love to workout, hang out with Faith and listen to hiphop.

Where does your inspiration come from?

Currently I am loving the symbolism and esthetic of water and waves, but inspiration typically catches me when I am on the move (I love to stay busy).

You’re stranded on a desert island - If you could only have one book, movie, and album what would they be?

Book - 1984 by George Orwell

Movie - “Three Amigos” or “Friday,” it is a coin toss, I can’t decide

Album - The Traveling Wilburys, Volume I

If you could spend the day with one artist or craftsman (dead or alive) who would it be?

Pablo, MFing, Picasso

What are your favorite materials and/or tools?

Wood and glue!

What handmade possession do you most cherish?

A small, 4x6inch piece of wood, painted blue with a silhouette cutout of a boy praying, painted with glow in the dark paint. I made it when I was 5yrs old while in vacation bible school and it survived a house fire. It is the only thing I possess from my childhood and it still glows, almost 40ys later. In any place I have ever lived, it has always been the first thing I pack and unpack.

What’s your favorite city and why?

Berlin, Germany. It was my favorite place to visit while on tour and have many fond memories of the city!

Pop, rock or PopRocks?

Pop corn? Kidding. Rock.

If we peeked inside your studio, what would be the first thing we’d notice?

Saw dust and Ms Jackson, my feral barn cat.