BIO:

Brian Bentz is an American born Graphic Commercial Artist, widely known for his exceptionally creative and technical artistic talents. With a passion for hunting, fishing and all things outdoors, he creates artwork that celebrates the pursuit of game and fish – not just as a sport, but as a profound journey of self-discovery and appreciation for the wilderness. It inspires viewers to embrace the challenge, savor the beauty of outdoor pursuits, and cultivate a profound reverence for the delicate balance of ecosystems. Ultimately, Brian’s art encourages a harmonious coexistence with nature, promoting conservation efforts and fostering a legacy of responsible stewardship for future generations.

Born and raised in Muskegon, MI., Brian developed an early fascination with drawing. His father would bring home wide unused rolls of paper from his work, so Brian had ample blank white space to fill with his pencils and crayons. As an incoming senior at high school, with undecided future plans, Brian was selected to attend a 2 week graphic design technical institute program. This short program affected Brian’s career trajectory, as it reaffirmed that his interests and talents met a commercial need. He pursued his college degrees at Northern Michigan University, where he honed his skills in both digital and traditional environments.

Brian’s artwork has been exhibited nationally, from notable art exhibitions at his alma mater NMU, to his imagery gracing product packaging that is stocked on store shelves at your local Wal-Mart. He has garnered numerous awards for his design work, won countless logo contests, and placed in national illustration competitions.

Drawing inspiration from his outdoor pursuits, Brian continues to evolve his craft, pushing boundaries and exploring new avenues in his art and it’s subjects.

EDUCATION:

Duck Creek Elementary
Reeths Puffer H.S.
B.F.A. Northern Michigan University – Illustration
B.F.A. Northern Michigan University – Graphic Communications

Like a lot of everyday Americans, I live for the outdoors. From standing on a boat floating in the Florida sunshine as I cast to some rolling tarpon, to sitting 20 feet up a tree in a northern Michigan hardwood forest, patiently waiting to arrow a whitetail buck as snow drifts down from the eternal gray skies of late fall, I am acutely aware of the connection between me and my place in nature. When I’m not in the outdoors, I am more than likely mentally preparing my next adventure (AKA daydreaming). So naturally, as a young man who found that the visual arts and his drawing talents were very compatible, subject matter was never a struggle. Deer doodles. Fish drawings. Lure designs.

The majority of the work on this site is more example of what I am passionate about. I like to reminiscence about adventures past, or dream of trips to come. To memorialize fish I’ve caught and bucks I’ve harvested. To capture fish I dream of catching onto canvas, or bucks to be seen into print.

Like what you see? What to order a print? Commission a mural? Ask a question? Share fishing stories? Contact me.