The Many Faces of Ben Fronckowiak

“It all began with a selfie on my Instagram and the rest is history.”

I had the pleasure of interviewing multi-talented Ben Fronckowiak. Artist, street muralist, or film director (depending on the day), Ben has taken yet another career leap, turning to the modeling world to expand his artistic expression. “It all began with a selfie on my Instagram (with over 22K followers), DAS Model Management reached out to me and the rest is history,” Whether he’s covered in paint or striking a sultry pose, Ben is a rising talent in the world of street art as well as pursuing work in front of the camera. Ben describes his creations as “Street Art meets Picasso” with his character abstractions taking on a figurative form of Pop Art that aims to express “a voice of acceptance.”Since completing a mural in May 2018 at the famed Wynwood Walls in Miami, Ben was signed by nation’s fastest growing independent modeling agency, DAS, spawning a transcending career of self-expression within the fashion world. Ben’s flair in front of the camera is forming an artistic canvas of its own.

Continue to always follow your dreams…Thank you, Ben, so much for joining us!

What is your “backstory?

I was born on the California Central Coast. I grew up around my family painting and always admired their talents. I later started painting in community college where my friend and I would paint portraits of her mother. After this I was accepted into the UCLA Film program — while there, I filmed a documentary backstage at a transgender venue. Their stories largely influenced my paintings. Next, I moved to Miami as I was signed with Elite Model Management. I modeled for a season, and moved to New York City next.

While in New York, I regularly modeled and painted. I started painting large murals on the street. This got me exposure, and clients commissioned me to paint their restaurants, do live paintings, etc. I was commissioned to paint on clothes and had one of my jackets featured in L’Officiel Magazine. I continued to model, with DAS Miami and State Management in NYC. I traveled back and forth from New York to Miami on modeling and painting projects, with my last a mural in the heart of Wynwood. I’m always finding ways to combine modeling and painting, so I can work both behind and in front of the camera — utilizing the skills I learned at UCLA.

Is your career path a life long dream?

I’ve adopted a free and open approach to living my life. I try to listen to what life is telling me and go with it. I didn’t dream or plan on studying film at UCLA, but instead I knew that I loved painting, writing, and acting, and film production seemed the perfect fit. Even when I paint, I try to portray what I am experiencing: crises, pivotal life moments, etc. My life long dream is constantly evolving, but I know that it will be in the arts. A current dream is to direct a feature film in the style of my paintings.

Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your career?

That’s a tough one! I have so many interesting and funny stories. I’d say the most interesting is filming a documentary backstage in a transgender/transsexual bar. I hadn’t spent much time in an environment prior, but when I went to UCLA I got bored of casting at casting sessions: we had to sit and wait for the actors to come in and it all seemed too formal. Instead, I took the opportunity to go out and explore LA’s nightlife. I wrote outlandish scripts with characters that were over the top and had strong personalities. I ended up at the Palms Bar on Santa Monica Boulevard, and it just so happened that that particular night was Viva Sex’s Club Illusion — Viva Sex was the number one Madonna Impersonator and was featured on Joan Rivers, Johnny Carson, and toured with Gloria Estefan on her Everlasting Love tour. I needed to cast someone to shoot on Monday, and it was already Saturday. I pleaded to the bartender for her to do it, but she told me there was no way. Instead, she told me to come back when the performance started because she was sure that someone would be happy to act in the short film. I returned shortly — I wasn’t even 21 yet so they had to sneak me in. We got in a fight with the bouncer, but they took me in the back door. I watched the show and I was mesmerized — I saw the most amazing costumes, performances, and people. The performers were so passionate, and afterwards a beautiful dancer, Gia Ryan, talked to me about being in the film. We connected instantly, she agreed, and we filmed. A year later I returned to the bar and filmed a documentary about the performer’s lives.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I get inspiration from so many different places — my inspiration comes mostly from what’s happening in my life. I tend to experience emotions very strongly and intensely — so I link emotions to color or shapes and lines to understand them better and file them away. I paint because if I experience an emotional event, it’s a way for me to make sense of it. A lot of the time relationships are big motivators to paint; however, now, my greatest inspirations are the mystery of life and death and our purpose here on Earth.

What is your greatest accomplishment professionally and personally?

My greatest accomplishment is graduating with honors from UCLA Film School, Magna Cum Laude.

Is there a person that made a profound impact on your life? Can you share a story?

My maternal grandmother, Dotte, is a huge impact. My entire family: my mother, father, and brothers are all extremely important to me. My grandmother is especially important because she inspired me to paint. When I was about 7 years old, I was afraid to sleep in my own room, because I was afraid that someone would break in the house and kill me first (I laugh at this looking back), so I would share a room with my brother. To inspire me to sleep in my own room, my mom and grandma painted my room like a forest, with trees on the walls and they put a tent in the middle with a mattress inside. They transformed my room into a forest so I wouldn’t be so afraid. This helped me see how you can use creativity to transform your life and create new worlds from something. My grandma also has a sharp sense of humor and has a blunt way of telling me exactly what I need to hear. She’s extraordinary — an incredible singer (she sang with a band growing up), a talented painter, a very intuitive person, and a loving person. She’s the glue who holds the family together. I wouldn’t be who I am today without her.

How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world? Are you working on any meaningful or exciting non-profit projects?

When I first started painting it was to continue creating after I was pushing for production of my film. I couldn’t sit around and not create. I had also spent a season modeling in Miami and I was tired of not being able to create or direct my shots and work. So, I returned to California before going to New York to work on a mural — the mural was to bring awareness to trans issues and complete the film. But even more so, my art is a way for me to express myself and be a more whole person — my projects most always end in some type of media exposure and the message in my work is always to bring acceptance and empathy to everyone. I want people to put themselves in other’s shoes and lend a helping hand. Self-improvement starts from within, and it can then be spread outwardly.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?

My family is definitely a major influence as are so many people; however I have a friend, Joey Salazar, a great artist friend who was pivotal in inspiring me to paint. When I was in high school, I would visit her at a cafe; she would walk in with paint covered overalls, red hair, and an infectious laugh. I was so inspired by her — I thought it was so cool that she was living her passion. After talking, she showed me more of her work, and I wanted to keep painting like her. She’s such a gifted person and she gave me my first portfolio to keep me painting. Joey is a major inspiration. Another major experience was when I was in community college — I took a painting class and my friend Nancy and I would paint portraits of her mother Sylvia at the care home. While there, Sylvia would talk about New York City and inspired me to move here. This was the first time I painted portraits and it got me passionate about painting.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.

I’d respond to this question with the 5 things I wish I would have believed when someone first told me. I was always so worried and would always second guess myself — thinking that I had done something wrong or that I needed to fix something. On the one hand, this obsessiveness lent itself to performing well and a drive to succeed; but at the same time, I lived with the constant fear that I wasn’t good enough or that what I was doing was somehow wrong.

People would constantly tell me to 1.) Not worry so much. This is major because as I get older I’m learning to let go and not assume what will happen. This approach has given me so much more ease and helped with more peace and harmony in my paintings.

2.) Walk Tall — My grandma told me this when I told her how I would approach galleries and potential clients. She taught me to go in and believe in myself — there’s nothing that makes someone else better or worse; instead, we all have our strengths and insecurities. There’s no need for anyone to make you feel less than. Walk in and be proud of your strengths and what you have to offer someone.

3.) Be humble — My parents would always remind me of this. No matter how much success you have, it’s always important to remember your roots and give back.

4.) Be persistent — Nobody told me this but it’s something that I need to remember when I start to feel discouraged.

5.) The sky is the limit — This is starting to sink in more as I get older, and I’ve heard this recently. If this is — supposedly — the only life I live, then I want it to be the best damn life possible, and I want to take risks and be proud of my choices.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

If I could start a movement I would want to start something with parents and children. I would want to start a group that directly worked with parents to learn skills of how to encourage their kids to embrace themselves, love who they are, and openly accept their interests and choices. We learn things as children and I know that not everyone is fortunate to have a loving and functional upbringing — for whatever reason. I think it would be great if all kids could have that encouragement from a young age and be inspired to be individuals while at the same time empathetic towards others — whether it be through art, community service, etc. With social media, a narcissistic approach to life is becoming acceptable. When I was younger, I remember my Mom volunteering at the school to help kids with special needs. It helped me see these kids for their strengths, love myself for my strengths, and also develop empathy.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”?

“What you do speaks so loud I can’t hear what you say” –Ralf Waldo Emerson.

You’ll learn so much more about people through their actions versus their words.

Some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this :-)

I’ve been watching more of Oprah Winfrey’s Soul Sessions and I’m inspired by her story, career and journey. I’d love to have a private lunch with her and talk about spirituality, art, etc.

What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?

I think that my company stands out because I have a specific style, aesthetic and characters that I work with and that recur. Also, I work with different mediums, so I’ve painted large- scale murals, works on canvas, apparel, etc. I’ve also been commissioned to do many different styles, so there is adaptability — I can paint portraits, abstract, cubist and pop. I know that this is important in any company — a brand needs to stand out with consistency that people can recognize but also have versatility that can adapt to people’s needs.

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

Persistence! Travel! Traveling has kept me excited. If I’m in the same place for too long then I tend to get bored and need a change. You can still work toward the same goals, but it makes things more exciting if you are doing this in new environments. This way you are always learning and meeting new people.

Are you working on any exciting projects now?

Yes! I just finished 6 new paintings as a resident artist in Pennsylvania. I was sponsored by a resort to live on their property to paint for one month. I had access to the entire lodge, Rainbow Mountain. A film crew came and filmed the process, so a segment should come out soon. I also have a feature shoot coming up for Modern Luxury: Ocean Drive and LA Confidential Magazines for their Art Basel Issue — this will feature me and my work.

How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world? What charities or organizations are nearest to your heart?

I’m paired up with a company called IfOnly. I was put in touch with them via my agency in Miami, DAS Model Management. They offer experiences to people around the USA. A portion of the proceeds will go to a charity, Children Mending Hearts. I’m offering experiences in New York and Miami — private painting sessions, large murals, and paintings.

Do you have a favorite book that made a deep impact on your life? Can you share a story?

When I was learning to read, I read the book “The Land of Far Beyond” by Edith Blyton. It’s a story about life — the trials that we go through and the types of characters whom we meet. The characters are headed toward enlightenment, or the “Land of Far Beyond;” however, they are swayed and detoured by characters who offer different indulgences. The story has an impact on my life because for a kid, it simplifies certain qualities and when moving forward and interacting with people it helps to identify qualities and actions that are positive versus ones that are hurtful.

Here is another anecdote I read recently that resonates:

Once upon a time, there was a Cherokee grandfather (or Navajo grandfather), who told his grandson, “Grandson, there are two wolves inside of me. One wolf is white, good and altruistic, generous and kind, and the other wolf is black, mean and greedy, violent and angry. The two wolves are in a constant fight within me.” The grandson, with wide eyes, says, “But which one will win, grandpa?” And the grandfather says (there is usually a deliberate pause here for effect before delivering the spiritual punchline — wait for it), “The one which I feed.”

As the sky’s the limit, what does the future hold for you?

My goal is to direct feature films. I admire directors like David Lynch, Tim Burton and Guillermo Del Toro. They are able to take their characters and bring them to life as a film. I want to do the same with my art. I’m always looking for new opportunities to bring my art to life as moving image.