Artist-Ben Franklin Austrian was born in Reading, Pennsylvania. At the age of five he was given a box of water-color paints and he was immediately impassioned with drawing. Although he was unhealthy most of his youth, he spent much of his time observing barnyard creatures and making sketches of them with a preference to hens and chicks. His talent was indeed recognized by both his family and the community. However his parents did not have much money and were unable to support formal art training. All of his subsequent works were a result of self-teaching.
He was only 27 when his father died and he was obligated to help in maintaining the family's steam-cleaning business. This took him away from his artwork and he became very frustated and unhappy. Then his brother Joseph of New York sent him a book "Pushing to the Front, or Success Under Difficulties." After reading, his motivation was renewed and he convinced his family to sell the business to help support his art career. He became highly recognized in 1903 when one of his paintings was accepted by Bon Ami for use in their advertisement. In that ad his wife Molly was the model, as she was in others to follow. His work was used by this company for many years. He was called the most realistic portrayer of feather life ever known. He went on to much success and had studios in Paris; Palm Beach, Fla; and Mount Penn. But his favorite spot was at his cottage at Clovelly Pinnacle, outside of Kempton, Pa., where he loved to watch the sunsets and where he died and was buried nearby. Some of his better-known works were: Temptations, A Days Hunt, A Golden Harvest, His Majesty the King, Coal Black Lady and Bon Ami's "Hasn't Scratched Yet."
He was only 27 when his father died and he was obligated to help in maintaining the family's steam-cleaning business. This took him away from his artwork and he became very frustated and unhappy. Then his brother Joseph of New York sent him a book "Pushing to the Front, or Success Under Difficulties." After reading, his motivation was renewed and he convinced his family to sell the business to help support his art career. He became highly recognized in 1903 when one of his paintings was accepted by Bon Ami for use in their advertisement. In that ad his wife Molly was the model, as she was in others to follow. His work was used by this company for many years. He was called the most realistic portrayer of feather life ever known. He went on to much success and had studios in Paris; Palm Beach, Fla; and Mount Penn. But his favorite spot was at his cottage at Clovelly Pinnacle, outside of Kempton, Pa., where he loved to watch the sunsets and where he died and was buried nearby. Some of his better-known works were: Temptations, A Days Hunt, A Golden Harvest, His Majesty the King, Coal Black Lady and Bon Ami's "Hasn't Scratched Yet."
Artist-Ben Franklin Austrian was born in Reading, Pennsylvania. At the age of five he was given a box of water-color paints and he was immediately impassioned with drawing. Although he was unhealthy most of his youth, he spent much of his time observing barnyard creatures and making sketches of them with a preference to hens and chicks. His talent was indeed recognized by both his family and the community. However his parents did not have much money and were unable to support formal art training. All of his subsequent works were a result of self-teaching.
He was only 27 when his father died and he was obligated to help in maintaining the family's steam-cleaning business. This took him away from his artwork and he became very frustated and unhappy. Then his brother Joseph of New York sent him a book "Pushing to the Front, or Success Under Difficulties." After reading, his motivation was renewed and he convinced his family to sell the business to help support his art career. He became highly recognized in 1903 when one of his paintings was accepted by Bon Ami for use in their advertisement. In that ad his wife Molly was the model, as she was in others to follow. His work was used by this company for many years. He was called the most realistic portrayer of feather life ever known. He went on to much success and had studios in Paris; Palm Beach, Fla; and Mount Penn. But his favorite spot was at his cottage at Clovelly Pinnacle, outside of Kempton, Pa., where he loved to watch the sunsets and where he died and was buried nearby. Some of his better-known works were: Temptations, A Days Hunt, A Golden Harvest, His Majesty the King, Coal Black Lady and Bon Ami's "Hasn't Scratched Yet."
He was only 27 when his father died and he was obligated to help in maintaining the family's steam-cleaning business. This took him away from his artwork and he became very frustated and unhappy. Then his brother Joseph of New York sent him a book "Pushing to the Front, or Success Under Difficulties." After reading, his motivation was renewed and he convinced his family to sell the business to help support his art career. He became highly recognized in 1903 when one of his paintings was accepted by Bon Ami for use in their advertisement. In that ad his wife Molly was the model, as she was in others to follow. His work was used by this company for many years. He was called the most realistic portrayer of feather life ever known. He went on to much success and had studios in Paris; Palm Beach, Fla; and Mount Penn. But his favorite spot was at his cottage at Clovelly Pinnacle, outside of Kempton, Pa., where he loved to watch the sunsets and where he died and was buried nearby. Some of his better-known works were: Temptations, A Days Hunt, A Golden Harvest, His Majesty the King, Coal Black Lady and Bon Ami's "Hasn't Scratched Yet."
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