About

Benjamin Gawle is a ceramic artist and author-illustrator living in Salt Lake City, Utah. He also works at University of Utah Health as a registered nurse.  

Born and raised in Michigan, B.J. studied psychology and art at Michigan State University, graduating in 2001. He spent the following year in Syracuse, New York, collaborating with The Institute of a Now Culture (ThINC), creating studios, galleries, and living spaces for local artists. During this year, he began drawing a simple character named Baxter that quickly became an instrument to express his thoughts about positivity and consciousness.

In 2003 he moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, to complete his MFA at the University of Utah. He focused on ceramics and explored vinyl masking techniques to create text and imagery with clay and glaze, as well as kinetic sculpture. The following years were spent working as a potter and adjunct professor at various universities before attending nursing school.

Today, B.J. works as a registered nurse at University of Utah Health and teaches pottery classes at his own studio. He lives with his wife, Jaimie, and their two children, Kaz and Ethan. He continues to draw Baxter, finding new inspiration daily from his relationships and life experiences.