Artist Bio:

I was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Tech Memorial High School in 1973. While at Tech, I was fortunate to study under two influential art teachers and mentors, Vitus Kaiser and Roy Alhgren. I later earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design from the Columbus College of Art & Design in 1977.

Following graduation, I worked with advertising agencies and design firms, building a career centered on commercial design projects including advertising campaigns, logo and brand development, packaging, and sales promotion. One of the highlights of my career was serving as a designer at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, Missouri, where I created national in-store seasonal campaigns, including work for the Hallmark Hall of Fame series.

In 1995,  Lechner & Benson Advertising Design was formed with my business partner Bill Lechner. Our work spans advertising, graphic design for print and web, and creative development from concept through production for clients in the consumer, retail, manufacturing, tourism, nonprofit, and service industries.

In 2017, I opened an art studio at St. Marys: A Place to Create on East 10th Street in Erie. My artwork explores a variety of mediums including drawing, watercolor, oil, acrylic, collage, and printmaking, ranging in style from abstract contemporary to traditional.