Regina Benson and Ray Tomasso’s work is vastly different but they also share being influenced and inspired by natural world.

For Benson, there is beauty in rust’s decay. Using ancient mark-making techniques, she applies that rust to fabrics she then manipulates in a variety of ways. The end result: Large sinuous and undulating hung pieces.

Ray Tomasso also sees beauty in the process of disintegration. But for him that means shredding old blue jeans or the canvases of fellow artists. That cotton is made into fine-art paper he transforms into large-scale, textured works.

While they create their art independently, it is often shown together. Film maker Brian Malone brings us the story behind Benson and Tomasso’s most recent show at the Ice Cube Gallery in Denver’s RiNO district.

Watch the full Arts District episode featuring this local story here! 

Read more about Regina Benson here and check out Ray Tomasso's work here!