Raised in the Midwest, Frank Benefield had dreams of becoming a superhero with the alter ego of a professional basketball player. The superhero part of his childhood dream is said to be manifested throughout his award-winning mask series of paintings, though he has routinely and expressly denied using his youthful dreams as inspiration for the series. He is the proud father of four beautiful children who share his enthusiasm for the arts. Frank is enjoying life in North Carolina as a retired Marine, pending his acceptance into graduate school.