However, unlike those photographs that capture history in an instant, Benjamin 56, has painstakingly recreated
the photos of various historic events on slabs of plywood, by both tracing the images from his mind's eye and then burning them onto the wood . He paints these images, and stains them for display.
From the moment you enter his home, there are examples of his work everywhere.
In the kitchen overlooking the dinner table is a clock embedded in the center of a beautiful piece of rich, brown wood.
And along the hallway leading to his room, images of Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, and Tupac Shakur adorn the walls, each showing amazing detail.
Finally, when you reach Davis' room, you see the extent of his work as images from sports victories, to national tragedies, cover almost all of the walls. And then there's one of Davis
himself, in his wheelchair, awaiting the amputation of his legs several years ago.
Now, with the above-the-knees amputation done, he proudly and humbly shows those who wish to see his work.
His work is the main reason you are here, the wheelchair is only secondary.
Before Davis was confined to the wheelchair, he worked for 32 years as a supervisor for a roofing company. But
due to circulatory problems in his legs, which led to the amputation, he had to spend time rehabilitating at Duke University Hospital over a period of three years. To pass
the time, he decided to take up something to occupy his mind and his hands.
"When I was in rehab, they would take pictures out of books and magazines and make copies
of them. They taught us how to trace these images, and then burn them into wood, so I picked up the proccess from up there", says Davis.
Once he returned home, Davis began to take the process even further. "After I trace the image," he explains. "You trace it onto a piece of carbon, then you take this soldering gun and
burn in whatever you trace on the wood."
Davis would then use magic markers to paint the wood, and then stain the wood for its glossy finish. "That's my little secret of my own," he adds.
But no secret at all was the twofold effect his craft was beginning to have on him. "When I picked it back up at home, it was because I would be sitting around here all day with nothing to do," he says.
His wife Bessie, an in-home care giver, would be away at work, and Davis found himself alone much of the time.
"I had to do something to keep my mind occupied," says Davis. "Because when I lost my legs
it was rough on me and I was always used to being on the go."
Longtime friend Larry Reid believes that Davis's hobby really had a profound effect on him.
"He knew, he knew, it helped him because he needed to do something to occupy his time, because he has always been an outgoing person," says Reid.
Not only is Davis an outgoing person, but he is also an avid sports fan. And the majority of the work in his room reflects that. On one wall is the entire roster of the Carolina Panthers
first two seasons. On another, Jeff Gordon stands atop his car after winning one of his many NASCAR races. Alonzo Mourning scowls on another wall, and Larry Johnson is holding Muggsy Bogues aloft near the door.
Then there's the picture of OJ Simpson's relieved face and Johnnie Cochran's triumphant smile, as the "trial of the
century" comes to an end.
And there's the stone face of Timothy McVeigh being led away from court in chains.
"I always try to do something with some history to it," says
Davis. "And everybody says I should sell some of my pieces, but I just wanted someone to see what I do."
At times, Davis may work on one, two, three pieces at
once. But usually he works in phases. "I would say if I had a bunch that I wanted to do, I would trace them all in one day and then burn the grooves in one at a time, the next
day...that's the time consuming part," he says.
He has even given some thought to passing on his craft. "It wouldn't be a problem because I'm home everyday," he says.
Davis would like to start recreating old family photos, but as for now he continues on with his work.
It serves an even greater purpose to him now, since one of his lungs was removed due to cancer.
"It eases my mind, gives me confidence, and keeps the worries off my mind. They gave me six months to a year to live, and I don't even worry about that no more," says Davis.
"I just want somebody to see it, look at it, and it might be worth something and again it might not, its just something I do, a hobby."
"As for now, I'm waiting on that man to come down from the mountains," he says, referring to Eric Rudolph, the fugitive sought for several bombings by federal agents.
"He's been up there a long time, I have his before pictures, but when he gets caught, I'll be ready and waiting for him. I'll be waiting."
