Carter began painting in 1991 after he lost his job at Halstead Metal Products due to a layoff . A self-trained artist , he painted mainly in the contemporary style and has been classified as a folk and outsider artist . The subjects of his work included waterfront landscapes , Biblical stories , and farm landscapes . Carter also designed birdhouses , clocks , totems , and metal sculptures . His later work featured paintings of New York City imagery including skylines , taxi cabs , and the Statue of Liberty . He created a collection of work depicting New York City after the September 11 attacks , featuring scenes of the attack and memorials to the victims . Carter 's work was influenced by his Baptist upbringing , including a painting that depicted Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton as Adam and Eve , and a series of portraits depicting Jesus as African-American . He also painted a series of portraits depicting the Statue of Liberty as an African-American woman
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Benny Carter (painter)