Born July 9, 1964, near Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, into a military family, Ab's artistic journey was profoundly shaped by his father's naval service and untimely death when Ab was just seven years old. The image of the American flag draped over his father's coffin at the military funeral became the defining inspiration for his lifelong artistic mission.
Ab's unique nickname originated during his elementary school years in Atlanta, Georgia, when he asked his teacher about abstract art after watching a television program. His classmates began calling him "Abstract," which he later shortened to "Ab" - transforming childhood teasing into a distinctive artistic identity. Despite early recognition of his artistic talents, financial constraints prevented him from pursuing formal art education, leading him to work as a carpenter at age seventeen.
Before establishing himself as a visual artist, Ab pursued music, touring with several bands and recording albums while maintaining his carpentry work. When his musical aspirations didn't materialize, he dedicated himself to mastering woodworking techniques. During this period, he studied symbology, sacred geometry, and hidden history under mentor Randall Carlson, knowledge that would later influence his artistic symbolism.
Ab's breakthrough came serendipitously while recovering from a serious hand injury in 1995 that severed several fingers. During his convalescence, he began creating small American flag sculptures from wood scraps, selling them from his pickup truck in downtown Atlanta. His work caught the attention of 1996 Summer Olympics planning committee members, who commissioned a large flag sculpture for the Olympic village - marking his transition to full-time professional artist.
Ab the Flagman's sculptural works demonstrated masterful craftsmanship in found object art and sustainable artistic practices. His signature three-dimensional American flags were meticulously constructed from reclaimed wood, cast-off materials, and antique pieces. Each sculpture underwent careful assembly, with wood pieces cut, layered, and interwoven to create depth and texture. After gluing and nailing the construction, he applied multiple coats of acrylic paint to achieve rich, vibrant colors, finishing with clear protective coatings suitable for display.
While American flags remained his most recognizable works, Ab's artistic repertoire included diverse patriotic and American cultural themes: majestic eagles, presidential portraits, New York cityscapes (particularly post-9/11 commemorative pieces), Native American subjects reflecting his heritage, blues musicians, wildlife scenes, and nautical imagery featuring boats and rivers. His smaller works often featured American icons and symbols that resonated with collectors nationwide.
Ab the Flagman's work achieved remarkable recognition in the contemporary folk art world, with exhibitions alongside renowned artists including Peter Max, Andy Warhol, and Robert Rauschenberg. His sculptures are held in prestigious permanent collections including Microsoft Corporation, Atlanta's High Museum of Art, the Mennello Museum of American Art in Orlando, multiple House of Blues venues, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Orlando Chamber of Commerce, Orlando City Hall, and numerous private collections.
Throughout his career, Ab maintained a complex relationship with patriotic symbolism, recognizing both the unifying power and potentially divisive nature of national symbols. His work balanced celebration of American ideals with thoughtful artistic interpretation. As an environmentally conscious artist, he championed sustainable art practices through his exclusive use of reclaimed materials and found objects, making his work particularly relevant to contemporary collectors interested in eco-friendly art.
Ab the Flagman's ambitious artistic vision extended beyond earthly boundaries, famously stating: "If there's an art show on Mars, I want to be in it. I may not be around, but there will be an art show on Mars one day."
His final artwork, a sculpture depicting hands playing guitar, was donated to the 2022 Folk Art Society of America auction, demonstrating his lifelong commitment to the artistic community. Roger Lee Ivens passed away unexpectedly in November 2022 at his residence in Gibsonville, North Carolina, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of American folk art that continues to inspire collectors, museums, and fellow artists.
His unique vision transformed discarded materials into powerful symbols of American identity, establishing him as a significant figure in contemporary folk art.