Dear imaginary Audience

MFA Thesis Show - The Royal Family

2011-07-06T12:36:00.000-07:00

Queen Sylvie

b. 1957-

Meet the Royal family! An ongoing series of portraits of a fictional royal family that I'm creating. These paintings are the final pieces I put into my MFA Thesis show that is currently up at the SVA gallery at 601 West 26th st.

Princesse Francine

b. 1981-

Prince Maxim

b. 1988-

Princesse Josette

b. 1993-

Princesse Francine

b. 1993-2009

Queen Bella III

b. 1929-

Prince Maxim

b. 1929-2005

King Gilbert II

b. 1932-1997

Princesse Emilie

b. 2005-

The Top Divorce Lawyers

2011-02-02T06:57:00.000-08:00

Raoul Felder

I illustrated the "Field Guide to Divorce Lawyers" for the February issue of Town and Country. These are the lawyers to the stars. It was pretty awesome. Creative Director Matt Drace over at Town and Country gave me lots of room to really push the color and character of the portraits. I'm really happy with how they turned out.

Nancy Chemtob

Robert S. Cohen

Laura Wasser

Marnie Tucker

Dennis Wasser

Don Schiller

Sorell Trope

Martin Haines

Tom Sasser

Ike Vanden Eykel

Eleanor Alter

Glennn Lewis

Sandy Ain

CS Magazine - The five most fascinating Chicagoans of 2011

2011-01-14T15:03:00.000-08:00

In keeping with the tradition of editorial year end reviews, I got to work with Greg Gillis over at CS Magazine on a piece for their January issue on the five most fascinating Chicagoans of 2010. And they are Desiree Rogers, Andrew Mason, Jeanne Gang, Grant Achatz, and Stephanie Izard. It was a totally fun piece to work on. I especially enjoyed getting to paint the fabulously fashionable Desiree Rogers.

You can read the article here.

BEN LOVES YOU | An illustrated diary of the things i love

2011-01-02T14:36:00.000-08:00

My new illustrated diary is up!! check it out at benlovesyou.com

Manhattan Magazine - Goodbye 2010

2010-12-12T08:34:00.000-08:00

I was asked by Lauren DeCarlo over at Manhattan Magazine to illustrate a mash-up of 2010's biggest stories for their December issue. Everything from Fashion Week's Lincoln center takeover to the city's bedbug crisis. It was a lot of fun, 2010 was my first full year in NYC and it was great to celebrate that by drawing this and I'm happy to report that my only experience with bedbugs was drawing the little guys.

Runner's World

2010-11-15T10:02:00.001-08:00

Here's some work I did for the December issue of Runner's World. I painted portraits of runners Angie Hoffman, Rebecca Lewis, and Dan Smith for the wear tester profile. It's a section where runners give tips and insight into running and the kind of gear they like. Thanks to AD Marc Kauffman over at Runner's World for the the awesome art direction.

Laughing Matter - Seattle Met

2010-11-01T05:36:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of working with Melissa Robinson from Seattle Met Magazine again. The assignment was to paint portraits of Drew Barth and Nancy Reed for the November issue. It's for an article featuring the two Seattle comedians competing in this year's Seattle International Comedy Competition.

Snooki Tweets Me!

2010-09-29T11:35:00.000-07:00

I had the honor of being tweeted about earlier this week by the beautiful wonderful amazing Snooki from the Jersey Shore. She found the illustration I painted of her and fell in love with it just like America has fallen in love with her. Needless to say since her tweet I have been receiving tons of love from Jersey Shore fans everywhere. I LOVE YOU SNOOKI!

Peggy Olson

2010-09-26T12:23:00.000-07:00

What's with all the fuss over Joan? Peggy is the real fox of the firm. I like a lady who drinks her bourbon neat.

Notable Americans from Washington’s Small Towns - Seattle Met

2010-09-24T05:54:00.000-07:00

I did these spots for the October issue of Seattle Met Magazine where I was able to work with the fantastic Melissa Robinson. They were pretty fun to do. It's for a ten page article on small town getaways in the Pacific Northwest. Sprinkled throughout the feature will be ...10 “Notable Americans from Washington’s Small Towns”. That's where I come in. And the 10 “Notable Americans" are:

1. Montgomery “Scotty” Scott from Star Trek James Doohan—Redmond

2. Former The Price is Right host Bob Barker—Darrington

3. “The Professor” on Gilligan’s Island Russell Johnson—Bainbridge

4. Late comedian and provocateur Sam Kinison—Yakima

5. Right wing commentator and Tea Party mascot Glenn Beck—Mount Vernon

6. Former Bronco’s quarterback John Elway—Port Angele

7. Photorealist Chuck Close—Monroe

8. Star of Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet, and Dune Kyle Maclachlan—Yakima

9. “Jesus” from The Passion of the Christ James Caviezel—Mount Vernon

10. Late rock icon Kurt Cobain—Aberdeen

You can read the article online here: http://bit.ly/9TEZ8J

"Snooki" featured in Toronto Arts Zine 'Broken Pencil'

2010-09-07T14:24:00.000-07:00

My "Snooki" illustration is being featured in Toronto Arts Zine 'Broken Pencil' in a column penned by the wonderful Lindsay Gibb. Read it here-
http://www.brokenpencil.com/news/view.php?id=780

OkCupid MissHap #1 - The PR Rep

2010-09-05T06:57:00.000-07:00

Anyone who's gone on a couple of OkCupid dates has had the wonderful experience of meeting up with someone who bears no resemblance to the lovely photo on their profile page. Good times.

Snooki

2010-08-30T18:03:00.001-07:00

Dear Snooki,
I have a huge crush on you.
Love,
Ben

"Calling all unemployed reporters"

2010-08-12T08:11:00.000-07:00

A new editorial illustration for this week's issue of the Willamette Week. For a story about Portland's Metro paying reporters high wages with public funds to cover their meetings for their website.

Read the entire article here:
http://wweek.com/editorial/3640/14387/

Willamette Week Cover: Oregon's Scariest Cops

2010-07-28T06:38:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of doing this week's cover of the Willamette Week. The headline story "Oregon's Craziest Cops" takes a look at the problems plaguing the Clackamas County Sherfif's Office. Of particular concern being the alarming rate of domestic violence within the department and it's failure to investigate officers being reported. Under the 1997 federal law called the “Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban", anyone convicted of domestic violence cannot own a gun and therefore cannot be a cop. Daryl Garrettson, whose law firm represents law enforcement officers in Oregon and Washington, says the law makes cops reluctant to report other cops and victims reluctant to press charges because the offender faces not only the loss of his job but also the permanent loss of income in that career. It's sad that a law with good intentions ends up with negative outcomes.

You can read the article here:
http://wweek.com/editorial/3638/14334/

Mean Girls

2010-07-18T19:09:00.000-07:00

Oh Lindsay. How I love thee. The hair, the freckles, the penchant for outlandish debauchery followed by a "What? Me? I didn't do it!" attitude. Personally, I feel like her 90 day sentence is a bit extreme. So she drove down the highway wasted on cocaine in somebody else's car chasing after someone. We've all been there! Can't a girl just have some fun?!

I like to draw on the subway

2010-07-03T17:45:00.000-07:00

If I could get paid to do anything it would be to ride the subway and just draw people. It's the most ideal place to draw. It's air-conditioned, the models aren't too far away from you, they're usually very still (sometimes even passed out), the models change every few stops, sometimes there's even a cute girl sitting next to you who will comment on what a great artist you are which you already know but being a polite gentleman you'll respond with a modest "awww gee thanks...", it's fantastic. Anyway here's a smattering of drawings collaged together that i did this week.

Curiosity

2010-06-21T10:06:00.000-07:00

Here's a new illustration. I think it's pretty neat. Hopefully you do too.

Golden Girls Sophia Petrillo in Armor

2010-05-28T08:21:00.000-07:00

Sophia Petrillo in all her shining glory. You're probably wondering, "How do I get my hands on this fine piece of artwork?" Well you're in luck because Mrs. Petrillo is for sale! That's right. Impress your friends at dinner parties with this fine artwork proudly displayed in your dining room showing off your good taste as well as your penchant for obscure pop-culture references. Or have her hanging above your sofa while you and a date sip wine and watch as Sophia helps you get laid with her aphrodisiacal powers. For the modest price of $175 you can have 15" x 20"'s of Golden Girl majesty rendered in fine archival gouache. Note this price does not include framing. Email ben@benvoldman.com for more info.

Playboy Competition

2010-05-20T08:47:00.001-07:00

Playboy magazine is once again having their "College Fiction Contest" and they asked students in SVA's MFA "Illustration as Visual Essay" program to participate in the contest by submitting an accompanying illustration. The winning story this year is "Woman Fire Sea" by M. Mulholland and above is my illustration submission for the contest based on the story. Hopefully it'll be the winning illustration!

Jonah Blinks!

2010-05-12T08:32:00.000-07:00

Secret Book Project (Warning Adult Content)

2010-04-28T20:03:00.001-07:00

Here are pages 9-14 from in an progress story I'm working on called "Redhead Beaver Fever". The story which will come in around 24 pages is mostly complete. Right now I'm working on revising and editing the images and type on the pages. Enjoy.

Sapphic Sisters

2010-04-05T20:29:00.000-07:00

A new racy page from my upcoming book.

R.I.P. Corey Haim

2010-03-22T19:55:00.001-07:00

Goodbye to one of my favorite actors. Above is a painting I did of Corey from his "Lucas" days. Lucas is an amazing film but my favorite Corey film is "Dream A Little Dream". No irony here. Go see it if you haven't. You can see it for free on Netflix watch instantly. Corey in the role of "Dinger" is pure cinematic gold. Some of you may have bought a comic I published last year with the story "Hobo Bob" in it. Anyway the guy working in the video store named "Corey" is my homage to Corey Haim and specifically his character in "Dream a Little Dream". And the bedroom in the book is an exact copy of Laney's bedroom in "Dream a Little Dream" right down to the papasan chair in the corner. Goodbye Corey. You'll be missed.

Secret Book Project.... sshhhhh

2010-03-08T16:53:00.000-08:00

Here are some early pages for a story I'm writing. A true story. A real sordid affair. The pages above are from the beginning of the book where I'm talking about packing up my house and belongings in preparation for my upcoming move from Portland to NYC for grad school. More details to come.....

Sketchbook - The Funkes

2010-01-09T14:31:00.001-08:00

I've recently gotten into "Arrested Development" and oh my goodness is it amazing. Those of you who know me well are aware of the fact that I love to watch TV while I art. A lot of my friends actually watch movies or TV while they work on art but their artwork has nothing to do with TV. It's just background noise to their art making process. Me on the other hand, I actually draw what I see on the TV like a retarded monkey.
Above are two mini sketchbook paintings (6"x12") of Tobias and Maeby. Note Tobias is in his "Swallows Restaurant" uniform.

Buying Lenin and Creepy Stuff

2009-12-29T09:00:00.000-08:00

So my first semester in SVA's MFA Illustration as Visual Essay program has wrapped up. It's been a really amazing experience so far. The faculty has been great, NYC has been inspiring, my fellow studio mates are really really good, and through workshops and critiques my work has become a lot stronger. The program has definitely exceeded my expectations. Here's some work from two of my classes.
In Viktor Koen's book seminar we were given the short story "Buying Lenin" by Miroslav Penkov. I created a graphic novel version of it, illustrating the first arc of the story. This was a challenging project for me since I'm used to illustrating my own stories which are usually riddled with crude humor and there was nothing really funny about this story. It's a good moving story. There's just not a whole lot of funny in it. You can read the first four pages above and the rest here.

Here are some drawings I did for Carol Fabricatore's on location drawing class. The class is on fridays and is a welcome break from illustrating all week long in a studio under fluorescent lights. These were done at an oddities shop I found strolling around in Alphabet City. The shop was creepy central.

Burlesque Boxers

2009-10-30T17:18:00.000-07:00

Some drawings from Carol's on location drawing class. Boxers and burlesque models.

Car Sex

2009-10-27T15:57:00.001-07:00

I just finished this amazing two page color comic called "Shaggin in the Ol' Honda". It's about this one time I talked to my brother about this girl I had car sex with and it was a really funny conversation and in a way more interesting than that actual event discussed.

Let me know what you guys think.

The Botanical Garden

2009-10-24T10:34:00.000-07:00

Drawings of chrysanthemums (is that spelled right?) at the Bronx Botanical Garden.

The Fall

2009-10-19T16:49:00.000-07:00

A portrait of The Fall featuring the amazing Mark E Smith

Seanut...the story that will never be...

2009-09-12T17:05:00.001-07:00

The home where I grew up

2009-09-09T09:33:00.000-07:00

My sister and I, along with the rest of the Hutz family, drove into memory filled Yorktown Hts. this Labor Day to visit the house where we grew up. The Christmas tree we planted in the front lawn as kids is gone now and in it's wake is a corny sled sculpture and an American flag. The whole time we sat parked out front, I wanted to run into the backyard to see if the fort my brother and I built was still there but my sister thought it might be frowned upon by the current owners. The fort we built was awesome:-)

Thylacine Issue 1 now online!!

2009-09-05T11:00:00.001-07:00

Issue one of Thylacine can now be read online in the comics section of benvoldman.com. If you would like to purchase a copy to hold in your very own hands as an objet d'art so years from now when I'm famous you could say you knew me way back when and then produce this signed book as proof to your soon to be very impressed friends, you can mail $5 to:

Benjamin Voldman
Thylacine Issue 1
434 7th Ave
Apt #2
Brooklyn, NY 11215

Be sure to include your address info.

Illustration Show

2009-07-10T22:10:00.000-07:00

The Illustrator show I curated at the Albina Press is up and it looks awesome. Features the work of Sarah Oleksyk, Jason Overby, Stacie Furniss, and myself.

Sarah Oleksyk

Jason Overby

Stacie Furniss

My awesome work

Go check it out. 4637 N Albina Ave, Portland, OR
It'll be up thru July

Sex appeal

2009-07-01T17:29:00.000-07:00

Buy your own copy of "Turn My Swag On" here. This sexy 12" x 18" image is printed on Fuji Silver-Halide paper mounted on gorgeous 3/4" bamboo wood.

Finished artwork for the june plywerk show

2009-05-29T20:46:00.000-07:00

Here's finished artwork for a group show in June. It's an all illustration show at The Albina Press curated by Kjell Van Zoen and Keven Farell of Plywerk fame. I'll post photos of the printed/ "plywerked" piece when the shows opens:-)

3 for the key when i chirp shawty chirp back

2009-05-24T22:22:00.000-07:00

Loaded 44s on the low where the cheese at

2009-05-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

Painting in progress

Off to the printers

2009-04-02T22:04:00.001-07:00

Finally got my book off to Ka-blam (printer) on tuesday after working from noon monday till 7am tuesday morning. phew. Here's the cover wraparound.

my beautiful boy

2008-12-22T22:05:00.000-08:00

Chapter 1

2008-08-24T12:18:00.000-07:00

Here's the cover to Chapter 1 of "Ryan And Ellie". Right now i'm in the midst of editing the first chapter. Then off to the printers! Yay! I'm still deciding whether or not to put a grey tone on top as well. I'll post the first couple pages too once they're done being edited.

Sushi

2008-07-28T17:16:00.000-07:00

Here's a new drawing. My favorite part of making this drawing was when i found out the girl in it, (my girlfriend at the time), was BANGING SOME DUDE IN NEW YORK the whole time i was making it. It was awesome.

Saturday

2008-07-19T22:02:00.000-07:00

Today i'd like to talk about this photo. I've worked my way backward through my book and i am finally inking page one of the first chapter of "Ryan and Ellie".That's New York City i'm inking in the photo. The establishing shot of the book where Ryan is about to find out his "bad news"! So Yay!! Almost done!!

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, the keen observer will notice in the background a still of "Freaky Friday" featuring Jamie Lee Curtis and, on the screen, the LOVELY LINDSAY LOHAN.

Freaky Friday tries to reinvent one of my favorite classic movie plots-- the Youngster/Oldster body switch. In this case daughter/mother.....but it got me thinking about all the classic body switch movies that were especially popular in the 80s and that i love dearly--- "Like Father Like Son" Kirk Cameron/ Dudley Moore, "Dream a Little Dream" Corey Feldman/ Jason Robards, "18 again!" Charlie Schlatter/ George Burns, etc. etc..... and then i remembered my favorite!! "-----"VICE VERSA" Fred Savage/ Judge Fuckin' Reinhold. So good! Rent it.....