••• Blogtronic •••

Perfect Laughter

2012-02-02T09:15:00.000-08:00

I was honored to recently be featured on the excellent art & design blog Perfect Laughter. It is curated by Christina & Dennis Jacobs based in Detroit, MI. They are both noteworthy artists/designers themselves. If you'd like to have a look around, head over to perfectlaughter.com and check it out.

The Perfect Laughter Homepage

Wedding Poster + Invitations

2012-01-25T12:12:00.000-08:00

It was a pleasure to work with the soon to be married Aaron & Betsy on the materials below for their happy union. They made a conscious decision to have all papers and envelopes used in the project made from 100% recycled materials. It enhanced the themes and style of the project on whole other level... making it even more special. Thanks for bringing a great project across my desk Betsy & Aaron!

Wedding Poster + Invitations | 12"x18" poster - 4.75"x7" invite - A7 envelop | Aaron & Betsy

Poster & Invitation (front) Detail

Invitation (back) Detail

Poster + Invitations Detail

Boise Weekly Illustrations

2012-01-19T15:59:00.000-08:00

Here are a few more select illustrations from the Boise Weekly.

2011: My Year in Music

2011-12-29T21:41:00.001-08:00

I received a lot of positive feedback concerning my expanded list last year. So here it is again… My top 10 albums, some honorable mentions, and a new section of recommended music videos. Please enjoy!

:::MY FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2011:::
• St. Vincent - Strange Mercy
Annie Clark took me even deeper into the rabbit's hole with this third record. The swelling of Angelic choirs and soft vocals colliding with crunching guitars and dour lyrics make for a beautiful nightmare of an album. She has created another dark and gorgeous landscape for listeners to explore… not unlike the one presented in her previous album Actor. However, she pushes all the familiar elements further, often ending in a swirling burst of audible anxiety. Seeing St. Vincent shred in the flesh at Portland's Crystal Ballroom made this already top-ten-worthy album rise to the top.

• YOUTH LAGOON - The Year Of Hibernation
One of the most emotionally charged records of the year was created by Boise's own Youth Lagoon. It was pretty easy to let the echoes of nostalgia and recollection of the awkward fill my head when listening to this record. It is a sound that finds strength in minimal arrangements washed together in reverb and pounded electronically. This is often accomplished through a slow build that has an exceptional emotional pay-off by songs end. It also didn't hurt that the music video for Montana was crafted in a way that brought tears to my eyes (which I believe is unprecedented in my experience with music videos). The visuals were created by another Boise creative professional, Tyler T. Williams. YL made this Boise native proud all around!

• tUnE yArDs - WHOKILL
For being a rising star in the rock world this year, I feel Tune Yards has more in common with Hip-Hop, R&B, and Soul. I was taken aback to find that the core of this band was a little Caucasian girl operating in the Bay Area. Her voice has such range and eclectic textures, that I originally thought the vocals consisted of multiple male and female singers. The combination of social, political, and sometimes intimate lyrics make for an intriguing listen. The reality of the bands process became amazingly clear when I caught them live in early 2011. Front woman Merrill Garbus is a true artist and an extraordinary talent. It was a treat to watch her build the songs of WHOKILL layer by layer with loop pedals all while wielding a mighty Ukulele!

• Real Estate - Days
This group of young lads are not bringing anything new to the table with their soft 60's/70's pop rock sound. I attempted to resist the hype for this very reason, but each listen of Days made me want to give it another spin. They work within a recycled template very well. Tracks like Green Aisles, Three Blocks and even the instrumental Kinder Blumen made me melt in my seat. The twinkling melodies created by the lead guitar work is top notch. Though their sound is often described as sunny surf rock, it's fall release date and lyrical content made it my autumn soundtrack this year.

• Toro Y Moi - Underneath The Pine
I enjoyed this album from the first listen in early 2011, but I continued to feel that it was not "top ten material". But its dreamy haze from the Chill-Wave movement interwoven with a more nostalgic sound, reminiscent of 70's Funk, Soul, R&B, and even Disco, proved irresistible. One minute it would shake my booty and the next it would slip me into a daydream inducing zephyr. I also associate it with stunning visuals due to the beautiful album artwork and fun video for the song How I know. I kept revisiting it throughout the year until it planted itself firmly in my "best of" list.

• Bright Eyes - The People's Key
This was another early 2011 release, but unlike Toro y Moi it was immediately deemed "top ten worthy" and nobody could remove it from it's lofty position as the year progressed. It should be said that Bright Eyes is a long-time personal favorite of mine. With their more recent ventures into alt-country, The People's Key felt like a bit of a return to form. It is a strange journey narrated by a kind, burly voice with far-out thoughts and warm ideals. But as Bright Eyes continues to prove, power is found in unparalleled writing, complimented by an unmistakable voice and no-frills arrangements. It is a lyrical journey with lots of twist and turns, ups and downs, but by the time album closer One for You, One for Me comes around, you still have hope in spite of seemingly dark times.

• Grouper - A | A : Alien Observer
This album is so minimal that it can be difficult to describe why it impacted me so greatly. I would best describe it as visiting the edges of deep space, beyond places where our most powerful telescopes can go. It feels as though it exists where the Gods are just beginning to gather materials in creation of new worlds. It is a lullaby to the birth of a new star. It is beautiful in a more fundamental way.

• BOBBY- Bobby
This is an album that kind of came out of nowhere for me. It was not critically acclaimed, a Pitchfork darling, or even boasting a killer single. It was just something I randomly listened to on the All Songs Considered website… and I really enjoyed it. There aren't any standout tracks or songs that blow you away, but each song is the strong quiet type. With song titles like Nap Champ and Groggy you can infer that it is a sleepy record, but in all the right ways. It is a multi layered cake with a folk foundation and male/female vocal icing. The layers in-between consist of everything from ambient noise and droning keys to choral arrangements and electronic beats. I softly and consistently bended to their will.

• Battles - Gloss Drop
Battles are the workhorse of contemporary progressive rock. Each member of the band represents a cog in a machine designed for audio onslaughts. I found myself pushing my way through mountain trails on my bike as their music pulled me forward. I dodged, weaved, and climbed rocks as they maneuvered notes, melodies, and beats in a similar fashion. The vocals of former Battles member Tyondai Braxton was sorely missed, but some of the guest vocalists did a satisfactory job. However, the highlights of this album are found in the instrumental tracks. It is also noteworthy to mention the representational technique in their craftsmanship. When listening to the track Wall Street, for example, it is easy to imagine a mass of people rushing around the stock exchange floor, desperately attempting to reverse a plummeting economy. Or to see a young child curiously wobbling along the grass while the song Toddler fills your mind.

• Panda Bear - Tomboy
This is a hazy, trance-inducing, sun-soaked album. Like Panda Bear's other band, Animal Collective, they like to change things up from album to album. Tomboy still has a signature modern, artsy style, but it manages to feel like a major shift from previous efforts. If Person Pitch was Brooklyn then Tomboy is the warm beaches of Portugal. Heavy repetitions of droning synths, echoing guitars and drawn out vocals make up the mantra that is Tomboy.

:::OTHER ALBUMS I REALLY ENJOYED IN 2011:::
• Death Cab For Cutie - Codes & Keys
DCFC has been one of my "go to" bands for around a decade now. Musically they feel very strong, but I found myself disenchanted with many of the lyrics on this particular album. Regardless, they are still a great band continuing to put out consistently great records.
• Talkdemonic - Ruins
Talk-D is another long-time favorite of mine. Ruins feels like a happy medium between the dreamy ambiance of Beat Romantic and the organic experimentalism of Eyes At Half Mast. Another great effort by the Portland Duo.
• Radiohead - The King Of Limbs
They do their thing and they always do it really well. It is a great extension and exploration of their previous release, In Rainbows.
• King Krule - Self Titled EP & Zoo Kid Single
This 17 year old British kid is on to something. He has an unreal amount of style and swagger for a skinny, freckle-faced Anglo boy. He has a smooth bluesy sound with lyrics that begged to be unpacked by the listener. I can't wait to hear a full length LP in the near future.
• Little Scream - The Golden Record
In a time of one note records divided into an endless amount of sub genres, Little Scream is a nice eclectic listen. I don't know if she is a rock star in her Canadian homeland, but she should be. Great voice, great mix of songs, good album.
• Whirl - Distressor
This is possibly the first Neo 90's album that I have gotten into since, well... the 90's. It isn't anything new, think My Bloody Valentine, My life with the Thrill Kill Cult, The Jesus and Mary Chain, etc… I guess I was just ready for a little wall-of-sound shoegaze again this year?
• Mates Of State - Mountaintops
MOS are yet another long time favorite and I think this may be one of their best albums to date. They seem to be a pretty polarizing band, you either want to jump and shout along with them or you don't.
• Balam Acab - Wander/Wonder
This is the sound of discovering deep sea caves never inhabited by human lifeforms. Dark, mysterious, and beautiful.
• Grouplove - Never Trust A Happy Song
This was a bit of a guilty pleasure for me this year. It took me right back to my collage days. It has big anthemic rock sounds with regular doses of juvenile lyrics and/or subject matters. It is a fun, youthful, carefree album.

:::RECOMMENDED MUSIC VIDEOS:::
YOUTH LAGOON - Montana: Better story telling than 95% of Hollywood was able to create this year.
TV On The Radio - You: Humorous indeed! A little depressing, but mostly laughs abound.
Hooray For Earth - True Loves: An epic tale from the world of science fiction.
St. Vincent - Cruel: Dark humor is the main course at this family dinner.
Toro Y Moi - How I know: A weird, fun, nostalgic exercise in 80's horror.
Fleet Foxes - The Shrine/An Argument: A great animated piece.

TMP 10+1 pt. 3

2011-12-28T16:16:00.000-08:00

Here are a series of pieces I created for the Trey McIntyre Project's 10+1 pt.3 show. I believe all three pieces are still available for purchase at TMP Headquarters located in at 775 Fulton St. in downtown Boise, Idaho. A big thanks to everyone at TMP for transforming your studio into an amazing art gallery. It was a pleasure to have my work alongside so many great artists.

Creatures Within Series (Pt. 1-3) | Mixed Media on Wood | TMP 10+1 pt. 3 Show

Christmas Gift Commissions

2011-12-28T15:53:00.000-08:00

Here are some images of pieces that I was commissioned to create as Christmas gifts this holiday season. First, Gram is a kid who loves to play Thundercats with his trusty side-kick Lumpy the sock monkey. His dad commissioned me to create this piece for his mom for Christmas. Feel the magic, hear the roar... Second, a piece for a family that loves the Bahamas.

Feel the Magic, Hear the Roar... | 11"x14" inches | Mixed Media on Panel | Commission

Swiss Family Robinson | 12"x24" inches | Mixed Media on Wood Panels | Commission

Swiss Family Robinson | Detail

Death Cab For Cutie Poster

2011-12-09T13:11:00.000-08:00

When I started designing concert posters professionally around eight years ago, Death Cab for Cutie was one of the main bands I wanted to create a poster for. Thanks to the Crystal Ballroom, the opportunity finally arrived. The first time I caught them live back around 2001 or so... there was probably less than 15 people in attendance. So, it has been nice to see their fan base greatly increase in recent years, they deserve... no matter what the "cool" kids say. This poster and more can be purchased in my on-line store at www.benwilsonart.com. More details are below.

Death Cab For Cutie | 12"X18" inches | Edition of 150

Signed & Numbered | High Quality Off-Set Print | Desert Storm Stock

$20.00 + Shipping | Available at www.benwilsonart.com

Wedding Poster + Commission Piece

2011-12-06T16:08:00.000-08:00

It was a pleasure to create a poster for Alex & Codie's wedding at the illustrious Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon. When they asked me to work with a Circus/Beetlejuice theme for the design, I new it would be a fun project.

Meanwhile, Codie secretly commissioned me to create a special piece for her groom to be. It was inspired by many of Alex's favorite things from zombies to Washington State and soccer to pale ale. The results of that piece are below the poster design.

Wedding Poster | 12"x18" Inches | Alex & Codie

Codie + Alex = Zombie Love | Approx. 30"x12" Inches | Mixed Media on Wood Panels

Codie + Alex = Zombie Love | Zombie Sasquatch Detail

Codie + Alex = Zombie Love | Angled Detail

Wedding Poster/Invitation

2011-12-06T15:56:00.000-08:00

If you are familiar with my Band of Horses poster from 2007, then you can probably see how the image below is a bit of an homage to that design. Derek and Kristen are big fans of that poster and they asked me to create a wedding design inspired by it, along with the location of their wedding (McMenamins Edgefield), and the Avett Brothers tune Swept Away. It resulted in a meaningful image to commemorate their special union.

Wedding Poster/Invitation | 18"x12" Inches | Derek & Kristin

More BFC Shirt Designs

2011-12-06T15:45:00.001-08:00

It has been great to have a continuing relationship with the delicious Boise Fry Company. It was exciting to see my work during their feature on the Food Network. Here are a few seasonal shirt designs I have done in recent years.

Summer Shirt | Boise Fry Company

Summer Shirt Detail | Boise Fry Company

Winter Shirt | Boise Fry Company

Winter Shirt Detail | Boise Fry Company

Spring Shirt | Boise Fry Company

Spring Shirt Detail | Boise Fry Company

4DSLR Branding + Identity + Website

2011-12-06T15:12:00.000-08:00

It was a pleasure to help 4DSLR in creating an identity and image to launch their company this year. They produce quality products to help DSLR cinematographers great and small. Below are a few of the designs I have created for them. Feel free to check out more at www.4dslr.com.

Logo | 4DSLR

T- Shirt | 4DSLR

Website | Homepage | 4DSLR

Website | Product Details | 4DSLR

St. Vincent Gig Poster

2011-10-18T11:34:00.000-07:00

My first (and possibly only?) concert poster of the year is now available at my website's on-line store. The image and stats are below. It was probably one of the best concerts I've attended in my life thus far... St. Vincent killed it! I'd like to thank Jimi Biron and everyone at McMenamins for an incredible weekend in Portland.

Gig Posters Vol. 2

2011-08-22T16:25:00.000-07:00

I'm honored to be published in the Quirk Books/Random House upcoming release Gig Posters Volume 2! It was created by gigposter.com's own Clay Hayes. It includes 101 perforated and ready-to-hang posters along with hundreds of other poster images and designer biographies. Pre-orders are available here. Look for it in bookstores worldwide this November.

Large Format Paperback Book| 11"x14" | 208 Pages | Quirk Books & Random House

Boise Weekly Cover

2011-08-22T11:08:00.001-07:00

Born by the seaside atop the cliffs of Crescent Beach, we scooped it up, dashed through the Sitkas and never looked back.

Ecola | Mixed Media | 12"x12" | Boise Weekly Cover Art

PangeaSeed Presents: SINK OR SWIM, TOKYO

2011-07-26T10:03:00.000-07:00

Here is a great video highlighting this years benefit show in Tokyo.

Commission

2011-07-25T15:54:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of being commissioned by a family to create a somewhat non-tradional portrait of them. They were a great family to collaborate with. Below are the results.

The Chastaine Family | 12"x23" Inches | Mixed Media on Wood

BAM Community Shoe Day

2011-07-25T15:42:00.000-07:00

The Boise Art Museum was kind enough to invite several artists, including myself, to create shoe art live in the museum for Community Shoe Day. I chose to do some sharpie and pen work on these Converse Chuck Taylors. It was fun to work alongside great artists like Kelly Knopp, Matt Bodett, and Yohei Miyazawa.

Art Deck-O

2011-07-25T15:29:00.000-07:00

Here is the sk8 deck I created for the Art Deck-O art show last month in Boise, ID. It is a mixed media piece titled Beyond The Infinite. Kelly Knopp put the event together to raise money for both the Boys & Girls Club and artists.

Boise Weekly Illustrations

2011-07-25T15:25:00.000-07:00

Sink or Swim

2011-07-05T11:55:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to be participating in another PangeaSeed art show this year titled Sink or Swim. It is a show designed to raise awareness and education about Shark finning and the damage it is bringing to our oceans worldwide. I created the piece below title Voice of Warning for this years event. As you can probably tell, it is a bit of a companion piece to Riding Bicycles Is Fun. It is an honor to be among great participating artists once again like Dave Kinsey, Rhys Cooper, Jim Phillips and many, many more. In addition to the usual exhibition in Tokyo, Japan, I'm excited to see that the show will be making it's American debut this September in San Francisco. There is much more at PageaSeed's website and in the flyer below. Remember... no fin, no future!

Voice of Warning | 12"x18" inches | Mixed Media

Poster Party

2011-07-05T11:38:00.000-07:00

Below is a piece I recently created for a fundraising event for the Boise Bicycle Project. All invited artists were given instructions to create a poster under the simple theme of "bikes". There were plenty of stellar results. Thanks to the amazing support of those in attendance, my poster sold out. The BBP and the Wilson family greatly appreciate it. I believe there are more great posters available on the Poster Party facebook page.

Riding Bicyles is Fun | 12"x18" inches | Poster Party 2011

Paintings

2011-06-07T23:46:00.000-07:00

Here is a random batch of relatively recent paintings. The first is a commission for my sisters 5 year old son who loves garbage trucks. The second is a return to my Treebot series that I created for a demo at BAM during their robot exhibition. Third, is a piece that I actually reworked a bit, which may be the first time I've ever made a second pass at a piece after I called it good?

Hawkins Waste Management | 30"x12" inches | Mixed Media on wood

The Summoner | 14"x11" inches | Mixed Media on wood

My Friend In The Attic | 16"x20" inches | Mixed Media on Paper

3 New TMP 9+1 Pieces

2011-06-07T23:30:00.000-07:00

After participating in the exceptional TMP 9+1 show, I was commissioned to create 3 new pieces in addition to the original 2 pieces I created for the show. It was fun to see the series expand over time. I would like to thank the Trey McIntyre Project and all the wonderful people who commissioned me to create this series.

The American Athlete (woman) | Mixed Media | TMP 9+1 pt.2

The American Athlete (man) | Mixed Media | TMP 9+1 pt.2

The American Athlete (female) | Mixed Media | TMP 9+1 pt.2

More Boise Weekly Illustrations

2011-06-07T23:21:00.000-07:00

Here are some select images from my ever growing Boise Weekly illustration archive.

Medical Illustrations

2011-06-07T22:54:00.001-07:00

I have had the pleasure of working with Upper Cervical Clinics of Idaho for a few years now and I thought I'd share some of the projects I've been doing with them. I've included a business card and some select charts.

Another Pooch Portrait

2011-01-31T14:40:00.000-08:00

I was recently commissioned to create a dog portrait and the results are below. A Boise woman wanted to surprise her boyfriend with a portrait of his long time K9 companion, Killy. It was a "hush hush" operation to be revealed as a surprise birthday present. It is always fun to create a very personalized piece for someone all while trying to keep it on the down-low. The element of surprise was kept in tact and all parties involved seemed very excited with the finished product. As you can probably tell, Killy loves running in the mountains and his favorite stuffed hedgehog is along for the ride.

The Man In The Poodle Suit | Mixed Media on Wood

Motherly Inspiration

2011-01-31T14:33:00.001-08:00

Here are a couple of pieces that were inspired by my mom's childhood. It steamed from me and my wife looking through old photo albums as mom told us the stories behind the images. I was also aided by references photos I took in the old neighborhood where she grew up. They are also an homage to the woman who has given me unconditional love and support since day one. The original paintings sold quite a while ago. However, prints are currently available in the art prints section of my online store at www.benwilsonart.com

Jacks | 20"x12.5" | Mixed Media on Panel

Big Catch | 14"x11" | Mixed Media on Panel

My 10 Favorite Albums Of 2010

2011-01-29T13:14:00.000-08:00

Sure, I'm a bit of a Johnny-come-lately with my top 10 list. That is because I like to see everyone else's lists, so I can hopefully make a few last minute discoveries. The majority of my list is formed throughout the year, but sometimes someone like Forest Swords will sneak in there out of nowhere. This is the first year I've really expounded on my list. Music is probably the biggest influence/inspiration on my highly visual career, so I thought I'd go into a little more depth this time... give it a try at least. I also included a bit of an "honorable mentions" category at the end. Anyway, perhaps this may be insightful for somebody out there in the interweb?

• Baths - Cerulean
It felt like there were a lot of albums that came out with a style and sound similar to Baths. In my opinion, the DIY Dubstep/DJ/Electronica movement had a big year in 2010. However the majority of these artists lacked a voice or meaningful lyrics. In addition to the hard hitting beats, ambient textures, and dream scape samples, Baths had a voice that made his work rise above the crowd. It was definitely one of my favorite albums of 2010.

• Avey Tare - Down There
What can I say? I tend to eat up anything Animal Collective and its members release. Avey Tare's solo effort was no exception. After reading less than stellar reviews, I didn't have big expectations going into this record. Then it grew more interesting, compelling, and above all else, inspiring with each spin. For an album that has been labeled dark, damp, and full of sludge... I find it to be quite sunny and joyful at times. Regardless of how it comes across to the listener, this AC member has made more art for your ears.

• Flying Lotus - Cosmograma
Flying Lotus brought a really interesting combination to the table. His album felt very progressive and experimental while simultaneously being quite nostalgic for me. The beats, arrangements, and collaborations were top notch. Then mix in some Wonder Woman string swells, Skeletor laser guns, and a good old fashioned game of table tennis and I'm hooked. The past, present, and future all exploding out your speakers simultaneously.

• The Morning Benders - Big Echo
This warm, sun soaked, summertime album had me from the first listen. The Morning Benders made a great move by having Chris Taylor help out with the production. It really added to their already stellar sound. It was a GOOD album right off the bat. Then I listened to it while hiking and climbing the cliffs of the Oregon coast and it became a GREAT album for me. The seagulls overhead, a salty breeze licking my cheeks, surfers catching waves... it sealed the deal.

• Sufjan Stevens - The Age Of Adz
The sonic apocalypse arrived via Sufjan Stevens in 2010. It is steeped in arrangements that swell, spit, and yell, all while riding an intergalactic spaceship of spiritual remorse. Sufjan pushed himself in a new direction with this album and I was delighted to hear it.

• Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Upon first listen, I literally thought to myself, "I think I just wasted my money on this album?" The music initially came across quite bland in comparison to the bands previous efforts. Then I cranked it up and started listening to the message. It slowly started to come together for me with each subsequent spin. Being a creative professional that is a product of the suburbs, I connected with this album on multiple levels. I sometimes felt like they were telling my story. They knew people I knew, they hung out in the same parking lot under the same glow of artificial light. I now feel it was a rather wise purchase.

• Laura Gibson & Ethan Rose - Bridge Carols
I always need to have a few chill-out records on hand when the time is right. Bridge Carols is definitely one of those records. It is the sound of morning sunlight leaking through the trees. Seeing them perform Bridge Carols front to back in early 2010, deepened my appreciation for the record. It is a great collaborative effort between Gibson & Rose.

• Menomena - Mines
My wife requested that I play this album a lot, so I think I may have spent more time with Mines than I would have otherwise. I'm glad I did. I always enjoy the eclectic feel that Menomena has as the three members take turns as lead vocalist in individual songs. Though they are still very experimental with this album, it is much more subtle and not as in your face as some of their previous efforts. Even though I missed some of the weirdness found on previous Menomena records, the seemingly stronger lyrics helped make up for it.

• Forest Swords - Dagger Path (Deluxe Edition)
This is one of those albums that is more difficult to explain why I like it or why it stuck out to me from other albums in 2010. Tribal drums, haunting guitars, and Samurai ghosts fill this spacious record. It just took me to a different place.

• Band Of Horses - Infinite Arms
Okay, maybe some of the magic from previous BOH records is gone when listening to Infinite Arms? Maybe the squeaky clean production and pristine harmonies took a little of the edge off? But, in my book, Band Of Horses still made another awesome album. I'll admit, it is the first BOH record where I often skip one track (Compliments). However, the rest of the album makes up for it. It has some great foot stomping anthems, yet it is the quiet corners of an old house and warm nights on the porch that bring real strength to Infinite Arms.

Other Albums I Really Enjoyed In 2010:
• Spoon - Transference
They never let me down. One of my favorite bands of all time.
• Candy Claws - Hidden Lands
A swirling journey through mystical woods as the trees whisper their ancient stories.
• Josh Ritter - So Runs The World Away
Some of the best songs of the year are on this album. Ritter continues to prove why he is one of our greatest living song writers.
• Mount Kimbie - Crooks & Lovers
A great consistent vibe on this record. Nice beats and subtle textures.
• Memoryhouse - (EP,singles,demos)
Just like Beach House only different? I look forward to hearing more from this duo in 2011.
• The Ruby Suns - Fight Softly
World beat music put through some weird 80's synth filter, topped off with smooth vocals.
• Rogue Wave - Permalight
Another consistently good band. Some were put off by the slick pop production on this album, but I thought it was a nice change.
• Owen Pallet - Heartland
A literal symphony of angst and whirling emotion.
• The Black Keys - Brothers
The Black Keys are just plain cool. They can't help it. They just are and they always have been too, even though the main stream is just beginning to take notice.

1,000 More Greetings

2010-12-07T11:01:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to announce that Quayside Publishing’s book 1000 More Greetings by Aesthetic Movement has hit stores and features some of my work. You can find it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, and other fine book sellers etc..

More Winter Shows

2010-12-07T10:45:00.000-08:00

••• The Art Of Musical Maintanence 7 •••
@ The Goodfoot in Portland, OR
Dec 9 - Jan 25
The annual rock poster show is back with the likes of EMEK, Guy Burwell, Jay Ryan, Jim Mazza, John Vogl, Methane studios, Nate Duval, Patent Pending, Todd Slater, Tyler Stout, and a ton more! The Goodfoot is located at 2845 SE Stark Street. On-line sales will begin Dec 12th at www.thegoodfoot.com.

••• Not For Squares •••
@ The Basement Gallery in Boise, ID
Dec 2 – Jan 29
Not for Squares is the Basement Gallery’s Winter exhibition. A baker’s dozen of artists pack a punch in a whammy of a show – a little street, a little pop-surreal, a little eccentric and the downright strange.
Misty Benson, Gary McCauley, Shelley Jund, Emily Wenner and Joseph Cowman debut at the gallery, with second-time exhibitor, Tobias Cresci and regular exhibitors Ben Wilson, Mike Flinn, April VaDeGrift, John Padlo, Keith Farnsworth, Tony Rios, and John Warfel.
The Basement Gallery is located at 928 West Main Street in downtown Boise. On-line sales can be found at www.basementgalleryboise.com a few weeks after opening night.

TMP 9+1 Pt. 2

2010-12-07T10:35:00.000-08:00

For the second time in two years Trey McIntyre Project is collaborating with Idaho artists in an even grander version of the original 9+1 Project. Trey McIntyre Project asked each participating artist to create a “portrait” of the dancers. The exhibit will remain open to the public Monday through Friday from 9-5 through December 23. TMP Headquarters are located at 775 Fulton Street in downtown Boise, ID. On-line sales will begin Dec 3rd at treymcintyre.com. The pieces I did for the show are below.

The American Athlete (girl) | Mixed Media | TMP 9+1 Pt. 2

The American Athlete (boy) | Mixed Media | TMP 9+1 Pt. 2

Boise Weekly Illustrations

2010-11-22T17:53:00.000-08:00

Here are some more select Boise Weekly illustrations that might be pleasing to your eye balls.

New Built To Spill Poster

2010-11-15T13:56:00.001-08:00

There was a bit of a "Boise invasion" at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon this past weekend. Legendary Boise rockers Built to Spill played the Ballroom with other great Boise acts like Le Fleur. The CB topped off the Boise connection by asking me to design the poster for the show. I had a lot of fun with this design and was really inspired by the Boise community that fosters great artist like Built To Spill and Le Fleur. You can see the results below. It is available for purchase at my on-line store. I'd like to thank everybody involved with this great Boise/Portland collaboration!

Monsters In The Cupboard

2010-10-11T10:50:00.000-07:00

The Flying M put together a cool show to benefit the Idaho Foodbank this month called Monsters In The Cupboard. They gave local artists a cupboard door with a charge to create images inspired by the title of the show. Below is the results of my cupboard creation titled Soggy Bread. The cupboards will be up for silent auction through the month of October. There are a lot of amazing artists in this show like Randy Jamison, Erin Ruiz, Cale Cathey, Jerms, Toby Robin, and John Warfel... the list goes on. The Flying M is located in downtown Boise at 500 W. Idaho St.

Soggy Bread | 23"x13" Inches | Mixed Media on Cupboard

Soggy Bread | Detail

The Black Keys Poster

2010-10-07T11:20:00.001-07:00

I had the pleasure of working with The Black Keys management in creating a poster for a stop on their tour this fall. They commissioned several amazing designers/artists to create posters for each stop on the tour. I designed the poster for the Seattle show at The Paramount Theatre. I'd like to thank Fielding and everybody in The Black Keys camp for having me participate. If you dig a heavy neo-blues jam, then I would pick up a copy of The Black Keys new album titled Brothers. The are excellent live as well, if you get the opportunity to see them. The poster is currently available in the on-line store at www.benwilsonart.com.

Freaks & Geeks

2010-09-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

I did a piece for a very noble individual named Andrew Wycherly quite sometime ago and I recently felt a need to post it. Andrew is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to the wide world of sports and I felt a need to address and honor his vast knowledge through the piece below. It is titled Freaks & Geeks of the NBA. It is an ode to the unsung heroes of the NBA that inspired us in nontraditional ways. There are some stats that just aren't quantifiable, however some of us are certainly keeping tabs regardless of their ambiguity...

Freaks & Geeks of the NBA | Mixed Media on Panel

PangeaSeed 2010

2010-08-25T21:09:00.001-07:00

I was pleased to be invited back to participate in PangeaSeed's benefit artshow this year. The event was held in Tokyo, Japan and was appropriately titled Shark Love. I did a special piece for this years event, you can see the results below. It is titled O Toshiyori O Sonchoo Suru or in other words, Respect Your Elders. PangeaSeed is an organization dedicated to protecting sharks and other seaworthy creatures from being eradicated by us greedy humans. They also strive to educate and create awareness about these important issues. You can see pictures from all this years Pangeaseed events here. It looks like they wrangled in a lot of great artists again this year. You can find out more about Pangeaseed over at their website www.pangeaseed.com. Oh, and remember... No Fin, No Future.

O Toshiyori O Sonchoo Suru | Mixed Media on Panel

Framed up and ready for the trip to Japan...

8 New Art Prints Available

2010-08-24T14:21:00.000-07:00

I recently released several new art prints in the on-line store at www.benwilsonart.com. They are limited edition giclée prints of the Hairball series, the Space Odyssey series, Café Jargon, and Smell The Wind (which is shown below). Feel free to check them out and plenty of other prints and posters at the website. I appreciate all the on-line support I receive from those of you around the globe making purchases at the website. It helps out my little family a lot!

Smell The Wind | 9"x 25" | Signed & Numbered | $60 USD

England Here I Come!

2010-08-24T14:16:00.000-07:00

Well, not me personally, but a lot of my original paintings, prints, books, etc.. will be making their way across the pond to the Weekend Gallery in Hastings, England. Below is some initial info. I'll post more info as the opening draws near. www.weekendgallery.co.uk

5 New Izozzi Skins/Shells

2010-08-24T14:05:00.000-07:00

Below are 5 new images you can use to protect your iPhone, iPad, and iTouch. You can purchase all kinds of Izozzi products right now at www.izozzi.com. As you can see below, they are already supporting the iPhone 4. They are also becoming available in several Mac retail locations across the North West. Look for them to be hitting a store near you.

Pacific Nomadic

2010-08-24T13:51:00.000-07:00

A band of young chaps out of Seattle called Pacific Nomadic chose my Squids v.s Whales image for the cover of their debut Mutual EP. It sounds like they will have stickers and t-shirts featuring these creatures of the deep in the near future as well. I believe you can download the EP in it's entirety for free over at their website. It is always an honor to have musicians connect with my work because music is probably the biggest influence and source of inspiration for my work. If you dig acts like The Appleseed Cast, Sunny Day Real Estate, or Jimmy Eat World, then I think you'll enjoy Pacific Nomadic. Check them out at www.pacificnomadic.com

Birthday Cake

2010-07-13T13:20:00.001-07:00

Rumor has it that Modest Mouse front man, Isaac Brock, recently requested a birthday cake with an image of him battling a giant caterpillar with a knife to it's throat. Well, his friend's and band mate's weren't sure if they could pull off such a crazy cake. However, they did think they might be able to commission me to create a painting of said image. Below are the results. It was a blast to work on and from all accounts, the surprise gift was enjoyed by all parties involved.

Birthday Cake | Mixed Media on Panel

ICL Shirt Design & More...

2010-07-13T12:53:00.001-07:00

I was recently asked to design a new t-shirt for the Idaho Conservation League. It was easy to say yes to such an important organization, check them out at www.idahoconservation.org. The design stems from one of their key tag lines, Because You Love Idaho. We attempted to create a fun design that would connect with a younger generation of Idahoans who care about our beautiful environment. Three different color options should be available in the near future.
I also posted images of a couple of pieces I created this past winter for the Flying M's fantastic Valentine's for Aids benefit show. I currently have several new and older works available at the Flying M's downtown Boise location, 500 West Idaho St. www.flyingmcoffee.com.

ICL Shirt Mock-up | Green

ICL Shirt Mock-up | Deep Mustard

Detail of ICL Shirt Graphic

Like A Right Hand & A Left... We Were Meant To Be | Mixed Media on Panel

Like A Left Foot & A Right... We Were Meant To Be | Mixed Media on Panel

New Izozzi :::Fallen Leaf::: Series

2010-06-30T15:52:00.000-07:00

Izozzi has released a new series of skins for the iPhone, iPad, & iTouch. It sounds like they have new products coming down the pipeline all the time, in addition to new retail locations to purchase them at. Feel free to check them out at www.izozzi.com.

Percussion: Drum | iPad Skin

Chorus: Alto | iPhone Skin

Chorus: Bass | iTouch Skin

Chorus: Bass | iPad Skin

2010-05-17T11:37:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to announce that I was recently invited to join the comprehensive design and gallery house Abztract. After seeing the amazing international group of artists involved with this collective, I could not refuse the invitation. The Abztract team includes talented people like HiddenMoves, EyeFormation, JustinK, Arkiv Instant, Papermonster, Veng, and not to mention Art Director and Co-Founder of Abztract, Shia Dahan. These are just a few of the many great artists involved with Abztract. You can check everybody out and learn more at www.abztract.com. The site also has lots of great art prints and original works available for purchase. I'd like to thank Shai and everybody at Abztract for welcoming me to the group.

More BW Illustrations + iTouch Skins

2010-05-13T11:16:00.000-07:00

Here are some more Boise Weekly illustrations for your eyeballs to look at... if you want to. Also, Izozzi just added skins for the iTouch to their line of products. You can order them through www.izozzi.com.

New Art Prints Available + iPad Skins

2010-05-04T14:26:00.001-07:00

I have several new limited edition art prints available in the store at www.benwilsonart.com. The Squids vs. Whales screen print is now available along with several giclee prints like the Monster Love series, School Play, and more!
Also, izozzi now has my ghostly series of skins available for the iPad. I'm glad to see that Bill Carman is now on board at izozzi as well. It sounds like there are more izozzi products coming out in the near future...

Rock'n Roll Wedding

2010-05-04T14:11:00.000-07:00

I was recently approached about a project that involved designing a gigposter for a wedding. The Fergusons wanted to create a unique invitation/thank you for guests of their wedding. It is obviously great memorabilia and keepsake for their family as well. I thought it was a great way to put a fresh spin on the whole wedding invitations/thank yous. We incorporated imagery that is very personalized to their courtship and personalities. are the results:

Ferguson Wedding Poster | Limited Edition Print | 12"x18" Inches

Black Rainbows

2010-05-04T13:53:00.000-07:00

Here are detailed images of the rest of the Black Rainbows series that I mentioned I would post in relation to the Flying Heads post. The flying heads are part of the series as well. The two heads (Seeing Pink & Speedy Delivery) and Pink Lemonade are the only originals still available. Feel free to contact me via www.benwilsonart.com if your interested in them. Prints will be made available in the future as well.

Left Generator | Mixed Media on Panel | 5"x7" inches

Teenagers | Mixed Media on Panel | 8"x10" inches

Spilt | Mixed Media on Panel | 10"x12" inches

Pink Lemonade | Mixed Media on Panel | 11"x14" inches

Special Delivery | Mixed Media on Panel | 8"x10" inches

The Wee One | Mixed Media on Panel | 5"x7" inches

Right Generator | Mixed Media on Panel | 5"x7" inches

Izozzi Skins & Shells

2010-04-19T09:37:00.000-07:00

Izozzi has recently released a series of ArtSkins for the iPhone featuring some of my ghostly artwork. Both Gel skin and HardShell versions are currently available at www.izozzi.com. They also have other great products to come in the near future. They also have several other skins by other great artists like Wesley Eggebrecht available. I'd like to thank everybody at Izozzi for bringing me on board!

Jessica The Friendly Ghost | Gel Skin

Gregg The Beastly Ghost | Gel Skin

Chad The Punctual Ghost | Gel Skin

Emily The Organic Ghost | Gel Skin

Basement Gallery Sidewalk Sign

2010-04-19T09:09:00.000-07:00

I was recently commissioned by the lovely folks at the Basement Gallery to create a sidewalk sign for their fine establishment. I've never really done a sidewalk sign before, so it was exciting to learn a lot of new things in the process. It stands about 4'ft tall and encourages people on the street to take a look at all the fabulous art in the Basement. Speaking of fabulous art, the Gallery currently has an amazing show on exhibit featuring British artists Jane Andrews & James Tisdale along with several local artists like Tarmo Watia, Molly Hill, & John Taye.

Front

Back

The Sidewalk Sign in It's Natural Environment

Commission Piece

2010-03-08T14:40:00.001-08:00

Here is piece I just finished last week. It was commissioned by the Steve Kramer family. The imagery and story behind it is very personalized for their home and family. It is always great to see a piece come together that has specific meaning created through a collaboration of ideas and concepts. It is fun to bring other people's dreams and visions to life and not just my own. The Kramer family was a pleasure to work with.

Sydney The Traveler of Space & Time | Mixed Media on Wood

Flying Heads

2010-03-08T14:30:00.001-08:00

Here are some more sculptures I recently created. They are from one of my larger series titled "Black Rainbows". Look for the entire series to be posted at a later date.

Speedy Delivery & Seeing Pink | Mixed Media on Wood

Speedy Delivery & Seeing Pink | Mixed Media on Wood | Back Side

Seeing Pink

Speedy Delivery

Speedy Delivery | Profile

Recent Sculptures

2010-03-08T14:16:00.000-08:00

Here are some detailed images of some of the sculptural work I debuted at the Basement Gallery in recent months. Timmy & Lucy are still available at the gallery. Feel free to contact me directly if you have any interest in Lady Isabeau or Gary.

Lady Isabeau d'Anjou | Mixed Media on Wood

Lady Isabeau d'Anjou | Mixed Media on Wood | Back Side

Friendly People | Mixed Media on Wood

Friendly People | Mixed Media on Wood | Back Side

Friendly Timmy

Friendly Lucy

Friendly Gary

Sports Show at Gallery 1988 LA

2010-03-01T10:41:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to have been invited to participate in a print show at Gallery 1988 in LA this month. The show is titled "The Greatest Moments In Sports History (A Poster Show)". I am honored to be among such fantastic artists like Tyler Stout, John Vogel, Daniel Danger, & Drew Millward...to name a few. It is a packed roster. I owe my invitation to the great people over at OMG Posters!. G1988 partnered up with OMGP! to create this exciting new show. The show runs from Mar 6 - 26, 2010 and there will be plenty of great limited edition prints for sale.
The image below is the print I created for the show. It was obviously inspired by the legendary oceanic battles between squids and whales. However, this battle has much more sportsmanship involved as they put their Water Polo skills to the test. It is a 3 color screen print on midnight blue linen paper.

Squids vs. Whales | 17.5"X17.5" inch Screen Print | Gallery 1988 LA

Boise Fry Company Shirt + More...

2010-03-01T10:02:00.000-08:00

The great people over at the delicious Boise Fry Company asked me to design a new shirt. The design was heavily influenced by the culture surrounding downtown Boise, where the BFC is located. Rumor has it that they'll soon be offering a discount for patrons who ride their bike to grab a bite.
I also included images of a shirt graphic I designed a while back for The River Company located in Stanley Idaho. It was a fun graphic to create and I realized I never posted it on my website. It is inspired by a specific rock formation that their guided tours stop by for rock/cliff jumping.

BFC Shirt Mock-Up

Detail of BFC Shirt Graphic

The River Company Shirt Mock-Up

Back side of The River Company Shirt

Detail of The River Company Shirt Graphic

Robots At The Boise Art Museum

2010-03-01T09:41:00.000-08:00

I had a great time doing a demo at the Boise Art Museum last Saturday. It was "Family Day" at the museum and I now realize that is probably one of the best days to visit the museum. There were all kinds of activities going on. It was especially exciting to be creating robots among pieces from some of my favorite artists: Jeff Soto, Mars-1, and Eric Feng. I've never scene any of their work in person before and I didn't even know they were in the exhibition! BAM continues to bring amazing work to our little city. But above all else, it was really cool to connect with all the people who came out to experience the exhibit. The kids and other visitors were able to create their own robots right along with me. Robots: Evolution of a Cultural Icon will be on exhibit at the museum until May 16th.

More Noise In The Basement

2010-02-16T19:01:00.001-08:00

Here are a few more photos of the show at the Basement Gallery. If your planning to check it out in person it closes in just over a week on Feb 27th. Thank you to all the supportive folks who have come out already.

A Noise In The Basement 2010

2010-02-04T12:19:00.000-08:00

Here are a few select images from my installation currently on exhibit at the Basement Gallery in Boise, ID. The gallery is now offering on-line sales for those of you in other cities and far-off countries. You can also purchase great works by Erin Ruiz, April VanDeGrift, & John Warfel who are all on display in this show appropriately titled A NOISE IN THE BASEMENT.

Paintings & Sculptures: Part 2

2010-02-01T13:32:00.000-08:00

Here are some various paintings & sculptures from art shows in 2009. Most of them were debuted in either The Basement Gallery or Visual Arts collective in Boise, ID. There are prints of most of the paintings available. Feel free to email me for purchase inquiries.

There's Nothing Wrong With Love | Mixed Media
Side Note: Many people are unaware that there is a secret robotoon on my website that inspired this sculpture. If you roll over the little screw-head looking thing at the top right-hand side of any page, it will spin and then some words will pop out. Then click on it and it will play the toon in a separate window. It is a little "easter egg" that has been on there for years, but is difficult to find. Well, all has been revealed on Blogtronic!!!!!!

Hairball #3 | Mixed Media on Panel

Hairball #1 | Mixed Media on Panel

Hairball #2 | Mixed Media on Panel

Watchers In The Woods | Mixed Media

Café Jargon | Mixed Media on Panel | Currently Available @ The Basement Gallery

Paintings & Sculptures: Part 1

2010-02-01T13:05:00.001-08:00

Here are some various paintings & sculptures from art shows in 2009. Most of them were debuted in either The Basement Gallery or Visual Arts collective in Boise, ID. There are prints of most of these available. Feel free to email me for purchase inquiries.

Percussion: Drum | Mixed Media on Panel

Chorus: Alto | Mixed Media on Panel

Performance: Fallen Leaf | Mixed Media on Panel

Chorus: Bass | Mixed Media on Panel

Percussion: Wooden Flute | Mixed Media on Panel

The Gate Keeper | Mixed Media | Currently Available @ The Basement Gallery

The Key Master | Mixed Media | Currently Available @ The Basement Gallery

Sunshine | Mixed Media on Panel

My Friend In The Attic | Mixed Media Paper | Currently Available @ The Basement Gallery

Richard Wears His New Shirt & Tie To Work | Mixed Media on Panel

No Place Like Home | Mixed Media on Panel

Record Exchange Munny Auction 2009

2010-02-01T12:29:00.001-08:00

Here are some images of the Munny figure I created this winter for the annual Rx fundraiser. Proceeds from the auction went to help out the very deserving Interfaith Sanctuary in downtown Boise.

Boise Weekly Illustrations

2010-01-20T00:48:00.000-08:00

Here are a few relatively recent Boise Weekly illustrations. I simply picked out a few of my favorite spot illustrations, feature illustrations, and any covers that I haven't posted on my website.

Gigposters +

2010-01-20T00:12:00.000-08:00

Here are some relatively recent concert posters, or "gigposters", as many people like to call them these days. You can check out all my gigposters on my gigposters.com page. I've also posted some event posters/advertisements.

The Swell Season | Client: The Record Exchange

Grizzly Bear + The Morning Benders | Client: The Crystal Ballroom

Modest Mouse + Love As Laughter + More | Client: The Crystal Ballroom

The Decemberists + Loch Lomond | Client: The Crystal Ballroom

The Shins + Delta Spirit | Client: The Crystal Ballroom

Fleet Foxes + Blitzen Trapper | Client: The Crystal Ballroom

Trailpalooza Event Poster | Client: Trailpalooza

The Helio Sequence + Shaky Hands | Client: The Crystal Ballroom

Fiddle Fest Event Poster | Client: National Fiddlers' Contest & Festival

Hello Friend Collaborative Works +

2010-01-18T11:13:00.000-08:00

Here is a collaborative series that I did with the amazing Erin Cunningham for our show at Visual Arts Collective this past summer titled "Hello Friend". I also posted some charity pieces and other odds and ends.

Hello Friend #1 | Mixed Media on Carved Panel

Hello Friend #2 | Mixed Media on Carved Panel

Hello Friend #3 | Mixed Media on Carved Panel

Hello Friend #4 | Mixed Media on Carved Panel

Hello Friend #5 | Mixed Media on Carved Panel

The Cloud Maker | Mixed Media on Panel

Your My Best Friend | Mixed Media on Panel | Flying M's Valentine For AIDS

School Play | Mixed Media on Panel | Dogs In School Charity Event

Logos, Branding, Identity, +

2010-01-18T10:53:00.001-08:00

Logo: Boise Rock School

Logo: Peaceful Belly

Product Logo: Peaceful Belly Chicken

Advertisement: Peaceful Belly Tomato Sale

Logo: Upper Cervical Clinics Of Idaho

Logo: Shades Of Red Nail Salon

Cover Design & Illustration: Rx Gift Guide 2007

The Hope Inside Your Sleep

2010-01-14T14:40:00.001-08:00

Here is a book I designed and illustrated for the band Bank. They wanted to create an alternative to the standard CD and that is how this book came to be. It is like a story book or graphic novel that follows the story of the album as you listen to it. It has a little download card in the back to access the music. I think it was a great idea and it was a fun project to do:

Bank: The Hope Inside Your Sleep | Cover Page

Inside Cover & Title Page

Page/Song 1 & 2

Page/Song 3 & 4

Page/Song 5 & 6

Page/Song 7 & 8

Page/Song 9 & 10

Page/Song 11 & Page 12

Credits & Thank Yous

Download Card & Inside Cover

Back Cover

More Obscurities

2010-01-14T10:08:00.000-08:00

Here are some more rare images from the wilson vault:

Logo: DMC Boards | Client: DMC Boards

Rebel With A Cause | Cover Illustration | Client: IQ Idaho Magazine

Anniversary Under The Sea | Mixed Media | Client: The Gorringe Family

She & Him | Website Intro Illustration | Client: Climie + Co

For Starters

2010-01-13T22:28:00.000-08:00

Let's begin with some more obscure work from the wilson archive:

The Big "O" | Mixed Media on Giant Letter "O" | Client: Oliver Russell

Visual Assault | Mixed Media on Panel | Collaboration With Erin Cunningham

Being Swallowed Is Such Sweet Sorrow | Mixed Media on Panel

Dachshund Von WienerHaussen & The Golden Age Of The K-9 | Mixed Media on Panel

Sleeping Lessons (by The Shins) | Mixed Media on Panel | Client: McMenamins

Big Dipper (by Built To Spill) | Mixed Media on Panel | Client: McMenamins

Record Exchange Munny Auction 2008 | Mixed Media on Munny Vinyl Figurine

Why Cats Paint | Mixed Media on Drawer | Piece For Collaborative Chest of Drawers @ "The Vague Collaborative" 2009.

What Will I Post?

2010-01-13T22:02:00.000-08:00

I look forward to using this blog to post more recent work and other various images that may not be available on my website yet. I may even get a little crazy and post some photos every once in a while. However, for the most part, I hope to have this blog be an extension of www.benwilsonart.com. So look out for new paintings, concert posters/gigposters, logos, advertisements, websites, spot illustrations, feature illustrations, apparel, sculptures, and whatever else comes my way.