Benjamin Lande is an Atlanta based illustrator. He graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2004 with a focus in illustration. He likes bad horror movies, 80’s action figures, and burritos a lot. He has created artworks for many clients Include: Marvel Comics, Star Wars, Warner Brothers, Orange Amplifiers, Hot Topic, Iron Fist Clothing, Shirts For A Cure, Epitaph Records, Victory Records, Rise Records, Equal Vision Records.
To know more about Lande, check out our interview with him below.
-A bit about yourself/background information?
Hi, I’m Ben. I’ve been a freelance illustrator since 2004. I live in Atlanta, Georgia with my dog, Elvira.
-What’s your average day like?
I don’t really have an average day or regular work schedule. I work much better at night, so I usually run errands and procrastinate during the day until I am ready to work.
-What is it that your work communicates? What are some specific messages you are trying to share with your fellow citizens?
Most of my work has no meaning. Mostly just imagery I enjoy. Zombies, monsters, creatures, animals, skulls, women. Some of my personal work is a little more conceptual and deals with pop culture in decline and real life horror.
-have you been to art school?
I graduated from SCAD in 2004 with a degree in illustration. I have mixed feelings about it. I learned a lot, but with proper discipline, you can teach yourself the same skills and techniques.
-what makes you different from other artists?
I don’t think I take myself as seriously as other artists. A lot of other artists forget about what is important and stop having fun.
-what’s your favourite medium?
Brush inking is my favorite traditional medium, but I do most of my work digitally these days. I used to hate computers, but I now spend most of my day creating artwork on them.
-Any interesting stories or anecdotes while on the job?
I create most of my artwork alone in my studio. I love it, but nothing unusual or interesting ever really happens ha.
-Now a big question “What is art” to/for you?
Anything can be artwork. I appreciate art that is conceptual and meaningful just as much as I appreciate a meaningless zombie illustration.
-How do you keep reinventing your creativity?
I am inspired and motivated to work harder by other artists, movies, music, comics and toys. I am also always trying to improve and evolve my illustration style.
-What do you think of the fine line between art, street-art, design, commercials etc?
There is a fine line, but it often gets blurred. Commercial art and mainstream trends come from street art, punk rock and counter culture, so it’s all one big cycle.
-Is there any kind of conflict between your work as a ‘artist’ and working for major companies?
As long as I can be myself and work in my personal style, I am happy to work with all types of clients.
-How does your creative process differ between working on a personal piece and working on an advertising campaign?
With commission work, I try to balance my client’s needs with my personal style and aesthetic. With personal work, I can be more expressive, experimental and weird.
-Besides working and making artworks, how do you like to spend your free time?
When I am not working on commission and personal artwork, I play guitar, read comics, cook and hang out with my girlfriend and dog. I try to keep busy.
-Is art still fun?
Absolutely. I couldn’t live with out it.
– If there had to be soundtracks to your works/office, what/ who would it be? please name at least 8 songs
My Bloody Valentine – Only Shallow
Misfits – Horror Hotel
Smashing Pumpkins – Cherub Rock
The Smiths – Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now
Teenage Bottlerocket – Mutilate Me
Cold Cave – The Great Pan is Dead
Cocteau Twins – Sugar Hiccup
Converge – Concubine
Deafheaven – Violet
Dinosaur Jr – Freak Scene
Jawbreaker – Accident Prone