Friday, December 08, 2006 at 2:18 AM | 0 comments  

12-08-06_2112
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

I smell a t-shirt.

Posted by Ben
Sunday, October 22, 2006 at 2:16 AM | 0 comments  

10-22-06_1556
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

Lil guy slammed into our deck glass door. I went out and got him back on his feet. Gave him a pat on his head. He was dazed pretty bad. I say "He", because only men can be pilots.

Posted by Ben
Saturday, October 14, 2006 at 2:04 AM | 0 comments  

10-14-06_1542
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

Hail. In October. Hail.

Posted by Ben
Friday, October 13, 2006 at 2:06 AM | 0 comments  

Wait 5 min.


Posted by Ben
Monday, October 02, 2006 at 2:01 AM | 0 comments  

10-02-06_2125
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

We're eating at a local Chinese buffet type place. Mind you, one I enjoy. And I happen to look between our booth chair and the wall. This photo documents what I saw, and what I pass to you to interpret at your discretion.

Posted by Ben
Friday, September 22, 2006 at 1:58 AM | 0 comments  

09-22-06_1500
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

Holy shit, it's Glenn. I've worked with this cool guy at least 20 different companies over the past 342 years. I'm out of my element at the Ottawa International Animation Festival, and low and behold, I run into the man again. Do you understand the odds? I'm roaming around a foreign country and I run into a guy a know at a bar.

What does this prove?

Bars are the hub of a civilized world.

Posted by Ben
Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at 10:31 PM | 1 comments  
I assume (hope) a few folks may be popping by the site that I met (or they find a discarded business card) at the confrence. So to make things easier here's a few links that ya'll may be interested in;

My illustration portfolio

A link to a HD Flash version of the animation (it's slightly different than the QT versions belows).

Links to Character profiles / design sheets:

Seven ProfileSeven Design

Pinky ProfilePinky Design

Milfana ProfileLeroy Profile

Lez-Lee ProfileLez-Lee Design

Green Face ProfileGreen Face Design

Haji Poo Profile
Posted by Ben
Sunday, September 17, 2006 at 10:43 PM | 0 comments  

Will's Star
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

I had too.

Posted by Ben Labels:
Thursday, September 14, 2006 at 1:54 AM | 0 comments  

09-14-06_1805
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

So I'm out in L.A. for business. My comrades and I are roaming Hollywood, we wander into a gift shop. Joe spots a young starlet pair - no doubt dressed to get attention. They were exploring something near the ground, and who - I ask - who am I to refuse a plumber's crack photo?

Posted by Ben
Wednesday, August 09, 2006 at 11:29 AM | 0 comments  
It's official. I'm off to Ottawa to get this show on the road. I'll be attending the Television Animation Conference while there and hopefully rubbing elbows with other industry pros.
Posted by Ben
It's official. I'm off to Ottawa to get this show on the road. I'll be attending the Television Animation Conference while there and hopefully rubbing elbows with other anmation monkeys. I'd like to get Paint Monkeys, Inc. in production and/or get a new job at least in the industry. I'll keep y'all posted. Maybe.
Posted by Ben
Wednesday, July 12, 2006 at 10:07 AM | 0 comments  

Gaillard_and_Amanda_6.3.06_02
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

New Photos from the June shootout have finally been posted...

Posted by Ben
Monday, July 10, 2006 at 3:48 AM | 0 comments  

Biz Cards design
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

I'm 95% set on the design for business cards. Double sided, full color. Its hard to minimize your career aspirations on a 3.5 x 2 inch piece of paper. I'm not set on the term 'multimedia artist'. I wonder if there's a buzzier word out there for my kind of folk.

Posted by Ben

Fun With Photobooth
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

While these photos weren't technically taken with a camera phone, they were taken with a web-cam. Specifically a built in iSight, which a few steps above the average web-cam. I played with the novelty program on the new Mac Book called Photobooth.

Posted by Ben
Monday, July 03, 2006 at 1:49 AM | 0 comments  

07-03-06_2110
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

4th of July celebrations, and we're in Tim Horton's Brockport. Plump lass is in front of us in line, and behold - we get the gift of ass. I think she's wearin' a thing - otherwise it's a kong sized wedgie.

Posted by Ben
Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 3:57 PM | 0 comments  

Plaster Cans
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

Um...yeah

Posted by Ben

Whos Your Daddy
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

A bud of mine, Tim Fressie asked me to help him out on a fathers day project for his dad. He has this old (from July 1954) photo of his dad, and grandfather. Originally he asked if I could restore it, and clean up his dad / grandpa - possibly even as an illustration. I suggested (or maybe he did?) that we could comp him and his two sons, Riley and Liam into the photo. We match the angles and lighting of the original photo in our bluescreen room, and shot Tim and then the two boys. I cut ou the shots and combined them into one final composition displaying 4 generations of Fressie men.

Posted by Ben Labels:
Wednesday, June 14, 2006 at 4:19 AM | 0 comments  

The Evesdropper
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

Questions I'm asked while sitting at the Mandaly Bay Starbucks working..

1. Are you an artist? (as it's very plain that I'm working on an illustration on my Powerbook.)

2. Do you do this for a living (Whilst my Powerbook, and Wacom tablet are being used as well as a sketchbook and project notes are also on the table.

3. Do you have a business card. (no) I'm and artist, not a business man.

4. Isn't it hard working with all this noise? (No, I enjoy the chaos.)

5. Do you draw animals (only the most brutal and ignorant, people.)

6. I have a cousin that draws pretty good too. (I don't give a fuck).

This is of course a fantasy. No one has bothered me yet, and I'm insulted. In my insane vanity I really crave the attention that I most surreally deserve for being gifted. Sure I've had a few gawkers, but no one has said a word to me, well except, "Do you get a wireless connection here?". (No, and I'm dying to check how many more views my flickr account has received....). I'm sure though that these peeps would ask me any of these questions, if they weren't so humbled by my presence. Of course there is a conference going on for Graphic Designs (which my company is to cheap to pay for their star designer to attend). And everyone knows that graphic designers are insanely jealous of illustrators. Font this biatch!

Posted by Ben

Erica_01_6.3.06_17
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

Erica had an idea for a bubble gum shot. I had to combine elements from a few different photos to get the final product. I'll post the recipe up soon. It turned out to be a pretty cute shot.

Posted by Ben Labels:
Friday, June 09, 2006 at 2:52 PM | 0 comments  
I entered the demo movie into the Ottawa Film Festival. Lets see what happens!
Posted by Ben

Sophie Monk
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

I enjoy a silly none-sense comedy once in a while. It's fun to step away from reality and into a slapstick world. So with that in mind, we enter "Date Movie". In the spirit of "The Naked Gun" legacy - I enjoyed it. It was a guilty pleasure, and I ain't afraid to say it out loud. It's no Golden Globe winner, but that's the point. It's just meant to be fun. no crying, no deep thoughts - just an escape from reality. The main downside to parody based films is that the shelf life will dwindle as people forget about the current event references made. I'm a firm believer that it’s good to see a movie that doesn't take itself seriously. Date Movie takes nothing seriously.

Posted by Ben

Samantha_01_6.3.06_94
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

I've meet some pretty cool folks through Model Mayhem over the past few months. In my ever present need for faces (and bodies too) Model Mayhem (http://www.modelmayhem.com/) has proven very helpful. Well, it's more of a vessel - the models have been the real help. So as I send out feelers trying to lure models into my lowbudget photo shoot world, I came across a lady named Adrienne who happens to be model, as well as a photographer. ( Like Christy, she's talented on either side of the camera lense). She invited me to a 'shoot out' where a bunch of models run around in different outfits and underwear while photographers shoot a ton of photos. Christy and I went to our first one this past Sat, (6/3/06) and it was a blast. I look forward to the next one in July.

So I posted some of the photos (I have more, I just haven't had time to do post production on them all yet) to my flickr site. Click on Samatha's pic to go to the set..

-B

Posted by Ben

London
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

London came by and struck a few poses for the pinup series I'm working on. Most of the shots are for reference, so not much is usable as far as model portfolio stuff. This one though seemed like it wanted to be displayed. I'll add sketches and updates as I work on the piece.

-B

Posted by Ben
Monday, June 05, 2006 at 2:39 AM | 0 comments  

Ben and J-Mac
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

Jason McElwain, other wise known as J-Mac to the rest of the world was at the corporate race I ran (walked...jogged partially) This past week with some other kids from work. I spotted him and just had to wish him luck and get a quick photo. What a nice kid! Thanks Jason! Guest Photography by Larry Conrow.

Posted by Ben

Famke Janssen as Phoenix
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

X-Men 3, The Last stand is one stand too much. I'm a big fan of the comics, and I've been pleased with the movies thus far. This (hopefully) last installment falls pretty short of even the low bar the previous two films set. I know comics have changed since I stopped being able to afford them but, man, I know my X-Men history. Making Juggernaut a mutant for the movie was my last straw. Now I can get geeky, but I'll end my 'barely even realized Juggernaut rant' with this; Making him a mutant was a poor story tool. Keeping him a non mutant meta-human would have made for an interesting plot devise at a certain point in the movie. (see? no spoiler..) Also keeping him a Meta-human would have expanded the possibilities in the 'Hollywood Marvel Universe'. I assume that's just too complex for the popcorn eating sheep, and it all needs to be wrapped up nice and simple. (Can someone explain the ending to me? PLEASE let it not be a tease for another sequel) Plus, simply just too many characters - most of which are made up for the sake of extra 'pawns' as Magento (Ian McKellen) put it.

Ian's portrayal of Magneto was lazy and frankly just going along for the ride. I'm glad Halle Barry showed up she genuinely seemed to be trying to act. Hugh, well is actually good as Wolverine. Lets hope his solo movie isn't too over blown. Get this, Kelsey Grammer plays a hyper intelligent classic literature quoting doctor. It's so good to see that he can stretch his acting boundaries.

The X-Men have more interesting nemesis than just Magneto. The hint of a Sentinel presence led to just more disappointment. Why bother? To get your core audience excited at a comic convention apparently. I really don't look forward to the Wolverine solo movie - or the Magneto solo movie. There's always Ghost Rider to look forward too...

Posted by Ben
Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 2:33 AM | 0 comments  

Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

I read the book about a year ago. All the while I thought it would be make a great movie. It moved fast, had fascinating theories, and pissed people off. What more could you ask? I knew it was going to be turned into a move. It had too. The novel was to me a glorified screenplay. So it was no surprise. It had a destiny. Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon...that was a surprise. I guess I was picturing...I dunno....well, not him. He did fine. He sounded nasaly, like he had a cold throughout production. Langdon (Hanks) is really such a 2D character any decent actor could have pulled it off. I'd say the most 'acting' that Tom had to attempt was being claustrophobic. And that was mostly some spray on sweat and wild eys. The rest of the movie, well frankly was boring. It seemed like they took the book almost verbatim. The DaVinci Code just read more action packed. Don't get me wrong, I liked it. I was just bored. I knew what was going to happen and when. And honestly once the big secret is presented, well...there's no turning back. I did enjoy how Langdon's problem solving was visualized. Ian was good as Teabing. The rest of the cast was forgettable.

Posted by Ben Labels:

Bilqis Crouching 1a
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

Photos from a photo session with Bilqis (aka Bella). She's sending photos and a video to try to get on "America's Next Top Model". I've posted a selection from the best photos. I took about 570 photos all together and shot footage for a video too! Good luck Bella!

Posted by Ben

Christy getting her first tattoo
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

It's a photo of Christy getting her first tattoo. She went with a friend of hers to Physical Graffiti in Rochester.

Posted by Ben

Philip as Capote
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

Philip's erie portrayal of Truman Capote was the only real gravitational pull that this film could muster. I found the character study to be a distraction after a while. I get it, Philip is great. Stop rubbing my face into it. I get it that he's the center of attention at every social gathering. Very clever stories *I guess* since we're dumped into the middle of them just in time to hear Truman's great zingers. I guess thats part of the NYC society allure. If you want to see a great actor, then this is a movie for you. If you want to see a movie about an author's turning point in his career and life - well, that's this movie too. It's a brainy flick, not a popcorn tosser.

Posted by Ben Labels:

Cherry Tree in the spring 06
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

Under the tree, looking up at the tower. Makes for a nice desktop!

We have an ornamental Cherry tree in our front lawn. It blooms for about 2 weeks out of the year. Usually a windy day blows in and cuts the display short, knocking all the pink flowers to the ground and whisking them away.

Posted by Ben
Monday, May 15, 2006 at 12:25 PM | 0 comments  

Blingo for me
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

I finally won. You can too! Use my referer link! It's easy, and free! linky (copy and paste): www.blingo.com/friends?ref=y91umm1neOfMDF_Wtv1MDf4_62g

Posted by Ben

Ben
Originally uploaded by sreddy17.

I was researching a role for "My Other Left Foot"

Posted by Ben

Britney, from behind.
Originally uploaded by jamfan2.

Finally, the angle we all wanted to see.

Posted by Ben Labels:
Clicky;

Posted by Ben
Sunday, April 09, 2006 at 8:22 PM | 0 comments  

Zen Pooh
Originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

This was an illustration I did prior to a job interview at Fisher-Price. I just wanted to show that I could do soft and cute illustration.

Posted by Ben
Monday, March 20, 2006 at 1:29 AM | 0 comments  
I just had a great photo shoot with Serina. We did some portraits and she also posed for some pinup style images. I had her pose as an assassin, and good 'ol Dan brought us some authentic props to use. Christy was there too helping me out with suggestions and general support. I got a lot of really nice photos, but my incompetence with a camera is evident with all the noise I picked up. Someday - SOMEDAY, I'll actually take the time to learn the difference between ISO 400 and, um 1000. So most of the photos have some noise in them. I was pretty pissed at first, but after I calmed down and cleaned a few up they weren't sooo bad. On the bright side I'll get to call Serina back for another session in the near future. Aside from my technical blunders I'm pleased with the photos, Serina certainly made them special. Enjoy...

Clickable thumbnail;



-B
Posted by Ben Labels:
Thursday, March 09, 2006 at 11:33 PM | 0 comments  
It's amazing to me how wide the reactions vary with my last posting. Some are supportive, a small few are anti. People I've known for years seem to have forgotten that I was a Fine Arts artist before I knew them, and most likely will be long after as well. Nothing riles up the fear and distrust more than a naked woman. And to think I dared to call it art. The audacity, the sheer naive judgement to call something I created as art, and to treat it as such. I guess I feel the need to justify myself - but then, the educated, rational side of me screams that I need not do such a thing to anyone ever. But I'll try anyway. Call it the forever diplomat in my psyche. I don't like having people mad at me. Especially people that I care about.

Will I do nude photography again? Most likely not. The storm is not worth the exploration. Does the censorship stop there? I doubt it. I'm at a delicate junction where I'm allowing precedent. The notion that anyone other than myself could possibly influence my vision fills me with utter disgust. Disappointing someone I care about does too.

I normally do very safe art - portraits. Very safe. No one gets hurt. No one sees a boob. Will I get flack for doing pinups? I need models for that - they may not go nude, but they will be suggestive, and strategically posed. Folks who claim they know me, know full well that I have an admiration for classical pinup art. Varga, Petty....peers that have stood face to face to me supposedly admiring along with me. Perhaps they agreed so they could relate to me better.

So how do I get away with Paint Monkeys, Inc.? I guess thats my 'outlet' one could say. a pat on the head for my quiet 'rebel yell'. There is more dark hearted truthful emotion in those, than in anything I do. I cuss in it, draw strippers, suggest disgusting acts.... oh wait, maybe that's the line. I'm a crazy cartoonist. Whacky satirist. Cartoons aren't real people - no real boobs.

-B
Posted by Ben Labels: ,
Because I haven't drawn a cartoon in a while I thought I'd throw you 3 fans out there screen grabs from the HD (that's High Definition (fuck face)) version. Enjoy, or whatever it is you do when your not peeing on yourself...


Clicky;

pretty pictures....
Posted by Ben
I recently had a wonderful opportunity to do a photo shoot with Nycteana! Take a moment to check out some of the premiere images on my flickr site. I plan on using some of the other photos for animation studies, and for a portrait. Thanks Nycteana, you were great to work with!


Clickable thumbnail;

Nycteana_3_5_06--09

-B
Posted by Ben Labels:
Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 5:25 PM | 0 comments  
Some buddies and myself are getting a group together for some paintball action. I decided that I wanted to use my old football helmet, and combine a paintball face mask. I've entertained thoughts of connecting horns to the helmet too, but that may come later. For now, I've got the helmet and mask joined. Next comes the paint job. It'll be a shame to cover up that shiney gold, and all those battle scars.



-B
Posted by Ben
Sunday, February 05, 2006 at 6:30 PM | 0 comments  
Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm a Steelers fan. I'm not an obssesive nut - I don't cut myself when they lose, or have an altar set up to Bill Cower. I don't go out of my way to watch a game on TV, usually there's a God-damn Bills game on, or, God knows why, a Miami, or some other non-Steelers team. I don't - and will never buy NFL ticket ( or any other "TV sports package"). I may consider going to a bar to watch a game - but I'm usually far too lazy to seriously consider it.

I also used to laugh, and ridicule those who entertained thoughts of 'rituals' before/during a game. I used to. When the Steelers first playoff game came around, I decided I'd enjoy myself. I bought some junk food at the local gorcery store; chips, salami, sandwich buns and two 20oz. Bud Light bottles. I ate a sandwich just before the game Drank one beer for the first half. Ate another at halftime, drank the other beer during the second half. Steelers beat the Bengals 31-17. I did the same thing the next week - not because I thought it would be voo-doo at that point. I just enjoyed the gluttony. They beat the all-powerful Colts 21-18. Same thing the next week for the AFC Championship...and they beat the Broncos 34-17.

The Steelers became the first team in NFL history to go from the #6 playoff spot, to the Superbowl. Now I had a connection with my salami sandwich. Now I felt the need to continue the tradition for just one more game. So the following is my Superbowl sandwich and beer, taken just minutes before kickoff...



BTW, the Steelers beat the Seahawks 21-10. I know in a rational, logical world such as ours that my salami sandwich had nothing to do with their victory. These traditions, or rituals bring fans closer to the game, it gives us a connection. If you think I'm a fool, well - then fuck off. Steelers won the Superbowl bitch!

-B
Posted by Ben
Thursday, February 02, 2006 at 4:03 PM | 0 comments  
Every other friday, or so, we like to hit happy hour afterr work. The usual hot spot is Zebbs. I like it there, but more importantly, the beer is cold. Free finger foods during happy hour doesn't hurt either. Truth be told, we'd probably hang out there anyway. Most of the usual suspects were there; myself, Dan, Shannon, Rich, Rebecca. Rich got creative with my camera phone...

Rich enjoyed watching this guy eat...


Rich enjoyed watching me eat...


Later that night, I talked Shannon into doing a beer shotgun. I am not a good teacher. Dan, however, is a good teacher. And like all good boyfriends, showed her the way of the shotgun.


-B
Posted by Ben
Book for sale!
book for sale
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