Ben Tolman

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2012-01-31T08:54:00.000-08:00

tattoo practice on a grapefruit

013012

2012-01-30T14:23:00.000-08:00

this is a drawing i made in 2005 at the Corcoran in a secret spot. It was still there as of last year, don't know now.

012912

2012-01-29T20:25:00.002-08:00

012812

2012-01-28T20:25:00.000-08:00

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2012-01-27T20:28:00.000-08:00

waiting for food...

(me in lower left. giant face = collaboration with Jenny Sawle)

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2012-01-26T16:52:00.001-08:00

progress....

012512

2012-01-26T13:29:00.001-08:00

sketchbook page from last year.

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2012-01-26T13:26:00.001-08:00

Painting of the adorable Jana Svrzo from about 6 years ago.

012312

2012-01-23T18:49:00.001-08:00

and in the cabinet at the same job.

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2012-01-22T21:14:00.001-08:00

a drawing i made under my desk at a crappy job i had a few years ago.

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2012-01-21T14:43:00.000-08:00

today's work in the studio.

012012

2012-01-20T14:35:00.001-08:00

another really old sticker drawing.

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2012-01-19T11:49:00.001-08:00

remains of a priority mail sticker drawing after about 7 or 8 years.

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2012-01-18T11:47:00.000-08:00

another random little drawing from last year.

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2012-01-17T11:45:00.000-08:00

a little drawing from last year.

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2012-01-16T19:56:00.001-08:00

some of what i drew today.

011512

2012-01-15T08:10:00.000-08:00

Mural in progress from last year at Bellflur's warehouse. They are an amazing band, listen here.

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2012-01-14T17:58:00.001-08:00

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2012-01-13T09:09:00.000-08:00

two hour collaboration with Jenny Sawle (http://artconstellation.blogspot.com) made last night.

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2012-01-12T10:47:00.001-08:00

small drawing on wood from last year.

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2012-01-11T10:44:00.000-08:00

doodle on a coffee holder from a couple years ago.

011012

2012-01-10T13:52:00.000-08:00

this was my response in 2nd grade to the question "what is your favorite color".

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2012-01-09T11:23:00.001-08:00

another work in progress at the moment

010812

2012-01-08T10:46:00.000-08:00

the drawing i'm currently working on. 50 inches wide.

010712

2012-01-07T07:05:00.000-08:00

a couple things i made a few years ago.

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2012-01-06T10:56:00.001-08:00

a doodle on my wall last year.

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2012-01-05T15:26:00.001-08:00

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2012-01-04T15:25:00.000-08:00

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2012-01-03T15:24:00.000-08:00

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2012-01-02T15:23:00.000-08:00

I haven't been up keeping my blog so this year I'm going to try and add one new drawing a day.

010112

2012-01-01T15:15:00.000-08:00

First attempt at making hot sauce!

Solo Show: a few more drawings...

2011-08-26T07:47:00.000-07:00

Ben Tolman
a few more drawings...

Solo show opening at The Fridge

w/ Special Guest: Bellflur
http://www.facebook.com/bellflur

The Fridge
516 8th Street, SE
REAR ALLEY
Washington, DC 20003

9.10.11 7pm-11pm

Self Portrait Video

2011-08-26T07:46:00.000-07:00

New Drawings

2011-08-18T09:48:00.000-07:00

This is a sneak peak of some of the new work that will be at my solo show, opening at the Fridge in DC Sept. 10th. Details to come.

View full size: http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/229/9/f/untitled_by_bentolman-d46y5ox.jpg

View full size:http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/229/b/b/untitled_by_bentolman-d46ydxy.jpg

View full size:http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/228/c/6/untitled_by_bentolman-d46ugwp.jpg

2 Group shows opening April 2nd in DC

2011-03-27T12:28:00.000-07:00

SKETCH April 2, May 7 2011

OPENING DAY: April 2; 1-7pm
DRAW-INS: April 23 & 30; 2-6pm
ARTIST TALKS: April 2; 2-3pm and April 7 & 28; 5-6pm

Transformer is proud to present Sketch, an exhibition investigating how artists develop their work. Sketch features sketchbooks created by 16 DC based artists working in a variety of different mediums. As part of Sketch, Transformer will host a series of artist talks, and "draw-ins" led by artist Reuben Breslar. Sketch audiences are also invited to create their own sketches directly on Transformer's walls to be displayed side by side with the innovative sketchbooks of DC's emerging artists.

In tandem with Sketch, Transformer is pleased to co-present the DC stop of Brooklyn based Art House Co-op's nationally touring The Sketchbook Project, taking place at Hillyer Art Space April 15 & 16.

http://www.transformergallery.org/exhibitions/exhibitions.html

American University MFA First-Year Exhibition Opening

Time	Saturday, April 2 · 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Location	American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC

More Info	Come and view a variety of artwork ranging for 2-D, 3-D, Multimedia, and Installation created by the 8 first-year MFA candidates: Temme Barkin-Leeds Michele Colburn Joo Yeon Ha Adam Hager Tyler Mullan Camden Place Sam Scharf Ben Tolman Light refreshments will be served. The show runs from April 2nd through the 11th if you cannot attend the opening; Museum hours are 11 am to 4 pm, Tuesday-Sunday. Underground paid parking is available, free on weekends.

More Info

Come and view a variety of artwork ranging for 2-D, 3-D, Multimedia, and Installation created by the 8 first-year MFA candidates:

Temme Barkin-Leeds
Michele Colburn
Joo Yeon Ha
Adam Hager
Tyler Mullan
Camden Place
Sam Scharf
Ben Tolman

Light refreshments will be served.

The show runs from April 2nd through the 11th if you cannot attend the opening; Museum hours are 11 am to 4 pm, Tuesday-Sunday.

Underground paid parking is available, free on weekends.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=206863132663942

Self Portrait 2010-2011

2011-02-25T18:04:00.000-08:00

beinArt Collective Group exhibition ‘Dystopia

2011-02-01T20:23:00.000-08:00

beinArt Collective Group exhibition ‘Dystopia’
March 19th – April 9th 2011 at Copro Gallery (Santa Monica, C.A.)
Curated by Jon Beinart
Chaos and ruin. Technological trends corrupting. Deformation, anatomical abnormalities, degradation and displacement. Whether related to the human body and spirit or the human environment, it is the ‘anti’ utopia.
The theme of this show, ‘Dystopia’, will place the viewer in a fictional world where personal and societal fears can be explored. Whether figuratively or more literally, the participating artists will present their own interpretation of ‘Dystopia’.
Presenting the works of over 50 international artists including: Kris Kuksi, Chris Mars, Paul Booth, Chet Zar, Viktor Safonkin, Laurie Lipton, David Bowers, Dariusz Zawadzki, Peter Gric, Matthew Bone,Jean Labourdette Turf One, Paul Rumsey, William Hand, Heather Nevay, Ray Donley,Christian Van Minnen, Dan Quintana, Ben Tolman, Karl Persson, Beau White, Macsorro, Matt Martin, Sandra Yagi, Carrie Ann Baade, Stephanie Henderson, Heidi Taillefer, David Choquette, Scott G Brooks, Naoto Hattori, Michael Ryan, Leslie Ditto,Larkin, Chrystal Chan, Jeff Christensen, Cam De Leon, Christopher Ulrich, Matt Dangler, Brian Viveros, Chris Peters, Yu Sugawara, Santiago Caruso, Rachel Bess,Mark Powell, Brian Smith, Ivan Titor, Jason John, Jon Jaylo, Pamela Wilson, James Zar,Vincent Cacciotti, Pedro De Kastro & Jon Beinart.
Kris Kuksi and Laurie Lipton will be signing copies of their books at the opening reception.
Each artist has been selected for their ability to express themselves imaginatively with exceptional technique and uncompromising individuality. The beinArt Surreal Art Collective is testimony to a huge international movement of figurative artists who have resisted current trends in the art world and remained true to their artistic vision.
Opening Reception: Saturday, March 19th – 8:00 – 11:30 pm.
Exhibit runs from March 19th – April 9th 2011.
Copro Gallery, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave, Unit T5, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA.

Group Show: Suddenspace, opens Nov. 6th in Alexandria VA

2010-11-01T09:23:00.000-07:00

I'll have some work in this group show opening Nov. 6th in Alexandria VA

more info: http://suddenspace.com/

Rally to Restore Sanity/Fear: October 30th 2010

2010-11-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

Here's a photo and some web screenshots of the costume I made for The Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear in DC.

Draw: Group show in Mexico City at Museo de la Ciudad de Mexico

2010-06-29T11:17:00.000-07:00

I have a small drawing in this museum exhibition in Mexico City.

My drawing is in the bottom row second from left. (I can't seem to locate an image of it though)DRAW is the largest contemporary drawing exhibition to emerge from New York City. It is a must-see art exhibition featuring original drawings by more than 350 artists influenced by the illustration, graffiti, tattoo, literature, design, animation, skateboard, music, psychedelic art worlds. The show is a tribute to the often-underrated but fundamental building block of visual and graphic art: the drawing.

Artists whose original works are in the show include : Chris Johanson, Terence Koh , Dan Colen , Aurel Schmidt , Benjamin Cho , DAZE , R. Crumb, Alex Grey, HR Giger, Clive Barker, Robert Williams, Mark Ryden, Wes Lang , Eric White , Rich Jacobs, Barry McGee , Rick Griffin, Ron English, Neck Face, Tim Biskup, Ed Templeton, Benjamin Cho, Mark Gonzales, Jack Rudy, Derek Hess, David Byrne, Mark Dean Veca, Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance), Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) , Kevin Long/Spanky, Hank Williams III, WK Interact, Jose Manuel Schmill, Shawn Barber, Doze Green, Kevin Llewellyn, Bast, Tomokazu Matsuyama, Greg Lamarche, Kostas Seremetis, Swoon, Tom Sachs, and hundreds more.

After four years of gallery exhibitions, DRAW will have it’s museum debut at Museo de la Ciudad de Mexico, one of MexicoCity’s finest museums. The opening is on June 19, 2010 and will exhibit through August 15, 2010. To coincide with the exhibition, the museum will be publishing a book for worldwide distribution to contemporary museum bookstores around the world. Carlo McCormick, one of the most respected art writers and curators in the U.S. will be writing an introductory essay for the book.

DRAW is curated by Erik Foss and Curse Mackey with guest curators Tim Barber, Miguel Calderon, Lisa Lebofsky, Jacaebor Kastor, Justin Giarla, Jamie O’Shea, Matt Campbell, Damian Weinkrantz, Les Barany, Sto, D* Face, Jonathan Levine, Tony Cox, and Anonymous Gallery Founder and Director, Joseph Ian Henrikson.
Anonymous Gallery’s curatorial contributions include artists such as: Bast, Tomokazu Matsuyama, Greg Lamarche, Tom Sachs, Kostas Seremetis, and Swoon.

My drawing "Jump" in Imaginaria Group Show in LA

2010-06-29T11:08:00.000-07:00

Group Show at Copro Gallery in Santa Monica

2010-05-13T15:11:00.000-07:00

my drawing "Rhinoceros" will be in this exhibition

beinArt International Surreal Art Collective Group Exhibition “Metamorphosis” at CoproGallery.

Guest Curator: Jon Beinart.

Opening Reception, Saturday, June 5 – 8:00 – 11:30 p.m.

Exhibit runs; June 5 – June 26, 2010.

‘Metamorphosis’ will present the work of over 50 international artists, many who have never shown their work in California or the USA, along with a number of well known artists who have.

Participating Artists: Ron English, Shawn Barber, Chris Mars,Chet Zar, David Stoupakis, Viktor Safonkin, David Bowers,Peter Gric, Dariusz Zawadzki, Karl Persson, Ray Donley, Heidi Taillefer, David Choquette, Fred Einaudi, Carrie Ann Baade,Laurie Lipton, Paul Rumsey, Jon Jaylo, Ben Tolman, Brian Viveros, Dan Quintana, Heather Nevay, James Zar, William B Hand, Katherine Blackwell, Jason John, Artur Golacki, Mikel Glass, Isabel Peppard, Mark Powell, Lily Mae Martin, Beau White, Larkin , Scott Musgrove, Chrystal Chan, Matt Martin,Jason Jacenko, Vincent Castiglia, Saturno Butto, Stephanie Henderson, Alex Garcia, J L Robbins, Leslie Ditto, Christian van minnen, Jon Beinart, Andy B Clarkson, Jeff Christensen, Luis Lorenzana & more.

Each artist has been chosen for their ability to express themselves imaginatively with exceptional technique and un compromised individuality. The works will cover many themes that are central to the human experience portrayed with a surreal, dreamlike and often nightmarish aesthetic.

‘Metamorphosis’ will be testimony to a huge international movement of figurative artists who have resisted current trends in the art world and remained true to their artistic vision.

CoproGallery

Bergamot Station

2525 Michigan Ave, Unit T5,

Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA.

Open Studios - April 24 & 25 2010

2010-04-10T09:17:00.000-07:00

http://www.52ostreetstudios.org/os.shtml

I have four new drawings in this huge group show.

2010-02-23T09:41:00.000-08:00

G40:The Summit

presented by Art Whino & Crystal City BID

223 23rd St., Arlington VA

March 1-30, 2010

Opening Reception March 6th, 2010

http://www.artwhino.com/g40/

Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition 2009

2009-10-08T08:56:00.000-07:00

The Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition exhibition at The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery will be on view from Oct. 23 through Aug. 22, 2010. My drawing "Jana" will be on display.

From the Portait Gallery's website:

“The second Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition represents a significant milestone for the National Portrait Gallery,” said Martin Sullivan, director of the museum. “We opened the entries to all visual arts media and received a wonderful response.”

The competition received 3,300 entries in a variety of visual arts media, from digital animation and video to large-scale drawings, prints and photographs and a plethora of painted and sculpted portraits. It was open to artists working in the United States who had created portraits after Jan. 1,2007, in any visual art form. The exhibition of the finalists’ works includes paintings, sculpture, drawings, photographs and video.

External jurors for the competition were Wanda M. Corn, professor emerita in art history at Stanford University; Kerry James Marshall, artist; Brian O’Doherty, artist and critic; and Peter Schjeldahl, art critic for The New Yorker. Jurors from the National Portrait Gallery were Martin E. Sullivan, director; Carolyn K. Carr, deputy director and chief curator; and Brandon Brame Fortune, curator of painting and sculpture.

The Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition is a triennial event that invites figurative artists to submit entries in all media to be considered for prizes and display at the National Portrait Gallery. During the exhibition, museum and Web site visitors can vote for their favorite pieces as part of the “People’s Choice Award,” and winners of this part of the competition will be announced Jan. 24, 2010. The endowment from the late Virginia Outwin Boochever has enabled the museum to conduct a national portrait competition and exhibition that encourages artists to explore the art of portraiture.

Direct Art Magazine

2009-10-06T10:26:00.000-07:00

My work is on the cover of Direct Art Vol. 16 (as well as a 6 page spread) which is out now.

You can find it at Borders or B&N or order it online here

http://www.slowart.com/current.htm

Corcoran Juried Alumni Exhibition

2009-09-20T07:34:00.000-07:00

My drawing The Theatre will be on exhibit here:

Corcoran Juried Alumni Exhibition 2009

Gallery 31

September 23-October 18

Closing Reception: Friday, October 16, 6-8 pm

North Atrium

Open Studio: April 25-26. 52 O St. NW, Washington DC

2009-03-23T10:05:00.000-07:00

"Draw" Group Show at Shooting Gallery in San Francisco. Opening April 11th.

2009-03-21T13:39:00.000-07:00

Jump

2009-03-21T13:36:00.001-07:00

Jump. Ink on board. 20x32 in. 2009

Portrait Competition

2009-02-16T06:53:00.000-08:00

I was selected as one of the semifinalists in the National Portrait Gallery's Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition, the final judging will take place later in the year. Along with a few of the other semifinalists I was given the opportunity to write a biweekly blog about my work for their website. You can view it here: http://www.portraitcompetition.si.edu/artist/splash.html

Fetal Position

2009-01-17T11:27:00.000-08:00

Fetal Position

Ink on Board, 20x32 in.

The Theatre

2008-09-30T20:26:00.001-07:00

High res. (10 MB) image of my latest drawing "The Theatre"

Video of the creation of my newest drawing "The Theatre"

2008-08-08T11:10:00.000-07:00

Over a year in the making, my largest and most involved project to date. This drawing was finished July 2008

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Exhibition at Hillyer Art Space in DC

2008-07-12T17:36:00.000-07:00

opening night...

photos by Pat Goslee

Upcoming Show: An Allegory In Ink. Opens July 11th in Washington, DC

2008-06-30T18:20:00.000-07:00

Drawing in progress... update

2008-05-24T09:14:00.000-07:00

Here is a new sneak peek at the drawing I am currently working on (it's the same drawing in progress featured in the videos posted earlier). It was started more than a year ago. The size is 80"x64".

Tattoo

2008-05-20T21:04:00.000-07:00

I have had a few requests now and then from people who want to get a tattoo from my artwork. This photo is the first one I have actually seen. Must of been a huge amount of work converting this to a tattoo. From my drawing cognitive transformation.

image pulled from here.

Open Studio April 26th-27th

2008-03-14T10:29:00.000-07:00

My studio along with all the other art studios in my building will be open to the public on April 26th-27th 11am-5pm. The location is 52 O st., NW Washington, DC

http://www.52ostreetstudios.org/

Drawings on wood

2008-02-28T22:32:00.000-08:00

A couple small pieces I did recently, mostly just for my own amusement.

Group Show at Art Whino

2008-02-05T11:33:00.000-08:00

I will have work in a group show in Alexandria, VA opening Feb. 22 at:

Art Whino
717 N. Saint Asaph St.
Alexandria, VA
Opening Feb.22nd 6pm-Midnight

The Antipodes Project

2008-01-14T10:45:00.001-08:00

The Antipodes Project is a collaborative art project I started a little more than a year ago. The progress is has been slow but it's coming together faster now. The projest now has 3 large ink drawings in progress, each on nine 14"x11" panels for a total size of 42"x33". Many very talented artists from around the world are working with me on the project, and we are still looking for more artists to contribute.

The project is here: www.antipodesproject.org

Art in Heat Group Show

2007-05-18T09:21:00.000-07:00

Art in Heat
June 30th to July 30th, 2007
Warehouse Gallery, Washington, DC
Opening Reception: Sat. June 30th 7-11 PM