About the Artist

Ben is a twenty-five year veteran of the game industry both tabletop and digital, whose roles have included illustrator, concept artist, art director and creative director as well as his early days as a professor of art.

An admitted art and design nerd at heart, his creative expression extends beyond that of 2D art (both digital and traditional media) and includes dabbling in graphic design and photography as well. He loves nothing more than applying all of this in a team setting, and working with others to build worlds and chase down awesome ideas together.

First Days

Ben has been creating art in some form or another since he was able to hold a pencil. While pictures of barbarian beheadings and demon eviscerations could often be found on the backs of math homework or the insides of textbooks, his infinitely patient and supportive mother and father continued to cheer him on towards a career that gives most parents a sinking feeling in their stomach.

Early Days

Ben graduated from the Laguna College of Art and Design, and immediately began teaching as a professor in the Illustration departments of Cal State Long Beach and Mt San Antonio Community College during the day. Many a weekend and sleepless night were to be spent on freelance work for such properties such as Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, Forgotten Realms, Legend of the Five Rings and many others.

Later Days

For the next 20 years Ben's time was primarily applied to the world of video game development. During that time he would work on Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game and the wildly successful digital card game Hearthstone. Ultimately he and a group of close friends would go on to form their own studio Moonshot Games, where the team continues to pour heart and soul into developing their first game together.

These Days

Ben divides his time between freelance illustration and art direction, but continues to be excited about anything that offers the chance to colaborate with others in an effort to make awesome stuff together.

He currently resides in Southern California with his incredibly supportive wife Helén, all the while making time for his books, exceedingly large cups of coffee and playing the guitar way too loudly.