<![CDATA[BEN BRICK

<![CDATA[BEN BRICK - strips]]>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 11:52:01 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[November 26th, 2021]]>Fri, 26 Nov 2021 23:29:28 GMThttps://www.benbrickart.com/strips/november-26th-2021

]]><![CDATA[Stay Young]]>Tue, 02 Mar 2021 23:00:04 GMThttps://www.benbrickart.com/strips/stay-young

When we are young we have to grow up, but when we have grown up we have lost so much. Though it seems Growing up was the mistake, the real problem tends to be forgetting what it was like to be a child. Don't forget who you are ok? the world needs you the way you are.

]]><![CDATA[Struggles]]>Tue, 26 Feb 2019 02:06:15 GMThttps://www.benbrickart.com/strips/struggles

rodeo illustration, bison, North Dakota, Cowboy on a bison

I was asked by a designer yesterday, “does life ever get easier or less scary.” quite a profound and interesting question. Now, I hadn’t thought about that for a long time. Yes, I’ve had those feelings in the past but Lately I’ve kinda forgot about them.

As much as struggle sucks (and I haven’t struggled near as much as most) it is a big part of progress and who you are. You can’t grow much without hardship and you can’t better your situation without doing something that scares you. Big changes, even if the results are good, takes a bit of courage.

life doesn’t seem to get easier, and rarely does it get less scary. but it does tend to get better when surrounded by good people. I’m learning that stress and fear (when leading to progress) are constant reminders that I’m doing the right thing. I don’t want to stop growing and I don’t want to stop moving. So I say I’m excited when I feel nervous and I trust my gut to tell me what is right.

]]><![CDATA[see it through]]>Thu, 31 Jan 2019 03:05:06 GMThttps://www.benbrickart.com/strips/see-it-through

pilot illustration, beer label design, WW2 Pilot illustration

I remember my grandpa, wrench in hand and oil dripping off his arms, working on his out dated and over used swather. We were miles from home and cell phones weren’t real yet. He had just busted his knuckles and blood flowed over motor oil. He didn’t complain, he wasn’t a victim, and he didn’t give up. he was just cool.⠀
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Being a city kid, I was on a true adventure for the first time. I couldn’t change my outcome. I had no idea where we were, if grandpa could fix it, or when we might make it home. But I knew from grandpa's eyes, this was nothing. It was easy for him and he’s been through this 50 times before.

By the time we got back home for dinner I was a little more self confident and a little less helpless knowing we fixed our own problem... and we could do it again tomorrow if we had to.⠀
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Next time your in a pickle, take a breath and remember, stress makes us interesting and You can’t be great at anything without it. What hurts now, is important for your future.

]]><![CDATA[Branding Workshop]]>Wed, 23 May 2018 16:58:24 GMThttps://www.benbrickart.com/strips/may-23rd-2018

Branding is at the base of almost everything you're creating, weather your starting a business or writing the great American novel. you're brand is the reputation of that new creation. It is paramount to get it right, this alone will get you the right client and the right client makes all the difference.

]]><![CDATA[What Compass should a professional buy]]>Wed, 28 Dec 2016 00:16:06 GMThttps://www.benbrickart.com/strips/what-compass-should-a-professional-buyWeeks before Christmas my cheap pacific arc compass decided it was tired and stopped following its threads (didn't even know what happened but basically, it wouldn't keep its radius any longer). This might be cool if I was just dicking around drawing on the back side of my math homework... but damn, I'm a professional here... gotta shape up. I spent an hour and a going down the Compass hole on the internet. Needless to say. I found the best one.

The compass I found was built for the harsh environments of sailing and an unsteady work desk. having it here in my hand I feel like I could stand on it like a stilt and I don't think I would wreck it. (maybe, I'm not gonna try cus it will probably break) reading through the reviews I collected that this particular compass won't break unless you mean to break it. the whole thing is made of brass so it looks killer and again tough as nails, maybe tougher. it is nice and heavy which helps the needle end stay put while the other side is spinning. It even makes me feel bad ass holding it.

Weems & Plath, Compass, Drawing, Sketching, Bismarck, North Dakota, Professional Illustrator, Drafting tools

The one drawback I have found is this. there isn't a gnarled grip on the tip to twist. It takes some getting used to right away to not have that part that most compasses have, but I don't even care. It's too cool to be that picky.

This all to say, I will never have to waist another minute scrounging the internet for a compass. It will most likely never break making it pretty much a family heirloom. Provided my son even knows what this thing is when he reaches the right age.

Below I have placed a link in case you want to see reviews or buy it, but I'm telling you, it's killer!

]]><![CDATA[UNICORN THINKS HE'S PRETTY GREAT]]>Wed, 18 May 2016 13:33:34 GMThttps://www.benbrickart.com/strips/unicorn-thinks-hes-pretty-greatPost first published in my personal newsletter

Did you know you have a talent that is more developed than any of your friends? You can do something that nobody else around you can. The trick is, knowing what that is.

Now I'm not an advocate of "everybody is special" or "you can do anything you put your head to" because the reality is, you might not be suited for some things. I do, however, believe that every person on this planet has a special skill. Some people don't nurture that skill. Even more people don't even know what that skill is.

I mean of course you can do anything you put your mind to if you are 100 percent healthy, 5 years old, and you know nothing bad will ever happen to your health. If I put my mind to it right now, I probably could not play pro basketball. I'm almost 30 and I am 5'5''. Even if I give it my all for the next 5 years I will be mediocre at best. On the other hand if we look at what I have already put time in learning, in five years, it is completely rational to think I could, with hard work, be a photojournalist, a cartoonist, or a typographer.

You have to look at YOUR strengths, not everybody else's.
So many times, I hear people talk about how others become successful. I hear people say "THEY have the money to do that." or "IF ONLY I had more time." The truth is as satisfying as these are to say to ourselves... It's preventing YOU from moving forward with your passion.

Maybe you are right. Your competition could and probably does have more money than you. Maybe they also have more time than you, but excuses are just there to tell yourself it is ok not to try. Don't fall for it.

Forget about what they have. This is the wrong time to give up. It's also the wrong time to talk about other people. You are wasting your time understanding how others make it. You are not them and their strategy will not work for you. Think about yourself. Where do you have strength that others do not. If you don't know, we need to find it.

most people don't even realize they have something special going on. A lot of times it takes outside advice to find it. It sounds conceited and it might be out of your comfort zone, but if you have to, ask your closest friends what you do best. I guarantee it will start you in the right direction. Friends might not know everything about you, but they usually know your strengths and weaknesses.

Combine that skill with your passion.
If your friends say, you are good with animals but you love photography, for heaven's sakes start taking beautiful pictures of animals. the world needs your talents and skills.

Some people love their talents/gifts, others aren't so sure about them. Instead of just wanting other's talents/gifts, look at your own gifts and see where/how you can use them to get to your goal. Mixing your special skill with your passion will give you individuality and the leg up you are looking for.

"Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great" is a story about a goat who thinks Unicorn is the most talented and lucky creature in school. He can make it rain cupcakes and fly and all Goat can do is make Marshmellow bars and ride a bike.

That all changes when Unicorn meets Goat. Unicorn swoons over Goats horns, they are perfect for Soccer, Goat can stand on tall mountains with his special feet but Unicorn can not stand on tall mountains with hooves. Unicorn shows Goat what he is good at.

I think this book shows a few important lessons about greener sides and such but it is important to learn what others can teach you about yourself and what you can teach others about themselves.

Out of everyone in this world, you have a different gift to give. It is your responsibility to figure out what that gift is and give it.

Enjoy what you have.

]]><![CDATA[Harry and Horsie]]>Wed, 11 May 2016 16:02:19 GMThttps://www.benbrickart.com/strips/harry-and-horsiePost first published in my personal newsletter

I didn't have many friends as a kid, which isn't a complaint. I had enough fun alone at 6am, television full volume, and stuffed bear in hand to keep me busy. The day had begun.

My bear and I were cowboys, ninjas, or any other thing you would think of. Other kids were not needed for such play, no, no... We worked alone. I don't know what I would have done if I lost my imaginary friend. I believe if I had, I would have gone to the very edge of the galaxy to find him.

Creativity is hard to hold on to
This behavior is rarely encouraged. We are taught to be efficient and productive. In turn we build routines and comfort which leave us to lose this beautiful skill.

If we break routines, we see new things. If we become uncomfortable, we learn and grow and if we are creative we can do anything we put our minds to. These all seem like very important things and they are.

STORY/ART
We instinctively learn how to Imagine as children and try our best to hold on to it all the way through life. As an adult it is hard to remember what it is like to race through space to save a friend. "Harry and Horsie" reminds us of who we were when we were when everything wasn't so complicated. It's an exciting action adventure of a boy who can not sleep and ends up flying through space to save his best friend. The art backs the story perfectly with an 80's/90's comic mixed with modern character design. This is THE BOOK that started my love for children's books and got me on the path of creating my own. I strongly recommend it for anyone!

]]><![CDATA[A rough draft]]>Tue, 10 May 2016 14:04:34 GMThttps://www.benbrickart.com/strips/a-rough-draft

When finding the perfect mark for a business, we go through many ideas to land on a final concept. The majority of them are never shown to anyone because they are embarrassing... This one Has some charm but it just doesn't fit.

It feels like a waste to make so many and use use only one. Yet it all serves the final purpose.

]]><![CDATA[Logos Start on Paper]]>Mon, 09 May 2016 14:22:21 GMThttps://www.benbrickart.com/strips/logos-start-on-paper

The design process starts with paper and pencil... And if I'm feeling brave, even pen.

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