an interview with ben tour

I first stumbled across Ben's work a number of years ago when seeing painted images of naked women was still somewhat awkward for me. Thanks to the media, I'm now desensitized to the natural curves that come with the detailed brush strokes and curious voyeurism that can't be helped when taking in one of Ben's pieces.

The frailty in each portrait provides a story of vulnerability and tragic strength that could only be summoned from experience from it's creator. Whether a personal interpretation or a vivid imagination, Mr. Tour carves an emotional path that always begins with the eyes.

Being a full-time artist and dad, Ben adds Illustration Instructor at Capilano University to his list of things to do with his 'free-time'.  (on a side note...this is a university where on their website, the staff is depicted by personalized South Park images. Obviously an in-touch learning facility)

My respect for Ben's work grew as did his exposure while working with Color Magazine, BLK/MRKT and other publications and galleries. Watching his work switch from large flowing forms to smaller images with tight lines and spotting the casual inset of typography was like a battery kill in the middle of None Shall Pass, only leaving me eager for more. 

Friday September 18th, Ben took part in the group show, 'A Configuration of Posture, Pose and Purpose' at the Ayden Gallery in Vancouver. Along with his work, this show also featured the works of Mandy Tsung, Jordan Bent, Carla Dearman, Kevin Ledo, Eve Duhamel, Kristian Adam and Kay Zigmont.

I stopped in to check out some pre-show prepping and visit with Mr. Tour as he was working on his feature piece. The following is from an email interview and the images are from the pre-show visit and permission grabs of Tour's work.

wlfmrs: First of all, thanks for your time.
Give us an intro to yourself...Place/best beer and medium.
Ben Tour: I live in Gibsons, BC. Its a short Ferry ride from Vancouver.
Best Beer? I'm on a cleanse right this minute so I'm trying not to think
about Beer. Medium? you mean to make Artwork with? The Ballpoint Pen is a
good one, coupled with a Photocopier.

wlfmrs: Tell me about your work with Color Mag. When did you start with them and
what kind of images are you producing?
Ben Tour: Go buy the latest issue-7.4 Autumn 2009. I have a Portrait of Hans-Peter
Lindstrom and I also rocked the Contributors page at the back. Pretty proud
of that issue.

I started illustrating for the Magazine back in 2004. I mostly do Portraits of Musician interviews, which is great. That's the kind
of stuff I enjoy so its great work to get. Everybody(illustrators) that
sends them samples of your work to get published can fuck off. That's my
territory bitches.

wlfmrs: What's going on with your work with Beer Bench Gospel? How involved are
you with them?
Ben Tour: Beer Bench is unofficially over. We were originally 3 friends that traded
a sketchbook around at the Cambie and painted some walls locally in
Vancouver. It was a weirdo graffiti outfit that managed to do some art shows
around Vancouver between 2003-2006. The key artists being Gabi Gabu Tofu,
Johnny Cloud and myself- we later threw down Fontski and Sanchez. People
that were around when it went down can pour out a little liquor. I think we
made a few great paintings together. All the members have since gone on to
create new bodies of their own work. We're all still cool. We should have put
a book out because all that work was never documented correctly and will
remain a drunken blur unfortunately. I know where one or two of our paintings
ended up but most ended up 'going missing'. Oh,well...

wlfmrs: How many different companies are you hooked up with these days?
Ben Tour: Hooked up with? not enough. Corporate art jobs are where it's at. Wutsup?

wlfmrs: It seems that you have a busy schedule. You have a little family these days, how are you managing with all the travel and such?
Ben Tour: I don't travel that much- you make it sound like I'm some big world traveler- I'm not. I went to NYC in July for a show for a week, so that's not a huge deal. Now that I have a young son I find my time to work on art is a lot less so the time I do make for the studio I try to make the most of. Once you have a kid, time starts flying by.

wlfmrs: I'm excited about this show of yours at Ayden. It's your first show after NY. How did that show go for you? Are we going to get a chance to see some of the work that you had at the Joshua Liner Gallery or are we looking at
all new work this Friday?
Ben Tour: The show at Ayden is all new work.

NYC was great- the show was fun. I was
showing in New York, which i think is a lot of young artists goal. I would like to do it again- I think its the best city in the World for showing art.

wlfmrs: Do you think the Olympics have or will change the Vancouver art scene? Is
there a better term than 'scene'? Man, I don't know.
Ben Tour: There are many art scenes within Vancouver- every Gallery is its own little
scene and group of friends and clients. I really don't know what the
Olympics will do for Fine Art here? Hopefully some deserving people will
sell some stuff and Galleries will meet a bunch of new rich people that come
through town. Who knows? I'll be hiding out on the Coast eating BBQ.

wlfmrs: Let's get to your work...tell me about your process. What's your starting
point? Is there a certain mood/creative space you need to be in to get
into a big piece?
Ben Tour: I just need time space and energy. Right now I'm trying to get into small
pieces as I'm burned out on the big ones- they're getting boring. I'm going to
do some small tight stuff.

wlfmrs: Do you ever do collab pieces? I don't think I've ever seen one.
Ben Tour: Not in awhile. I painted a wall with my friend Gabe from Beer Bench last
month and I draw with my son. I don't get many people coming through that
want to paint these days.

wlfmrs: Do you have a secret love for typography?
Ben Tour: Sure. I love Typography. I think everybody does. Those Jar Heads that
wear Affliction Shirts love that shit.

wlfmrs: Are there any new artists that you've come across recently that you'd like
to mention?
Ben Tour: Um. Brian Kokoska. I saw his work in a group show in Vancouver this Summer.
Check him out- he's a painter.

wlfmrs: Upcoming shows for you?
Ben Tour: Very Top Secret Project - watch for it Winter 2009.

wlfmrs: Last words?
Ben Tour: Hi Jasper.

Keep up with Ben on twitter or check his site 

thetourshow.com.