Although he is not an example of an advanced 3-dimensional model, Benny has a lot of charm and a very likeable character with an honest face, if not slightly grotesque. Benny was made back in my college art era and a fellow student, a Polish immigrant, praised Benny's style, design, and color theme by making comparison to European-styled work. Although I grew up an American, I endeavored always to branch out beyond the stated domestic culture I swam in.
An earlier incarnation of my online art portfolio featured the above animation of Benny's angelic conscience being poked and skewered by his red velvet jacketed alter-ego...although, at that time, the motion had to be activated by rolling the mouse pointer over the image. A former college roommate and now professional colleague mentioned at that time how much he enjoyed the playful sight and I wanted to make it available somewhere in connection with my work...regardless of how dated it is.
An earlier incarnation of my online art portfolio featured the above animation of Benny's angelic conscience being poked and skewered by his red velvet jacketed alter-ego...although, at that time, the motion had to be activated by rolling the mouse pointer over the image. A former college roommate and now professional colleague mentioned at that time how much he enjoyed the playful sight and I wanted to make it available somewhere in connection with my work...regardless of how dated it is.
Being dated aside, I believe that Benny has a lot of branding potential. I see him on mugs or greeting cards, or even as little statuettes in various poses, scenarios and costumes. Benny just needs a voice and a platform.
Sometimes I imagine Benny sitting at a cafe being waited on with a coffee mug in hand, or I've imagined him in an authentic and atmospheric Japanese alleyway sushi restaurant with a pair of chops digging into a perfectly arranged plate of raw fishies. Other times, my mind's eye sees him in a steamy bathroom after a shower with towel tied about his waist jogging in place and hands held high in a victory pose and hopelessly flexing in the mirror as he listens to the Rocky theme song, or moonwalking suddenly in the park with headphones on as he jives along with Michael Jackson.
I don't keep Benny around because he's the best model I've ever done, or even the best character design I've ever put out - no, I keep him around because of his charm potential - and this is what makes me think that despite the lack of technical modeling prowess, his visual concept is very marketable.
Yeah, someday I'll get on that. Him, and the thousand others lying dormant in my sketchbooks and mindscape.
