ASK THE ARTIST: BEN SANDERS
Is it just us, or does the thought of Easter fill you with joy (and just a little bit of excitement at the thought of all the delicious eating you'll do)?!
So we thought, who better to channel that festive feeling than Ben Sanders — local Ballarat Boy, Super Talented Illustrator and Author, and Springhill Farm Fanatic — who created the packaging for our beautiful Easter Slice range. (You might remember Ben from our delicious Boozy* Slice range!)
We've asked Ben the hard-hitting questions to give you a glimpse of the artist behind the art. So settle into you favourite (aisle) seat, grab yourself a slice, and get to know a little more about Ben.
And no, we probably won't be creating a Banana Pizza flavoured Slice any time soon... Sorry Ben!!
1. Heels or flats or sneakers?
Sneakers… for every situation. I have one pair for mowing the grass and one pair for slightly more formal situations.
2. Vintage or new?
Vintage… with a dash of new… but mostly vintage. You know what I mean?
3. Window or aisle seat?
It surprises people when I opt for the aisle seat. You get extra leg room. Stretch out into the aisle. Just have to remember to pull the legs in when the drinks cart comes along.
4. What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve done in your life?
I packed up my family and we lived in the High Andes for three years. It was an incredible experience for all of us. We learned a new language and found we could survive in a completely different culture. I would recommend families jump off the deep end and see how it plays out. Bolivia was defining for us, we learned so much about life.
5. How would you define yourself in three words?
Too. Complicated.
6. What’s your current favourite piece of clothing that you own?
My hat. But I do need to wear other things too. I was wearing flat caps for years before they became fashionable. And I’ll be wearing them for years after the fad is over. It was nice to be on trend for a couple of years though.
7. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
A stranger once told me, “Never take advice from strangers.”
8. What’s your guilty pleasure?
Banana on pizza. Try it… it’ll change your life!
9. What are you currently reading?
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. I’ve been ‘currently reading’ it for months now. I may never finish it.
10. How do you start your day?
With a cup of coffee.
11. If you could switch lives with one person for a day, who would it be?
Any toddler. They have the BEST life, don’t they? Eat, play, sleep, play, eat, play, play!
12. If you were not an illustrator, what would you be doing?
I honestly don’t know. I can’t imagine not drawing. I have tried to think about what I might do if I ever got tired of illustration, but I can’t even do that. I do like drawing… is that becoming obvious?
13. What’s something you can’t do?
I can’t watch the movie E.T. The Extra Terrestrial. Ummm… let me explain. I never watched it as a kid, but I had a plush toy of ET, a jigsaw puzzle of ET, a story book of ET, and so on. As the years when by whenever the movie came up in conversation, I would explain that I’d never seen it, which was a bit of a shock to most people, who would then urge me to watch it. At some point I decided that the reaction to me having never seen this classic was better than having watched it. I figure that if I saw it now, I may be disappointed. As dozens of people have recommended the movie, it couldn’t possibly live up to the decades of hype. So, no… I can’t watch ET, it has to remain unwatched, it’s better that way.
14. Where was the best vacation you’ve ever taken?
I’ve got a soft spot for Valparaíso, Chile. I’ve been there twice now as a stopover between my home in Australia and where I lived for a time in Bolivia. When you fly into Santiago Airport, drive away from the oversized capital city and head for the coast. The old barrios of Valparaíso have steep, meandering city streets, vibrant street art, great food and incredible views overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
15. What’s one city you’ve always dreamed of traveling to?
Havana, Cuba. The history, the music, the colour, the people… everything! I have to get there one day.
16. What’s something you always travel with?
With as little as possible. I met a Korean girl who backpacked from South Africa all the way up to Europe. She started in South Africa with two large suitcases. Over the months, bit by bit she discarded all the things she no longer needed. By the time I met her in Italy she was only carrying a small day pack with everything she needed. That’s what I’ve done ever since.
17. What’s your favourite movie?
Fantastic Mr. Fox.
18. What’s the one talent you wish you had?
It would be nice to be able to sing in tune. It’s probably a talent that others around me wished I had too.
19. What’s your favourite exercise?
Pfftttt… exercise? When I’m old I’ll be taking up Tai Chi, looks like fun in a grandpa-ish kind of way.
20. What’s your favourite fast-food order?
Musubi Burger
21. What’s the best thing that happened this year?
I released four children’s picture books. I really enjoy writing and illustrating books, and it’s a thrill to see them on the shelves of a bookstore.
22. Which movie makes you laugh the hardest?
Nacho Libre.
23. Do you like surprises?
This question surprised me… and I like that. Thank you.
24. What did you want to do with your life at age 12?
Well, I’m doing it now. Drawing! I was doing it at 12 too. I got my first paid illustration gig at 12, it was a sign of things to come.
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Go on, SHOP THE RANGE and take home your own piece of Ben's beautiful artwork!
