Ben Courneya

  • Minneapolis MN

For the past ten years, I've been a stay-at-home dad and a freelance artist. From the time I was 5 years old I've been honing my skills in color, form, and composition. I've been able to translate these skills into a variety of media from digital art, to painting, murals and cake design. I love to work with subject matter involving animals and the natural world, but clients value my versatility and I am always looking forward to new artistic challenges.

Clients

Tin Wiskers Brewery, Fantasy Flight Games, Edina Realty, Target, Brooke Ross Photography, Sweets Bakeshop, Dynamic Diversified

Specialties

Children's IllustrationFantasy IllustrationCreature ArtConcept ArtGraphic DesignCake Design

Experience

Artist at Freelance

6/2006 – Present Minneapolis, MN

For the last 12 years, I have been offering my skills as an artist and designer for hire. I’ve only recently begun to self-promote, as my schedule now allows me to take on much more work.

-Worked with a broad variety of clients, from private parties and small business owners, to nationwide companies.

-Completed many types of project in a number of mediums, including t-shirts, logos, post cards, murals, paintings, comics, magnets, GIF animation, and digital illustration.

-Maintained consistent and clear communication with clients on a variety of platforms.

-Successfully managed to provide professional quality work with short timelines and hard deadlines.

-Employed my resourcefulness and problem solving to meet the unique demands of each project.

-Self-directed learning in digital media, including digital painting, photo editing, and vector art.

Muralist at Tin Whiskers Brewery

06/2013 – 04/2014 Saint Paul, MN

I got tapped to do a mural for a craft brewery that would be having its grand opening in late spring 2014. Check out their blog about it at: http://twbrewing.com/blog/tin-whiskers-famous-robot-mural

-Engaged in a lengthly consultation with the owners of the brewery, which included several design rounds, meetings, numerous emails, and on-site planning.

-Drafted a timeline, budget and list of assumptions for the owners in order to provide a realistic idea of the scope of the project.

-Worked with the owner’s contacts to gain access to a specialized projector which would allow me to project the work to a sufficient size.

-Procured or created all the materials necessary to complete the project.

-Consulted with a professional muralist to develop a strategy to complete the work.

-Worked long weekend hours to complete the job ahead of schedule, and under budget.

Lead Cake Designer at Sweets Bakeshop

01/2012 – 10/2012 Minneapolis, MN

I worked at this small storefront as the primary cake and cupcake decorator.

-Worked collaboratively with the owner and bakers to design and decorate cakes for birthday parties, corporate events, and weddings.

-Created display cakes for contests, trade shows, and magazine shoots.

-Was the lead designer for the decoration of the shop, including window displays, store shelves, and bakery cases.

-Was the primary contact for all of our clients, from initial contact, through design, production, and delivery of the product.

Cake Sculptor at Freelance

10/2009 – 11/2015 Minneapolis, MN

I developed this home business using social media and word of mouth generated from the birthday cakes I designed for my sons.

-Worked with clients from initial contact through design consultation, production and delivery of the final product.

-Managed each project through tight timelines, small budgets and unmovable deadlines.

-Maintained clear and consistent communication with all my clients on various platforms; each with unique commucation styles and differing expectations.

-Self-directed learning with numerous techniques and new materials to expand the possibilities of my work.

-Executed dynamic, beautiful and exacting work using a limiting and unforgiving medium.

Stay-at-Home Parent at Courneya Family

10/2008 – Present Minneapolis, MN

I took this position on a volunteer basis to save the organization tens of thousands in child care costs. As they say: the pay stinks, but the benefits can’t be beat.

-Supervised numerous education initiatives, including teaching my clients to walk, talk, use the potty, and read.

-Spearheaded enrichment retreats, such as camping, trips to the zoo, library and museum, and nature walks.

-Maintained a consistent exercise program which included frequent playground visits, couch olympics, and lava floors.

-Stayed on call 24/7 for the entirety of this period. This included countless duties performed in the middle of the night and early morning hours.

-Worked closely with my partner to maintain a consistent message, helping to provide my clients with instruction on empathy, manners, and appropriate behavior.

-Deftly balanced the goal of having well behaved, trustworthy children with the desire to raise curious, creative, happy human beings who are adept at free thought.

Skills

PhotoshopIllustratorInDesignCorel PainterWatercolorOilsAcrylicInkClayPencilAnimationCake DesignFondantIcingModeling Chocolate

Education

BA Coursework at Minneapolis College of Art and Design

2000 – 2004 Minneapolis, MN

UI certificate Program at Career Foundry

2018 – 2019 Online