Meet Ashley S. Benson aka AsherBee | Digital Artist & Toy Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley S. Benson aka AsherBee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, why did you pursue a creative career?
Growing up, I LOVED to draw. Give me a colored pencil or a pen, and I was happy! I enjoyed using clay, paint by number projects, making pipe cleaner, and tin foil animals; and I just enjoyed the whole process of personally making things. I was very fortunate to have a supportive mother and grandmother, although I’m sure they were both happy that I grew out of my tinfoil phase. Meal prep became a lot easier when they didn’t constantly have to find a nearly empty roll in the kitchen.

My first real core memory that led to my decision to pursue an artistic career, was my first movie theatre experience. I was about eight years old when my mom took me to see Bambie, and after exiting the theatre, I asked her how it was made, who makes all the art? She explained to me that animators made them move and colorists/painters made them beautiful. She told me there were a lot of different jobs that help make one animated film or show, and the thought of working to make something that others would want to see was an exciting feeling. If other people can make things that make me happy, why can’t I do that for others?

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Sure! When I’m creating, I love bright, vibrant colors that pop when you print them on your favorite material. I predominately work in Adobe Illustrator, and I prefer a mouse to a pen and tablet…but I’m learning to be more flexible. The mouse is just faster for me unless I’m working in Photoshop.

As far as content, I enjoy creating cute, kawaii art like my FAUNA FRUITS. I’m expressing the side of myself that enjoys adorable animals spliced with fruit and other foods, and generally light hearted material that puts you in a good mood. The brand officially started with my first sketch in 2008, but in 2018, the first FAUNA FRUITS plush toys made their debut to Kickstarter, and were successfully funded! Strawbunny, Watermurtle, and Orangster plushies were the first step, and paved the way for a second Kickstarter that focused on creating my first four ITA bags, wallets, and over 20 new fruit animal pin designs that can all be found in my Etsy shop.

I have another side of my personality that lends to darker humor, and honestly when I’m feeling super anxious or angsty, making them is an amazing release of all those vibes. The brand is called RUDICORNS, and I create both enamel pins, and digital art for it. RUDICORNS are NOT your usual mythical creatures. They started as just another unicorn project, full of glitter and kindness, but the longer I looked at the sketch, the more I started to question…’Are all Unicorns Nice?!’ I couldn’t fathom, that something so pretty would be required to say blissfully sweet words all day, everyday. I think we can all agree, everyone has their moments. Then it hit me! Why not make them slightly rude? I particularly like phrases that everyone can relate to, and nothing too hurtful or out there. The intent is to get your feelings across in an almost comical, “Mean Girls” kind of way, similar to the way the brand Happy Bunny made us laugh in the 90s. I can’t say they’re mean 24/7, but I can at least admit, “they’re pretty awful” as my tagline says.

I enjoy creating unique mermaids, and I’m working on expanding another brand called SWEET SEA SIRENS next year. I love to explore crazy themes. Have you even seen a shark or candy mermaid? I’ve already made both, and they’re on my Instagram. I have a huge collection of ideas I’d like to make specifically into mermaid enamel pins, so I’m looking forward to another year hovering over my laptop on my off hours.

I also had the opportunity to illustrate my first children’s book for an up and coming author during the beginning of the pandemic! I wanted something other than my day to day work to preoccupy my brain, and Alana Del La Cruz approached me at the perfect time! The World of Aquadonia – Princess Alana and the Mystical Mermaid Necklace is in stores now. It’s available through Target, Walmart, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and even Strand Book Stores.

I’m currently working with another author to create her first book, and I’m equally as excited to see it published.

Now, how did I get to my current profession? Well, I was born and raised in Wilmington, DE. I was raised by my mom and grandmother, and thrived in an art focused high school called Cab Calloway School of the Arts, It was like the tv show “Glee”, but with several art concentrations, and probably less improvised singing and dance routines. Sorry, no flash mob dances in the middle of the hallways.

From there, I went to Delaware College of Art and Design and obtained my Associates in Animation. I finished my next two years at Pratt Institute in New York, and graduated with a Bachelors in Fine Arts with a concentration in Traditional Animation. For several years, I worked as a Freelance Artist, and held down other jobs that had absolutely nothing to do with art to make a livable wage. A lot of us do. At one time, I was an after school tutor, a Library page, A school Librarian, and even an Assistant Property Manager for corporate offices, but I was desperate to find a way to make my degree matter and mean something. I landed several freelance jobs that would promise to bring me on as a full time employee, and I would get pretty close. There was a very popular online dress up doll game that kept me on for 2 1/2 years with promises, and I really thought that it would be the one. I was pretty heartbroken when they sold the game to another company, and cancelled my contract. During this time, I felt lost and even though the occasional big job from companies like Mattel or Hasbro would come along for concept work, it just wasn’t what I was looking for. I wanted permanence. I had my small business, which I really enjoy putting my heart into, but I wanted to make bigger waves and work on a team that made things that sparked joy. Nothing came easily, but during this time, I had an epiphany.

I have ALWAYS had the habit of going into stores and going straight to the toy section. It didn’t matter how many years went by, I LOVED children’s toys, probably more than I loved animation. I have no clue why it never dawned on me that I could make them for a living! I collect from some of my favorite brands, and some day this Millennial hopes to own her own home equipped with a room just to display all of the toys she’s been hoarding like Golem from the Lord of the Rings for years.

A few years ago, I finally got my chance! I currently work full time as a Product Designer for Just Play LLC, and I absolutely love what I get to do. Working here was the dream job I didn’t know I was working towards all those years, and I feel insanely fortunate that I get to do this daily with amazingly talented coworkers.

As far as lessons go, the road to get here was difficult, and I made a few horribly expensive mistakes, like attempting to go back to school for a Masters Degree with a for profit art school in San Francisco, which has ABSOLUTELY NO BUSINESS promising that a class schedule could be created that would teach Toy Design…ONLINE. I was desperate and stuck in Arizona with no way out, so Online courses were the only course of action I could see to get myself where I wanted to go. They had a Bachelors degree for Toy Design, but they like to soft pitch what you want and need, until it’s too late and you’re already in debt and too many courses in. I took classes that did absolutely NOTHING to get me where I am today. I begged and pleaded for classes dealing with Maya or Z-Brush software that I always wanted to learn, and I was always denied.

Have you ever heard of a Mandatory Elective?! Me either….but that’s what I got lol. It was basically a wood shop class where I was forced to buy thousands of dollars worth of power tools, and other materials, and the teacher completely checked out for at least 3 weeks, and left us to our own devices. Finally I had had enough, and I took a year off from school to move to L.A, and start my new life as a toy designer and learned that everything I wanted to learn previously was practically at my fingertips AT WORK. Learning a new skill that I actually needed for my job field was never offered to me in my online classes. I was falling further and further into student debt, and my mental state was super unhealthy for those long three years attending those classes where sometimes I was the ONLY student for 15 week courses.

Sitting there at work, being taught by one of my coworkers, how to paint in Z-Brush was the push I needed to wrench myself away from an unhealthy school that added absolutely nothing to my list of skills. I owe so much money in student loans…but I learned at least one lesson from them. I was so afraid not to finish. I was a person who set their mind to a task, and did it…and the feeling of not graduating and having a piece of paper to show for it horrified me. I thought I had failed if I didn’t go through with everything and graduate. But sitting there…at my desk… doing what I loved…doing it with people I wanted to see everyday…making toys for kids to play with, and get excited about…what more did I need to achieve with that expensive piece of paper? I won’t say all higher education isn’t worth going to. I got most of my skills from my time at Delaware College of Art and Design, and Pratt Institute. I had great, GREAT teachers who were passionate, and actually WANTED you to be just as excited about their lessons as they were. All I’m saying is be smart about where you’re going, and don’t listen to the college recruiters. NEVER LISTEN TO THE COLLEGE RECRUITERS. And if college isn’t for you, there are plenty of tutorials online that will help you if you’re on a tighter budget, and step back and do your research. Is college for you? Is additional college for you? And just know, it’s okay to change directions.

If you can take anything from my story, please just don’t give up on yourself. I was a kid who thought she was going to be an animator when she grew up, and that was that. I found new ways and new paths to enjoy and thrive on, and that’s okay. It’s not perfect, and I’m always still learning but I’m finally here. I’m glad to be where I am, and all of my past helped to shape my present.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Gosh, only a week?!

I’m honestly a homebody, and kind of a work-a-holic, so I’m using them as my excuse to sight see more. We’d have to stop at a bunch of museums, and attractions. We’d definitely hit the Natural History Museum and the California Science Center, and it would be awesome to hit The Broad museum to see Yayoi Kusama’s installations.

I can’t wait to take a tour of The Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, and maybe try some goat yoga!

If we hit a super hot day, it would be great to take a trip to Long Beach to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific, or hang out at the Los Angeles Zoo.

I’d also like to check out the Flutter Immersive Art Experience, and walk along the Santa Monica beach and pier.

For some side quests, maybe we can stop at the Rose Flea Market and I’m dying to visit the Magic Castle in Hollywood, and hopefully a quick shopping moment at MyViolet located in Los Angeles for some awesome goth and pastel pieces.

Even if we don’t make it to a lot of places, the great weather just makes for a great day in general!

A few of my favorite places to eat would be:

1. Nikuman-Ya in Gardena for Yakisoba
2. Mike’s New York Pizzeria in Inglewood for Stromboli
3. Thai Talay in Los Angeles for Pad See You and Dumpling Delight
4. Buffalo Spot in Inglewood for Buffalo Wings

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to dedicate my shoutout to my mom, Kathy, my grandmother, Florence, and my Uncle Mike. I wouldn’t be where I am today without your unwavering love and support. My heart is full knowing that I’m making you proud, and my successes in life, are your successes.

I’d also like to thank my college professor Kalika Kharkar for teaching me how use Adobe Illustrator, and Sally Eagles who gave me the opportunity to explore and thrive at my dream job. I’m where I want to be because you both gave me the opportunities I needed.

My final shoutout is to my best friend, Jodie Milmore, a fellow artist who has been there through all of my ups and downs. I wish I grew up knowing you, but we’re going to be awesome little white-haired ladies years from now, cackling at weird memes and sharing posts, so there’s the silver lining.

Also, a big thank you to all of the people who have supported my small business throughout the years!

All of these people knew how much I wanted to make things that made others happy, and without these people on my life path, it wouldn’t have been nearly as rewarding or fun.

Website: https://www.asherbee.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asherbeeart/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleysbenson/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/asher_bee

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VectorArtistAsherBee?ref=hl

Other: Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AsherBeeShopPops?ref=seller-platform-mcnav