Hi! My name is Benjamin J Hummel.
I am a storyteller with many passions
These passions find their way as themes into my art. As a native of Colorado, these include ideas of the romantic West, history, the great outdoors, baseball, and the innocence of childhood. My illustrations are characterized by a joyful sense of nostalgia and of a time gone by.
My other great passion is teaching. I currently teach at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design and have published instructional books on drawing, illustration, and picture making. My book about learning how to draw folds and drapery is available on Amazon.com. ( ^ Get it today, it’s an awesome book! Also, leave me a kind review. 🙂
Living and Creating with a Disability
Part of my story includes the fact that I am a two-time liver transplant survivor and daily battle the ravages of a debilitating auto-immune disorder I’ve had from birth. Throughout my life, I’ve had hundreds of hospital stays and multiple surgeries. I must take several different medications and endure a multitude of procedures. I fight through it all and I do not let my condition stop me from ultimately finding hope through the pain. Whether through my illustrations or my stories (or both!) I endeavor to inspire others who are dealing with their own roadblocks in life.
Occasionally, I will document my struggle through pictures, as it helps me deal with some of the physical discomfort, and provides me an abstract way of depicting my feelings when words are insufficient. You can follow this story through my blog or on my Instagram account: @hummelillustration.
The things I’ve done
Whether working for large publishers or small, I have illustrated multiple children’s books, including picture books and young adult novels
I was the official illustrator for the Centennial Institute for many years. Through this, I was introduced to high-profile dignitaries and was able to create caricatures for them.
Ask anybody, and I’ll most famously be known as the 3D chalk artist guy. That’s because for many years, that was my staple. Due to declining health, I don’t do this as often, but you can still check out my street art portfolio.
My illustrations have appeared in multiple newspapers, magazines, and textbooks, in front of the US Food and Drug Administration, and even before the United States Supreme Court!
Below is a client list, but the most up-to-date listing is on my LinkedIn profile.
Clients include Filter Press, Breckenridge Arts, Jeffco Students First, Centennial Institute, Columbia University, Bedford/St. Martin’s Press, Westbow Press, Law Offices of Brenda Speer, Faith Bible Chapel, ZOE Ministries, Carnegie Mellon University, Adams State University, Colorado State University, Denison University, Colorado University Hospital, Pearson Education, Creative Impressions, Independence Institute, Backbone America, Professional Community Management Systems, Whistle Away Crime, Adventures Galore, Embassy Suites Downtown Denver, Tehama, IZOD G, Henry Gill/Frontier Airlines, Colorado Rural Electric, PriMedia, Pauline Books and Media, Friends of Astor House Museum, Renton’s International Stationery, Cook Communications, Pathway Seminars, Golden Historic Society, Boettcher Mansion, The Denver Post.
What does the bee mean?
You may have noticed a running theme in my artwork and my branding, that of a bumblebee and similar motifs, such as the honeycomb. Frequently I will hide bees in my illustrations, adding extra “easter eggs” for people to look for. Hummel translates from the German word bumblebee. The family name provides a very powerful connection to an insect that already has wonderful meanings.
Did I mention that I write as well?
In addition to academic writing, I just finished a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat young adult novel about time travel, titled “The Time Club.” It’s exciting, it’s grand, and it’s on Amazon (hint, order yours today!). To preview the first chapter, click here.
