ben-literal

Who I am:

My name is Brian (Ben Literal if you're nasty) and I've been in the digital art game since 2002. My primary outlet used to be photo manipulation, then I moved onto digital paintings (which I occasionally still do). Right now, I focus on a medium that I call "flats". Sometimes it's vector art and sometimes it isn't, but I felt that calling them "flats" was simpler in the long run so that I didn't ever have to make the distinction between what's an actual vector and what isn't. But my work is characterized by the flat, simple shapes and bright colors typically associated with vector art.

I am a QRBLK (queer & Black) creator and representation advocate who believes that all people should be included in the world of art, regardless of age, body type, disability, gender identity/expression, or race. I am also the creator of The L.O.S.E.R.s, a slice of life comic on WebToon about five very different men in one polyamorous relationship. I don't make any calls about how good my art is, just how it makes me feel. I'm not interested in being seen as some amazing, deep, subversive artist. I just like making sexy people. I'm not interested in competition, comparison, accolades, or criticism (though some kind words and some sales would be nice!). My art, first and foremost, is for me.

Why I'm here:

I have a love/hate relationship with DeviantArt and I always have. But as Instagram continues to work against smaller creators, TikTok continues to be obnoxious, Twitter continues to descend into putrefaction, and Tumblr continues to be...Tumblr-y, there are very few well-established places left on the Internet where an artist can simply be an artist, not a content creator. So, here I am. While my primary goal is making sales of my art through my store, I also like to hunt for inspiration and make connections with fellow artists. So, don't be afraid to interact. I promise I'm much nicer than I sound. But please be advised that if your artwork is AI generated or AI enhanced in any way, we have nothing to discuss. Nothing. At. All.

Who I'm for:

I make art for the unrepresented, underrepresented, and misrepresented. My goal is to show beauty, sensuality, and sexuality in all kinds of people. That being said, I don't make art for kids, prudes, or people overly concerned with what's trendy or "conventionally attractive". I want minorities to view my art as a safe haven where they can see themselves or someone like them. If the thought of a larger bodied man in revealing swimwear offends you, if the thought of an older woman embracing her sexuality offends you, if the thought of racial diversity (somehow?!) offends you, you will not be happy here. But if you are the kind of person who believes that everyone has a right to feel sexy and deserves a place in the art world, welcome home.