About Ben Lansing

CONTACT

Email: me@benlansing.com

BIO

Ben lives in central Virginia. He began his cartoon career when he was 16, drawing cartoons for the Richmond Times Dispatch and the Petersburg Progress Index. He graduated with honors from the University of Richmond in 2005.

Ben draws regular editorial cartoons for Virginia newspapers and illustrations and cartoons for advertisements, websites, books, business logos, and a variety of other projects. In 2007, Ben's tribute to the victims of the Virginia Tech shooting tragedy (click here for the image) became a national phenomenon, appearing on blogs, websites, newspapers, t-shirts, and national television programs across the nation.

When he isn't creating art, Ben is an aspiring writer and history scholar, book collector, and music aficionado. He enjoys pestering people with random fun facts, philosophical monologues, and badly-told jokes.

Over all, Ben is a sinner saved by the amazing grace of the author of good humor, Jesus Christ. Ben sincerely hopes that this grace also extends to his cartoons and illustrations.

AWARDS

- 1st Place for Illustrations, 2009 Virginia Press Association

- Pulitzer Prize Nomination, 2008 by John Seigenthaler, Sr.

- 1st Place & 2nd Place for Non-Daily Editorial Cartoons, 2008 Virginia Press Association

- 1st Place for Non-Daily Illustrations, 2008 Virginia Press Association

- 1st Place for Informational Graphics, 2008 Virginia Press Association

- Cartoon and sketches featured in the Newseum archives in Washington D.C

- "Best In Show" Virginia Press Association Award for Non-daily Illustrations

- 1st Place for Non-Daily Illustrations, 2007 Virginia Press Association

- 2nd Place for Non-Daily Illustrations, 2007 Virginia Press Association

- 1st Place for Non-Daily Editorial Cartoons, 2006 Virginia Press Association

- 1st Place for Cartoons, 2001 Youth Editors Association of America

- Honorable Mention, 1998 Landmark Editions Book Writing/Illustration Contest

- Finalist, 1993 Landmark Editions Book Writing/Illustration Contest

REVIEWS

"The moment I saw Ben Lansing's cartoon, it touched me. It spoke to me and for me in ways no news story or telecast had done." - John Seigenthaler, Sr., Freedom Forum

"Whether commenting on social, political, or cultural topics, Ben Lansing's cartoons are always on target--and LOADS of FUN!" - Gary Brookins, cartoonist (Shoe, Pluggers, and editorial cartoonist for the Richmond Times Dispatch)

"[Ben's work is] very clean and gets quickly to the point." - Virginia Press Association Judges, 2007 awards

"We've gotten great response from the community about Ben Lansing's cartoons, which have really livened up our editorial pages. They give folks another reason to buy our paper every week." - Greg Dorazio, editor of The Central Virginian

"[Ben Lansing's] peers believe that he is not only a great artist, but his cartoons contain deep thought provoking issues, issues that need to be talked about, discussed and openly debated. So next time you see our editorial cartoon of the week and get upset or laugh, remember, he is doing his job and that is to make you think about the subject matter. Congratulations Ben and keep’em coming!" - Purcellville Gazette Editorial

"Blessings to you. Thank you for using your creative talents to express what so many are feeling." - Richard M., reader (Blacksburg, VA)

"I, along with most other modern Virginians who read the Purcellville Gazette, LOVE your cartoonist. Keep up the good work, Mr. Lansing!" - Virginia T., reader (Leesburg, VA)