Benoit is a professional illustrator and an amateur pizzaiolo. He loves to draw ice hockey goalies, old taverns and lobsters.
WHAT DID YOU GET IN TROUBLE FOR AS A KID? ANYTHING ADULTS TOLD YOU TO AVOID THAT’S ACTUALLY A BIG PART OF YOUR LIFE NOW?
My mom caught me and my brother once. We were hiding under the counter and eating all the blueberry pie that she just cooked. That is the only bad thing I did when I was kid. I was an angel.
WHEN YOU GET A NEW PROJECT FROM BLUE Q, HOW DO YOU BEGIN? WHAT’S THE STARTING POINT?
I love to talk with people at Blue Q and listen to their thoughts. Then, I put on a nice punk rock vinyl and do a ton of sketches.
WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST ART INSPIRATION? THIS MAY NOT BE VISUAL. LIKE, ANYTHING!
Dominic Hasek was a legendary hockey goaltender. He played in the ‘90s and 2000s. He has his own style and played unlike any goalies in this era. He looked super sketchy and disorganized in the net, but that worked very, very well. I think that reflects my personality. It’s what I try to do with my drawing.
WHERE DO YOUR BEST IDEAS COME FROM? (DREAMS, SHOWER, MUSEUM, TRAIN?)
Good ideas are like butterflies. But can be everywhere at any time, so you have to be aware and catch them.
HOW DOES CREATIVITY RUN IN YOUR FAMILY, EVEN IF IT’S NOT DESIGN-RELATED?
I do a lot of creative projects with my son. He’s a big inspiration for me. I try to learn from kids, I’m jealous of their spontaneity when they draw!
