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Born in Los Angeles, a fifth generation Californian.
In 1957, Ben's senior year in high school, he won a statewide sports cartooning scholarship to Chouinards Art Institute sponsored by Walt Disney Studios and
The Los Angeles Herald Examiner.
With 60+ years experience in the Graphic Arts Field, Ben's diversified artistic background has afforded him many honors, awards and interesting projects.
In 1983, Ben owned and operated his own advertising agency in Irvine, California.
Four years later he formed De Soto Designs.
He is also involved in sports cartooning, children's book illustration, fine art painting and numerous other projects.
Ben's Hobbies include: All types of sports, antiques collecting and music.
NATIONAL AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
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Honorable Mention - Golden Press N.Y.
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Honorable Mention - Hartford Insurance Company
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Special Award - American Airlines (Travel Poster)
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Honorable Mention - Hallmark Company
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Special Award - Strathmore Paper Company
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Design Award - County of Orange, 100th year
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Designed Orange County Hall of Fame Logo (1994)
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Designed Freedom Bowl Logo (1992 &1993)
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Designed "FUN PACKS" Baseball Card characatures for The Upper Deck Company
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Designed Olympic Logo for 2002 Olympics, Ogden, Utah
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Laguna Beach Small Paintings - Best in Show 2014
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Laguna Beach Small Paintings - Honorable Mention 2016
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Created numerous cartoons for The National Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, NY
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Fine Art, illustration, cartooning and hand crafted items.
Ben De Soto
Disneyland Advertising Department
Jack & Jill Magazine (Children's Book Illustration)
Speed Racer Enterprises
Chicago Air Museum
American Greeting
Gallant Greetings (Travel Poster Art)
Mark 56 Records
Hallmark Company
Varsity House/Mattel Toys (Greeting Card Design)
El Torito Restaurant - Grace Company
Mattel Toys Licensing
Warner Bros. - Looney Toons - Batman
King Features - Popeye
Hanna Barbara - Turner Productions
Peanuts
Garfield - PAWS
Betty Boop
DC Comics
Berenstein Bears
Laguna Beach Art Festival
OCSA, Orange County Sports Association
John Wayne Airport - Orange County, California
Freedom Bowl
Super Pets
County of Orange, California
The Upper Deck Company
DIC
Ogden/Weber Chamber of Commerce
American Motorcross Association
Naisbitts Brewing Company
The Highsmith Publishing Co.
Gibbs/Smith Publishing
Saban
Sterling - Chappele Publishing - New York
Iomega Corporation
Learning Wrap-Ups
Iggy's Sports Bar and Grill, Salt Lake City, Utah