27 August

City Paper Cover

City Paper Cover

I recently illustrated the cover for Charleston City Paper, which also turned out to be the Fall Arts Issue. It was a theater-inspired piece with a quick turnaround. So I grabbed my Wacom tablet for this one (full disclosure, I still try to make it feel like my oil technique!) and kept the sketch on […]

8 July

Culinary History of Charleston

Culinary History of Charleston

Charleston City Paper’s annual DISH magazine is rich with foodie tips and tales. I was commissioned to create an illustration about the history of black eateries in Charleston. The article, entitled “Fish Tales,” talks about the influence of fish sandwich cabarets on Charleston’s culinary history.

24 December

City Paper Literary Issue

City Paper Literary Issue

Just a few days away from Baby #3’s grand arrival, and I picked up a copy of Charleston City Paper’s Literary Issue. My husband Timothy Banks and I were both commissioned to create illustrations for short stories. “The Education of April Sue Spivey” is a fictional short story about two sisters heading off to different schools.(Also be sure to […]

13 April

Illustration Friday

Illustration Friday

Happy to be featured in the recent edition of the online creative portal Illustration Friday! I’ve long been a fan of this site (which includes a recent write-up about my illustrator hubby, Timothy Banks). We recently connected with blog writer Angie Brown, a fellow Charleston artist. Always great to make these local connections, and an extra […]

11 April

Houghton College Fine Arts Seminar

I was flattered to be invited as a guest speaker at the Houghton College Fine Arts Seminar in upstate New York. Students, where faculty and community members attended the presentation about my illustration career. It was such a warm reception and boost to my creative ego! The Houghton art faculty were so influential in my own […]

12 February

Freelancing with New Baby

Freelancing with New Baby

Just gave birth to our lovely second baby, Magnolia Wren! A few days after my hospital release and it’s time to jump back into my latest freelance project, an educational reader for Triumph LLC. Thankfully prepared with my Moby wrap and baby-safe water soluble (read non-toxic) oils. Hooray for multitasking!

5 January

Charleston Scene: Artist of the Week

Charleston Scene: Artist of the Week

My series of small oil portraits (“Tiny Illustrations”) were created for a collaborative art show in Charleston, SC. The work was also featured in an article in the Charleston Post and Courier, as follows: The Post and Courier “Artist of the week: Erin Bennett Banks” January 5, 2012 written by Vikki Matsis Inspired by the […]

13 September

Society of Children’s Book Illustrators and Writers (SCBWI) Cover Artist

Society of Children’s Book Illustrators and Writers (SCBWI) Cover Artist

My illustration “Harmony” was recently featured as the cover for Pen & Palette, the quarterly publication of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. An interview about my work and process was included in this issue, copied below. Society of Children’s Book Illustrators and Writers (SCBWI) “Cover Story: Erin Bennett Banks” Fall 2011 written […]

9 February

Animata’s Tale

Animata’s Tale

I recently completed a series of illustrations for a short story called “Animata’s Tale,” in a reader by McGraw-Hill. More samples of my educational illustration work can be viewed in my Portfolio.