“ We would really like to work with you. » The work of Benjamin Destouesse, widely exposed on the networks, had already caught the eye (indirectly) of the Bulls for a while. All that was missing was the right moment to call on young painter based in Bordeaux.
Contact was re-established in the run-up to “Derrick Rose Day” which honored the former franchise MVP in early January. The 26-year-old creator received a notification from the France account of the Bulls, the official version of the franchise managed by French intermediaries. The Illinois club therefore finally called on him, who has made jersey painting one of his specialties.
The details
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“ Several proposals had to be made, based on several photos », book “BenjiDestouesse” which is based on a graphic friend: “ We wanted a lot of movement. That's what I prefer, not just something laid back. I prefer speed on the jersey. » In mid-December, the proposal was validated by the franchise.
A pure autodidact
The basketball-loving artist could then embark on one of the most significant projects of his young career, which began seven years ago. When it comes to self-taught careers, the native of Dax is a model of the genre.
His artistic training? Nothing. “ Actually, I wasn't very good in class. I drew my classmates! It made me laugh, it was crazy. After a while, I said to myself that maybe there was something to be done with the networks. I got into it and little by little, it took on a little buzz. »
A euphemism because the young man, who specialized in the world of sport, particularly American, saw his notoriety explode with the pace of orders. His work led him, for example, to meet Kylian Mbappé. On the basketball side, he will provide a stylized Kobe Bryant jersey to Evan Fournier.
“ I made a large canvas for Rudy Gobert, for his mother and him, Vincent Poirier, Guerschon Yabusele for his dunk on LeBron(Nicolas) Batum with whom I get along very well, with his wife. I also did a 'Wemby' (Victor Wembanyama) which worked well. It brought me new suggestions », he lists.
So much so that today, there is no longer any real need to sell to sports professionals, showbiz professionals or the average individual. “ Now, people come directly to me, even the players or their loved ones. It's been a while since I walked. » It is in this context that the order from the Bulls was made, the amount of the contract he prefers not to reveal. “ Don't expect anything exorbitant. »
Three coats of paint
On December 20, two weeks before “Derrick Rose Day,” once the jersey was sent home by the Bulls, he got to work. Benjamin Destouesse works with acrylic paint. He starts with a flat area of white, makes a sketch directly on the jersey, then multiplies the layers of paint. At least three. “ Don't tremble! » Final step, a coat of varnish for his work which is mainly intended to be framed, rather than put on.
On December 2, the ordered jersey was completed. “ Usually it takes me a little longer », Testifies the Frenchman, who has to juggle two injections while recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon. What about the jersey made in honor of Derrick Rose? Rather than being hand-delivered to the former MVP, the work is ultimately intended for a simple competition.
The operation allowed it to gain visibility, and for the Bulls to feed their networks by soliciting artists. “ For them too, it was to create visibility. They told me they wanted to do lots of things with Rose. » It's done, and it's a source of pride for the artist whose parents played basketball in a small village in the Landes.
What’s next? Respond to your never-ending order book. “ My ultimate wish would be to do something with Damian Lillard. I know that artists who have done things with the Bucks follow me… », concludes the young man, who knows the strength of networks.
Photo credit: @diablae_
