Animazing Gallery

Brilliant & hilarious Maurice Sendak interview with Stephen Colbert

2012-01-27T10:23:00.001-08:00

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

Chuck Jones Celebrated with 'The Chuck Jones Experience' at Circus Circus

2012-01-23T10:18:00.000-08:00

LAS VEGAS, NEV.- For generations of animation fans there is no greater legend than Chuck Jones. The creator of the famed Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts for Warner Bros., Tom & Jerry cartoons, the TV version of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas and many other well-known classics, Jones was a pioneer in the art of animation and a fine artist in his own right. His life and legacy will be celebrated on January 19 with the official grand opening of The Chuck Jones Experience at Circus Circus Las Vegas. Many of Jones' family will welcome celebrities, animation aficionados and visitors to the new attraction when they open the attraction in an appropriate and unconventional way at 11 a.m. The Chuck Jones Experience is a nearly 10,000-square-foot destination that provides kids and animation fans of all ages with an extraordinary place to not only learn about the art of animation, but to discover the creativity and magic that's inside us all. Designed to "Educate, Inspire & Entertain"

THE STAN LEE UNIVERSE - MoCCA

2012-01-17T10:29:00.000-08:00

MoCCA is pleased to announce:

THE STAN LEE UNIVERSE by DANNY FINGEROTHSigning and Celebration

with O’NEIL, JAFFEE, SANDERSON, FINGEROTH
Thurs, February 2nd, 2012

Admission: $7 / FREE for MoCCA Members

The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art – MoCCA – is proud to announce a special MoCCA Thursdays event: A celebration and signing of The Stan Lee Universe, Danny Fingeroth and Roy Thomas’s new book about the co-creator of Spider-Man, The X-Men, Iron Man, and so many other iconic characters. The panel features Lee-colleagues (and contributors to the book) DENNIS O’NEIL, AL JAFFEE, PETER SANDERSON, and co-editor DANNY FINGEROTH. (And don’t be surprised if a guest-star or two shows up as well!)

Copies of The Stan Lee Universe will be available for purchase and signing at the event.

[NOTE: Stan Lee will NOT be present.]

About the book:

THE STAN LEE UNIVERSE is a portrait of Lee’s and Marvel's development as pop culture forces. It includes much material found in The STAN LEE ARCHIVES at the University of Wyoming, including transcripts of lost radio interviews and debates with Lee and figures such as Hilde Mosse (Fredric Wertham’s partner in comics-hating) and Jack Kirby. Others whose voices are "heard" in this eclectic volume include: Roger Ebert; Country Joe and the Fish; Will Eisner: Richard Corben; Neal Conan; and James Cameron. And script, pencil art, and detailed notes from both Lee and Kirby for their Silver Su! rfer Graphic Novel, and pages from a screenplay Lee wrote for director Alain Resnais are just some of the extraordinary items in this one-of-a-kind book.

Raves for THE STAN LEE UNIVERSE:

“What if you could dig through the attic of the guy who co-created Spider-Man, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk and dozens of others? The result might be fine gift-book.
—Charlie Meyerson, FM News 101.1, Chicago

“There’s something on every page that is soaked in awesome." —John Robinson,needcoffee.com

“No matter what you think you may know about , you’ll learn a lot from The Stan Lee Universe and I recommend it most highly to anybody the least bit interested in comics or our American heritage.” —Mike Gold, comicmix.com

About the panelists (all of whom contributed to the content of the book):

DENNIS O’NEIL, one of comics' most acclaimed writers, brought social consciousness to the medium with the groundbreaking Green Lantern/Green Arrow series. His work on Batman—as writer and editor—returned that character to its dark, gothic roots. Denny worked closely with Stan in the ‘60s and speaks in The Stan Lee Universe about learning from Lee in those early years of Marvel’s development.

AL JAFFEE was an editor, writer, and artist for Stan at Timely (later Marvel) Comics during the ‘40s and ‘50s. In 1955, Jaffee joined Mad, entertaining generations with his “Mad Fold-Ins” and “Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions.” In The Stan Lee Universe, Al talks about what it was like to work with Stan. The book also showcases hilarious Lee-Jaffee memorabilia from Stan’s archives.
PETER SANDERSON is a comics guru, penning books, journal articles, and criticism, and producing documentaries on comics. Peter was Marvel’s first archivist and was main writer ofThe Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe. In an article in The Stan Lee Universe,Peter astutely analyzes Stan’s writing style.
DANNY FINGEROTH, co-editor (with Roy Thomas) of The Stan Lee Universe, is MoCCA’s Sr VP of Education. He was a longtime editor and writer at Marvel, where he often worked with Stan. Danny went to Lee’s Wyoming archives, where he found much of the rare material that appears in the book. He is the author of Superman on the Couch: What Superheroes Really Tell us About Ourselves and Society and Disguised as Clark Kent: Jews, Comics, and the Creation of the Superhero.

For more information, call 212-254-3511 or go to www.moccany.org.

The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art - MoCCA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts education organization dedicated to the preservation, study and display of all forms of comic and cartoon art. The museum promotes greater understanding and appreciation of the artistic, cultural and historical significance of comic and cartoon art through a variety of events, exhibitions, and educational programs. The museum is located at 594 Broadway (between Houston and Prince Streets) in New York City. MoCCA is open to the public Tuesdays through Sundays from 12:00-5:00 pm. Suggested donation to the museum is $6 but free for MoCCA Members as well as for children 10 and under (when accompanied by a paying adult). For more information about the museum! and MoCCA events, exhibitions and programs, contact MoCCA President and Chairman Ellen S. Abramowitz ateabramowitz@moccany.org.

Comics Out Loud at Society of Illustrators

2012-01-13T14:03:00.000-08:00

	January 28, 2012	1-5pm
	COMICS OUT LOUD Featuring: LOUISE SIMONSON, WALTER SIMONSON, BOB WIACEK, CHRIS SOTOMAYOR and JOHN WORKMAN Curated by DANNY FINGEROTH Comic books (and their cousins, graphic novels) are something we’re all familiar with from childhood on. But if you’re not involved in making them, how they come to be can seem a little mysterious and intimidating. Now, the curtain is pulled back as comics editor and writer DANNY FINGEROTH, in collaboration with THE SOCIETY OF ILLUSTRATORS presents: COMICS OUT LOUD In a manner similar to the Society’s acclaimed ART OUT LOUD events, COMICS OUT LOUD will feature top comic book creators—one from each discipline of the medium—demonstrating and discussing their work processes as attendees circulate around the room and watch the process of “sequential art” (as the great Will Eisner dubbed it) being made. You’ll get to watch writer LOUISE SIMONSON, penciler WALT SIMONSON, inker BOB WIACEK, colorist CHRIS SOTOMAYOR, and letterer JOHN WORKMAN as they ply their crafts. Each creator will be working on a current assignment, so that attendees will get a sense of how team-created comics come to be. Event organizer, and longtime comics editor, DANNY FINGEROTH, will be on hand to discuss and demonstrate the role of the editor in the comic book making process. COMICS OUT LOUD will be a rare opportunity to see top creators doing—and speaking about—their work. You will have the chance to find out everything you always wanted to know about making comics, but were afraid—or didn’t even know—to ask! Tickets $50 non-members, $40 members, $20 students Food will be available for an additional $5. Purchase tickets here!

Upcoming Events at Animazing

2012-01-12T15:37:00.000-08:00

Tom Everhart with John Salley on Game On!

2012-01-12T07:35:00.000-08:00


Tom Everhart and John Salley (photo courtesy of Tom Everhart Studio)

Tom Everhart is on John Salley's show Game On! which airs on Reelz Channel. Check your local listings for dates and times. Read more about it on C.J. Gronner's blog here

Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey

2011-12-27T09:01:00.000-08:00

Presented By:

ITHT Commission

Time:

Fri, Jan 6, 2012 - 8:00pm

This special screening will include a conversation afterwards with film Director Constance Marks and Producer, Irvington resident, Corinne LaPook.
Every day, millions tune in to Sesame Street to see one of the world’s most adored and recognizable characters—a furry red monster named Elmo. Yet, with all of Elmo’s fame, the man behind the icon is able to walk down the street without being recognized. ..meet Kevin Clash. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg and including interviews with Frank Oz, Rosie O’Donnell, Cheryl Henson, Joan Ganz Cooney and others, this intimate, captivating and award-winning documentary offers up a rare, behind-the-scenes look at Sesame Street and the Jim Henson Workshop.
  “It is impossible to come out of this documentary without wanting to hug someone” New York Magazine.
1hr 20 min. Documentary PG
for more information: www.beingelmo.com

Ticket Pricing:

General Admission $8.00

Order Tickets Now

Wishing you a joyful holiday season!

2011-12-22T09:13:00.000-08:00

Last minute gift ideas to save the day!

Please call us at 212.226.7374 if you need an extraordinary gift for someone special....

NICOLETTA CECCOLI

Giclées on paper | Editions of 50 + 5 APs | Signed by the artist

Buy a fine art print | Buy Beautiful Nightmares | Buy The Princess & the Prey Exclusive

TOM EVERHART

Scratch & Snif | Sold out limited-edition lithographs on paper | Signed by the artist
Buy the portfolio | Buy Scratch | Buy Snif

PEANUTS ETCHINGS (all)

Heartfelt

Devoted

Flying Ace

EXCLUSIVE THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS ETCHINGS

Sally / Jack Skellington / Lock, Shock & Barrel | limited edition etchings
Buy the portfolio

Daniel Merriam and Heidi Leigh in San Francisco

2011-12-20T07:12:00.000-08:00

Holiday cheer in SF!

NYC GO - Animazing Gallery

2011-12-15T09:10:00.000-08:00

We want to thank the Official Guide, NYC GO, for their wonderful listing for Animazing Gallery. It features fantastic photos of our SoHo corner space, showcasing the incredible art of the Froud family.

Check it out here.

The Frouds & Animazing on the homepage of Art Knowledge News!

2011-12-15T08:15:00.000-08:00

View the article here

World of Froud Video

2011-12-13T10:25:00.000-08:00

View it here

Animazing Gallery in Time Out NY

2011-12-08T15:40:00.001-08:00

View it here

Getty Images Froud Event Photos from Animazing Gallery

2011-12-03T10:28:00.001-08:00

View the images here

Photos from the unveiling of THE WORLD OF FROUD: Visions for Film and Faerie

2011-12-02T13:12:00.001-08:00

Photos here. Thank you to you everyone, and enjoy the images!

ARTWORK ONLINE: WORLD OF FROUD | VISIONS FOR FILM + FAERIE

2011-12-01T09:13:00.001-08:00

WORLD OF FROUD | VISIONS FOR FILM + FAERIE

View the artwork here

Frouds at UCONN

2011-11-30T15:57:00.001-08:00

Hall of Fame!

Wendy's favorite

A Work in Progress for World of Froud

2011-11-30T07:35:00.001-08:00

Everyone is hard at work prepping for Visions for Film + Faerie!

The second edition of Beautiful Nightmares from Nicoletta Ceccoli is here!!!!

2011-11-25T14:04:00.001-08:00

Purchase yours here

Thanksgiving in NYC!

2011-11-24T14:57:00.000-08:00

		HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ANIMAZING!
New Tim Burton Float!

KERMIT!

Santa Claus!

Heidi, Anelle Miller, Dennis Dittrich, Brian + Wendy Froud

2011-11-23T14:11:00.001-08:00

All of us at Animazing Gallery with you a happy holiday....We're all working hard!

Here's Heidi with Anelle Miller from Society of Illustrators and Brian + Wendy Froud!

NBC to start new puppet sitcom with the Jim Henson Company!

2011-11-21T14:51:00.001-08:00

More info from New York Magazine

Fun Times at Animazing with the Frouds

2011-11-19T14:39:00.001-08:00

Wendy + Brian Froud held an incredible doll making workshop today at Animazing Gallery.

Getting ready for the Collector's Event!

Lovely window display by Wendy Froud + Stefano Brancato

Brian Froud and Heidi Leigh

The Oakland Museum to Show PIXAR-25 Years of Animation

2011-11-19T11:18:00.000-08:00

The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) will present PIXAR: 25 Years of Animation, a major exhibition of over 500 works by the artists at Pixar Animation Studios, including drawings, paintings, and sculptures that illustrate the creative process and craftsmanship behind Pixar's wildly successful computer-animated films. This will be a significantly enhanced presentation of the exhibition, which is returning home to Oakland after a successful worldwide tour that began at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 2005. A number of significant works will be on public display for the first time, including art from Ratatouille, WALL•E, Up, and Pixar's latest feature film, Toy Story 3. PIXAR will also include an updated, awe-inspiring version of the Pixar Artscape, a widescreen media installation. On view from July 31, 2010 through January 9, 2011, the exhibition will be accompanied by screenings of Pixar's feature and short films; a special program of lectures, talks and workshops with Pixar artists; and a new and expanded exhibition catalogue.

Brian and Wendy Froud with Stefano Brancato Set-up Scenarios at Animazing

2011-11-18T11:06:00.001-08:00

The Dark Crystal Part of the BAMcinématek series Puppets on Film

2011-11-16T14:33:00.001-08:00

The Dark Crystal

Part of the BAMcinématek series Puppets on Film

Fri, Nov 18 at 4:30pm*
Sun, Nov 20 at 6:50pm**
*Introduction by Sam Hale and Cheryl Henson
**Introduction by Wendy & Brian Froud, conceptual designers of Dark Crystal

Directed by Jim Henson & Frank Oz
With Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Kathryn Mullen, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold

(1982) 83min

In another time, a source of Balance and Truth in the Universe was shattered, dividing the world into the wicked Skeksis and the peaceful Mystics. It's up to Jen—the last of his race—to fulfill the prophecy that a Gelfling will return the missing shard to the Crystal and destroy the Skeksis' evil empire. Designed by fantasy artist Brian Froud, Jim Henson’s groundbreaking masterpiece redefined live-action puppet film.

BAM Rose Cinemas
General Admission: $12
BAM Cinema Club Members: $7
Movie Moguls: Free
Seniors: $9
Students: $9 (25 and under with a valid ID, Mon—Thu)

The Art of the Frouds Exhibit
December 2, 2011—February 12, 2012

This December, Animazing Gallery in New York presents Brian Froud's first US exhibition: Visions for Film & Faerie in collaboration with a site-specific installation by Wendy Froud and their son, Toby Froud, both renowned doll and puppet-makers.

The Froud family is responsible for the creative concept behind such classics as The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.

Click here for more information and a list of events.

How the Muppets Were Saved

2011-11-16T12:40:00.001-08:00

Congrats to the mad professor of imagination, Dr Bill Carman

2011-11-15T11:22:00.001-08:00

"Translator" by Bill Carman won a silver medal in the institutional category of The Society of Illustrators 54 annual. Congrats to the mad professor of imagination, Dr Bill Carman!

Passport to the Arts

2011-11-12T07:11:00.001-08:00

Kirk Reinert brings his painting "Vader’s Dream - A Visitation From Padme" to AG

2011-11-11T16:15:00.001-08:00

Kirk and Heidi Leigh at Animazing Gallery

The New Yorker Passport to the Arts Setup @ Animazing

2011-11-11T15:35:00.001-08:00

The industrious team from The New Yorker stuffing gift bags for participants in their Passport to the Arts Event!

Go to their website to buy tickets and for more information.

Virtual Tour of Animazing Gallery

2011-11-08T09:29:00.000-08:00

Tour the ground level of Animazing Gallery here via Google. Stop by to see our latest exhibitions and browse the huge lower-level gallery space, too!

Click here to tour!

Heidi Leigh and Wendy Froud at Animazing

2011-11-03T09:39:00.000-07:00

Wendy will be the designer and creator of Animazing Gallery's holiday window display.

FaerieCon 2011 this weekend!

2011-11-02T13:30:00.000-07:00

At the FaerieCon this weekend, November 4th-6th, in Baltimore, Brian + Wendy Froud will discuss the upcoming exhibition & sale @ Animazing Gallery with Heidi Leigh.

Reservations for this lecture + the masked ball are available at the FaerieCon website here!

The new exhibition catalog & poster will be available for purchase as well. If you can't make it to Faerie Con, you can also purchase them here. You can have your exhibition catalog personally dedicated by Brian, Wendy + Toby!

Brian + Wendy Froud arrive @ Animazing

2011-11-02T10:30:00.000-07:00

Brian + Wendy Froud arrive @ Animazing with some little friends in tow...come check out the holiday windows that Wendy Froud will design and install later in the month!

Society of Illustrators will host the Frouds for Q&A

2011-11-01T11:39:00.001-07:00

The Society of Illustrators, in conjunction with the Animazing Gallery exhibit World of Froud: Visions for Film & Faerie, is hosting an evening of Q & A with the Froud family, the pre-eminent Faerie artists of our time. Brian Froud is the premier fairy painter and illustrator, with over 30 books in publication and over 8 million books sold to date including Good Faeries/Bad Faeries (Hugo and Chesley Award), Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book (Hugo Award), Faeries' Oracle and Lady Cottington's Fairy Album.
He is widely known for his conceptual design work on feature films including Jim Henson's Labyrinth (1987) and The Dark Crystal (1982), where he met his wife, Wendy Froud. Wendy has also worked as a sculptor and puppet maker for the Muppet Show, Muppet Movie and The Empire Strikes Back (as fabricator of Yoda). Their son Toby Froud started his career as baby "Toby" in the Labyrinth. To date, Toby works as a stilt-walker and dancing bear with a troupe that performs throughout England in a costume designed by his mother. He is currently working on a film project featuring his own puppets.
The discussion will be moderated by Heidi Leigh, owner of Animazing Gallery, and will be followed by a book signing and cocktail reception. Please note, only books purchased at the Society of Illustrators will be signed.

Tickets

$20 Non-members, $15 members, $10 students

Purchase tickets here

More here

"It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" will air tonight on ABC

2011-10-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

Guess who will wait and wait and wait for the a sitting of the Great Pumpkin.....Linus, Sally and a million TV viewers!
Don't miss it tonight at 7PM on ABC

The classic animated Halloween-themed PEANUTS special, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown created by late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, as well as a bonus PEANUTS cartoon,You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown, in which Linus runs for class president, will air THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. The program will air with Spanish audio via SAP.

More at ABC here

The Mississippi Museum of Art opens "Jim Henson’s Fantastic World "

2011-10-25T16:02:00.000-07:00

Jim Henson’s Fantastic Worldoffers a rare glimpse into the imagination and creative genius of the multi-talented innovator and creator of beloved characters like Kermit the Frog, Big Bird, and hundreds of others. From the beginning, the Mississippi-native expressed his ideas in incredible bursts of invention, through a variety of visual forms, clever dialogue, songs, comic bits, and animation. This exhibition presents original artwork, including drawings and cartoons, as well as other objects like puppets and movie props, all of which reveal the brilliant mind of their creator. On exhibition through 14 March, 2010.

More at Art Knowledge News

Johnny Depp to Become Dr. Seuss for Illumination and Universal

2011-10-25T08:35:00.000-07:00

The star will also produce the live action feature inspired by the life of the classic children's book author.

More here

Opening of "Unbalanced" by Bill Carman

2011-10-23T19:27:00.000-07:00

Bill Carman

Bill Carman, Heidi Leigh and guests

Bill Carman speaks to the sales team @ Animazing

2011-10-22T13:28:00.000-07:00

Bill describes some of his inspirations, as well as the accessibility of his work and how the viewer approaches and relates to the image on the wall.

Bill Carman, Heidi Leigh & Visitor @ Animazing!

2011-10-22T10:19:00.000-07:00

Unbalanced, an Exhibition of New Paintings from Bill Carman opens tonight from 6-9PM!

New Tim Burton balloon in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

2011-10-22T10:17:00.000-07:00

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Movie Review: Being Elmo

2011-10-21T11:40:00.000-07:00

More at NYTIMES.COM

Google honors the birthday of classic Disney artist Mary Blair

2011-10-21T08:18:00.000-07:00

Google honored the art of Disney creative Mary Blair today with a doodle!

Unbalanced, a collection of new paintings by Bill Carman

2011-10-20T09:37:00.000-07:00

Check out "The Joust" (far left)

Visitors enjoying a preview of the show

Exhibition opening is this Saturday, October 22nd from 6-9PM, rsvp@animazing.com

Frank Oz will visit MoMI on 10/23

2011-10-20T07:03:00.000-07:00

Mr. Oz, who helped create and performed puppet characters like Fozzie Bear, Grover,Bert and the “Star Wars” Jedi master Yoda, and who went on to direct films including “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” and “What About Bob?”, will appear at the museum on Oct. 23. He will be interviewed by Craig Shemin, the president of The Jim Henson Legacy, and discuss his performing and filmmaking career, as well as his development of Miss Piggy’s persona. The museum said it would screen “The Muppets Take Manhattan,” which Mr. Oz directed, on Oct. 22 and 23, and his film version of “Little Shop of Horrors,” on Oct. 29 and 30.
More here

The Nightmare Before Christmas returns to Disneyland's classic ride, The Haunted Mansion for Halloween!

2011-10-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

It was with great pleasure that we took a field-trip to Disneyland to check out the return of Tim Burton's beloved character Jack Skellington to the classic attraction, The Haunted Mansion. We highly recommend the ride to fans of all ages!

Animazing Gallery has exhibited and sold artwork from Disney films for decades. The gallery's collection of artwork from THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS is second to none, and can be seen online here. (Browse our NIGHTMARE exclusives here, and our Halloween specials here!)

Here are some snapshots* of the brilliant amusement park attraction.

David Lipson hard at work...

2011-10-14T08:17:00.000-07:00

Passport to the Arts | The New Yorker Magazine

2011-10-10T09:29:00.000-07:00

Love letter from a former intern....

2011-10-06T11:40:00.000-07:00

Andy Warhol Museum Features the Iconic Comic Book Artist ~ Alex Ross

2011-10-05T13:45:00.000-07:00

From Art Knowledge News

PITTSBURGH, PA.- The Andy Warhol Museum presents its latest special exhibition, Heroes & Villains: The Comic Book Art of Alex Ross. Heroes & Villains is the first museum exhibition celebrating the artwork of Alex Ross, today’s foremost comic book artist. Ross, acclaimed for the photorealism of his work is often referred to as “the Norman Rockwell of the comics world.” Heroes & Villains features over 130 works represented as paintings, drawings, photographs, and sculptures from Ross’s personal collection. The pieces range from a crayon drawing of Spider-Man that he created at the age of four through to today’s paintings. On view through the 8th of January.

This exhibition outlines Ross’s career of redefining comic books and graphic novels for a new generation of followers of Superman, Batman, Spider-Man and other classic comic book superheroes. The exhibition also includes original artwork by Frank Bez, J.C. Leyendecker, Andrew Loomis, Norman Rockwell, and Lynette Ross (Ross’s mother and a successful commercial illustrator), as well as artworks and archival material from The Andy Warhol Museum collection.

Born in Portland, Oregon in 1970 and raised in Lubbock, Texas, Alex Ross grew up in a world of colorful, painted images. Ross’s mother, Lynette, was a successful illustrator in the 1940s and 1950s, the same time that Warhol was creating his commercial illustrations in New York City. By the time Ross was 13 years old he was drawing and scripting comic books. At the age of 17, Ross went on to study painting at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, where he was influenced by Salvador Dali’s hyperrealism, as well as by such classic American illustrators as Rockwell and Leyendecker.

Ross began his professional career as a storybook artist for an advertising agency. At the age of 19 Ross received his first comic assignment from Marvel Comics – a comic titled Terminator: The Burning Earth. Five years later, Ross created the illustrations and cover art for Marvels, a full feature comic book, co-written by Kurt Busiek. Ross’s photorealistic gouache technique showcases superheroes and villains such as Spider-Man, the Human Torch, Captain America and Galactus. His sophomore project, Kingdom Come, is a comic in which an alternate DC Universe is filled with aging superhero forces including Superman, Wonder Woman and the Green Lantern, who come out of retirement to fight modern superhumans. Thanks to his talents, Ross would go on to win the Comic Buyer’s Guide Award for Favorite Painter seven times in a row, resulting in the retirement of the category.

Kirk Reinert's process...works in progress

2011-10-03T09:17:00.000-07:00

more Bug

Check out Kirk's artistic process as he meticulously creates the creepily magnetic characters of his Hooch, Cooch & Scootching paintings. See more on his website here

New Cover of Beautiful Nightmares, 2nd edition, from Nicoletta Ceccoli!

2011-10-03T08:04:00.000-07:00

COMING SOON

Check back for more information later in the month....We should have the book end of November/beginning of December; just in time for the holidays!

Kirk Reinert at Animazing Gallery of SoHo for exhibition launch

2011-09-22T14:25:00.000-07:00

Animazing Gallery welcomes Kirk Reinert and his extraordinary original + limited edition artwork to its SoHo showroom. Gallery owner Heidi Leigh, Director Nick Leone and Kirk Reinert himself conducted a meeting with the Art Consultants regarding the newest works, which are on exhibition now through October 20th. The reception is tonight from 6-9PM. RSVP@animazing.com, or call 212.226.7374.

Show Opening | Kirk Reinert | Hooch, Cooch & Scootching

2011-09-21T08:05:00.000-07:00

Come see the wonderful new collection from Kirk Reinert...

RSVP is required for the artist’s reception and exhibition unveiling from 6-9PM on September 22nd, 2011. Animazing Gallery is located at 54 Greene Street (at Broome). The exhibition is free and open to the public seven days a week; Monday-Saturday 10-7, Sunday 11-6. Contact 212-226-7374 or pr@animazing.com for details.

Exhibition Mainpage

The Oakland Museum to Show PIXAR-25 Years of Animation

2011-09-20T12:45:00.000-07:00

From Art Knowledge News

The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) will present PIXAR: 25 Years of Animation, a major exhibition of over 500 works by the artists at Pixar Animation Studios, including drawings, paintings, and sculptures that illustrate the creative process and craftsmanship behind Pixar's wildly successful computer-animated films. This will be a significantly enhanced presentation of the exhibition, which is returning home to Oakland after a successful worldwide tour that began at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 2005. A number of significant works will be on public display for the first time, including art from Ratatouille, WALL•E, Up, and Pixar's latest feature film, Toy Story 3. PIXAR will also include an updated, awe-inspiring version of the Pixar Artscape, a widescreen media installation. On view from July 31, 2010 through January 9, 2011, the exhibition will be accompanied by screenings of Pixar's feature and short films; a special program of lectures, talks and workshops with Pixar artists; and a new and expanded exhibition catalogue.

"The Bay Area, has emerged as the global center for animation today, making OMCA an ideal venue for this comprehensive exhibition of Pixar's achievements," said Lori Fogarty, Executive Director of the Oakland Museum of California. "This Museum's mission is to connect communities to the natural and cultural heritage of California, and we believe that Pixar is in many ways a quintessential California enterprise. Not only does Pixar carry on the extraordinary legacy of animation in California-and particularly the pioneering creativity of the Walt Disney Studios-but it represents the dynamic marriage of art and technology that is a hallmark of California innovation."

"We're thrilled to see this greatly enhanced version of the exhibition come to the newly reopened Oakland Museum of California, our hometown museum and practically a neighbor," adds John Lasseter, Chief Creative Officer, Pixar and Disney Animation Studios. "Most people don't realize that many Pixar artists work in traditional media-drawing, painting, pastels, and sculpture-as well as in digital media. This artwork plays a particularly important role in the process of concept design, story, and character development. OMCA celebrates the breadth of California creativity through its collections and it is wonderful to revisit the craftsmanship of Pixar artists in this context."

Wayne Anderson featured in Art Knowledge News

2011-09-20T10:00:00.000-07:00

Animazing presents Dragons in the Dungeon by Wayne Anderson

Aveyron, France.- Over the decades, Wayne Anderson has become renowned for his playful imagination and fantastic imagery. The Animazing Gallery at the Chateau de Belcastel is proud to present 'Dragons in the Dungeon', a unique collection of the legendary beasts, inspired by medieval legends and fairie tales by British artist Wayne Anderson. The exhibition will be on view from April 1st unti; November 6th 2011.Wayne Anderson was born in 1946 and studied graphics at Leicester College of Art. On leaving Art College he moved to London in search of work in an Advertising Agency or Design Studio. After a series of interviews it was repeatedly suggested that because of the strong drawing element in his work maybe he should consider re-organising his Portfolio with a view to becoming a Freelance Illustrator. One of his first commissions was to produce a picture on a fortnightly basis for the Clement Freud Cookery Column in the Weekend Telegraph Magazine. This lasted for a two year period and gave him a regular income and allowed him to develop other works and gradually become established as an Illustrator. In 1970 after getting married, he moved back to a Leicestershire village, working from home with a London based Agent. Wayne Andersons images have been used for greetings cards, posters, prints, jigsaws, playing cards, recod and CD covers, book jackets, magazine illustrations, advertising campaigns, animated films, holograms and books. Visit the artists website at ... http://www.wayneandersonart.com

Built a thousand years ago on a gigantic rock, the magnificent fortress of Chateau de Belcastel rises above one of the most beautiful villages in the Aveyron region of France. A self-guided tour, rich with historical information, leads visitors over the moat and throughout the castle and its grounds. Only recently was this private chateau, with its lush courtyards, medieval chapels, prison and superb views, opened to the public. Fernand Pouillon, (1912-1986) architect, visionary and award-winning author and Officer of the Légion d'Honneur, devoted himself completely to the restoration of Château de Belcastel after he discovered it in ruins in 1973. Now, what was once the private residence of Fernand Pouillon offers itself as an architectural gem, a historical landmark and host to a collection of unique art galleries. Visitors will discover an extraordinary collection of original armor, as well as revolving exhibitions of art and sculpture curated by the owners of Animazing Gallery of SoHo, New York. Since 2005 this delightful gallery has resided within the Château de Belcastel. Visit the chateau's website at ... http://www.chateaubelcastel.com/A SoHo landmark since 1984, the original Animazing Gallery in New York offers a unique collection of art that indulges the senses and emotions with color, playfulness and beauty. Paintings, sculpture, American illustration, and vintage animation created by some of the most talented and innovative artists of our time are showcased in our New York gallery and within the exhibition halls of the Château de Belcastel in France. Their artists & studios include Dr. Seuss, Charles M. Schulz, Maurice Sendak, Daniel Merriam, Tim Burton, Tom Everhart, Disney, Warner Bros., Ralph Bakshi, Bill Watterson, D.C. & Marvel Comics, Hanna-Barbera, & many more. Visit the gallery's website at ... http://www.animazing.com/

Brian Froud (On Labyrinth & Jim Henson)

2011-09-16T09:22:00.000-07:00

Brian Froud

On Labyrinth & Jim Henson

Labyrinth- how did the film begin?

Well I can tell you because I was there.

It was in San Francisco, and Jim Henson, my wife, Wendy, and I were traveling in the back of a limousine. We had just been to a special showing of Dark Crystal, a film which had taken five years to make, We were tired by the effort but now buoyed by the audience’s response.

Jim said, “Shall we make another one?” “Why not?” we replied.

Jim’s daughter Lisa was majoring in mythology and was enthusiastic about Indian and Far Eastern mythology. Jim liked the idea of colorful gods flying across the sky. He wanted to know me if I knew anything about the subject. I admitted my ignorance. There was silence for a while, then I said, “But I know about goblins!” Jim’s face brightened- for, of course, so did he! “Great!” he said, “but this time, I want people in the film.” I immediately pictured a baby surrounded by goblins. (This was a rare occurrence, for normally I have to search long and hard for images.) I told Jim that traditionally goblins steal babies. “That’s the beginning of our story, but what else?” Jim replied. I didn’t know but suggested that a labyrinth would make a really good metaphor for the soul’s journey. It started that simply.”

Tahiti Taxi from Tom Everhart....

2011-09-15T16:05:00.000-07:00

The Tahiti Taxi | The Arty-Fact Paintings by Tom Everhart have finally arrived at Animazing! The new additions to the Arty-Fact Paintings recall the blue waters Tom is so fond of....

Julie Bell + Boris Vallejo at Society of Illustrators: Art Out Loud

2011-09-14T07:13:00.000-07:00

Saturday, September 24, 2011

1:00 - 5:00 pm

Society of Illustrators

128 East 63 Street

New York, NY 10065

Top fantastic illustrators will demonstrate their skills and techniques in an open forum.

Tickets $40 Members, $50 Non-Members, $20 Students

Food will be available for an additional $5

rsvp@societyillustrators.org or call 212.838.2560

MORE INFORMATION

Hooch, Cooch & Scootching in SoHo...

2011-09-09T15:35:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Gary!!!

2011-09-09T07:49:00.000-07:00

Friend and Animazing Gallery Shipping Manager!

The New Yorker Magazine's PASSPORT TO THE ARTS

2011-09-08T15:11:00.001-07:00

Coming November 12th- The New Yorker Magazine's PASSPORT TO THE ARTS. Special thanks to Kirk Reinert for donating a limited edition print of Ida the Spider to benefit CUE at the auction!

The Earl of Glasgow Asks To Keep Graffiti Permanent on his Castle

2011-09-06T07:14:00.000-07:00

From Art Knowledge News

The Earl of Glasgow has written to Historic Scotland asking if the exhibit can remain as a permanent feature of Kelburn Castle in Largs. The mural features a psychedelic series of interwoven cartoons depicting surreal urban culture and was completed by Brazilian graffiti artists in 2007 at a cost of £20,000. It was originally permitted by North Ayrshire Council on the understanding that it was temporary. A three-year limit was put on the graffiti, pending the start of work to replace the harling stucco on the exterior of the turret. The castle is located in the grounds of Kelburn Estate, which also houses a country centre open to the public and featuring a series of outdoor attractions. The idea was simple and original: take the vibrant and often transient art form of Brazilian graffiti, out of its predominantly urban street art context and apply it to the ancient and permanent walls of an historic rural castle in Scotland. On a historic building steeped in rural conservative perceptions, this bold and shocking artistic statement received huge media attention, while challenging the public's understanding of both urban graffiti art and the British institution the building represents.

Comic Art on view at the Library of Congress!

2011-08-31T07:48:00.000-07:00

From Art Knowledge News

The Library of Congress is pleased to present “Timely and Timeless: New Comic Art Acquisitions” on view from September 15th through March 10th 2012. Political and social satire, comic-strip and comic-book drawings, New Yorker magazine illustrations and graphic narratives — original cartoon art that was added to the Library of Congress collections during the past decade — will all be featured in the new exhibition. “Timely and Timeless” celebrates and demonstrates the multi-faceted development and impressive growth of the comic art collections at the Library of Congress. The 48 works on display are grouped primarily by genre, including editorial cartoons, caricatures, comic strips, cover art and humor cartoons, comic-book drawings and graphic narratives. Among the cartoonists represented are historical masters James Gillray and Honoré Daumier, as well as modern and contemporary creators such as Jazz Age cartoonist John Held, Jr.; African American artist Oliver Wendell Harrington; New Yorker cartoonists Charles Addams and Roz Chast; and comic-strip creators Bill Griffith and Aaron McGruder.

Daniel Merriam in Centre Pressse

2011-08-30T09:07:00.000-07:00

"Jim Henson's Fantastic World" at MoMI NYC

2011-08-24T13:34:00.000-07:00

The Museum of the Moving Image is proud to present "Jim Henson's Fantastic World", on view through January 16th 2012. "Jim Henson's Fantastic World" celebrates the internationally known creative genius Jim Henson, whose work encompassed film, television, and puppetry. The exhibition features over 120 artifacts, including drawings, storyboards, and props, all of which illustrate Henson’s boundless creativity and innumerable accomplishments. Fifteen iconic puppets, including Miss Piggy, Kermit the Frog, Rowlf, and Bert and Ernie, are on view, along with photographs of Henson and his collaborators at work and excerpts from his early projects and experimental films. The exhibition spans Henson’s entire career, with drawings, cartoons, commercials, and posters produced during his college years in the late 1950s and objects related to the inspired imaginary world of his popular 1982 fantasy film, The Dark Crystal (more).

Museum website

Amanda Brisbane Glass Art / Sculpture Online

2011-08-23T12:02:00.000-07:00

See Animazing's beautiful collection of Amanda Brisbane glass sculpture online here

Wayne Anderson at the Chateau de Belcastel

2011-08-22T15:07:00.000-07:00

Artist Wayne Anderson and his wife Jenny at the Chateau de Belcastel, where Anderson's work is currently on exhibition & sale. Tchin-tchin!

Wild New Ways: Maurice Sendak’s Animal Kingdom

2011-08-21T08:49:00.000-07:00

The Rosenbach Museum and Library in Philadelphia, PA is having a unique exhibition to explore Maurice Sendak's inclusion of animals in his works. From pets to mythical beasts, Sendak included animals in nearly all of the 90 or so books he illustrated. The 30 original illustrations included in the exhibition show Sendak's masterful capture of the textures of fur, feathers, and scales in a wide variety of animals. Visit the museum today to be a part of Maurice Sendak's love of animals.

Summer Special | 20% off WB cels!

2011-08-19T11:52:00.000-07:00

Outstanding animation art at very special prices....Call us and we will take 20% off your purchase price.

212.226.7374 or Toll Free 800.303.4848

Original animation cel | Superior Duck | 1996 | Chuck Jones | 12 field cel

Vintage cel | Bugs Bunny The Road Runner Movie |1979 | Chuck Jones | 12 field cel

Original animation cel | Another Froggy Evening | 1995 | by Chuck Jones | 12 field cel

Vintage publicity cel with hand-painted background | 1977 | Chuck Jones | 12" x 9.5"

Vintage cel | Soup or Sonic | 1980 | Chuck Jones | 12 field cel

Exciting news from Bill Plympton!

2011-08-18T08:38:00.000-07:00

1) Pat Smith and Bill Plympton Present: "Festival of DRAWN Animation"!

Are you feeling like a robot after watching too many digital films? Want to see some animation that was actually created by a HAND? Imagine that! A Selection of Drawn Animation AUGUST 14th at the Nitehawk Cinema in Williamsburg (136 Metropolitan Ave). Drinks start at 7pm, screening at 8:30.

CHECK OUT THE TRAILER HERE

2) A Night with Bill Plympton at the Big Screen Plaza | Please join us Monday, August 22nd at 7PM for an outdoor screening of the works of Bill Plympton, past and present. Bill will be debuting a summer-themed short, "Summer Bummer", as well as a new music video for Weird Al Yankovic! Bill will present each film, following the shorts with his classic feature, "The Tune".

Generously hosted by our neighbors, The Big Screen Plaza, the work will screen in a 10,000-sq ft. plaza on a cutting-edge 30x15 ft LED screen. Admission is FREE, and seating is first come, first serve. Not to worry, though, there will be plenty of room for blankets for your movie-night picnic.

Directions can be found here

Amanda Brisbane visits Animazing!

2011-08-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

Amanda Brisbane has crossed the pond!

2011-08-12T11:12:00.000-07:00

Animazing Gallery is excited to present works by England's foremost sand casted glass artist, Amanda Brisbane. These beautiful works are all hand done and manipulated into organic, sinuous forms. Her muted color palette and aquatic forms conjure a peaceful image of coral swaying with underwater currents. Visit now for an exclusive view of Amanda's work!

Daniel Merriam & Casimir Ferrer Radio Interview at Chateau de Belcastel 2011

2011-08-11T12:26:00.001-07:00

Watch it here!

The World of Beatrix Potter™ at the Victoria & Albert Museum

2011-08-11T08:08:00.000-07:00

London - Beatrix Potter was the first fully to exploit the merchandise possibilities of fiction. Peter Rabbit became a popular culture phenomenon twenty-five years before Walt Disney conceived his screen icon, Mickey Mouse. Today, The Tale of Peter Rabbit remains one of the best-selling children's classics of all time and The World of Beatrix Potter™, initiated by Beatrix herself in 1903, is one of the world's largest international literature-based licensing programmes.

Read the full story here

Daniel Merriam, Nicoletta Ceccoli & Wayne Anderson in French Newspaper

2011-08-09T09:46:00.000-07:00

Read it here

Château de Belcastel. De l'heroic fantasy de haute tenue

On dirait du Jérôme Bosch, mais c'est de l'heroic fantasy : les œuvres de Marriam sont à ne manquer sous aucun prétexte.

Les nouveaux propriétaires du château de Belcastel sont des galeristes new-yorkais qui vendent des dessins d'animation et d'illustration. Ils proposent aux petits et grands visiteurs de la forteresse de partager leur art de prédilection, à l'occasion de l'expo 2011 au château de Belcastel. Au menu, quatre artistes et un thème : « l'imaginaire ».

Des dragons stylisés côtoient des fées ambiguës mais toujours avec un coup de crayon qui frise la perfection. L'hôte local, le sculpteur belcastelois Casimir Ferrer présente un Petit Prince qui invite au rêve. La dessinatrice italienne

Nicoletta Ceccoli propose un coup de crayon très proche de celui de Tim Burton, avec des personnages pris dans des postures qui peuvent être vues sous l'œil innocent de l'enfant ébahi, ou du point de vue plus ambivalent de l'adulte. On dirait des personnages de dessins animés. Il ne leur manque plus que la parole. L'Américain Daniel Merriam propose des compositions plus fantastiques et chargées, mais de véritables tours de force esthétiques et graphiques, ciselés au crayon. On tombe sous le charme de ses compositions alambiquées et merveilleuses aux traits précis comme la composition d'un mandala. Donjons et dragons sont au rendez-vous d'œuvres sophistiquées d'heroïc fantasy. C'est à ne rater sous aucun prétexte…

Enfin le Britannique Wayne Anderson offre des réalisations qui sont également des petits chefs-d'œuvre de précision au crayon de papier, toujours avec force donjons et dragons… Son « Typhée à cent têtes » est à voir, tout comme sa sérigraphie spécialement réalisée autour du thème du château de Belcastel.

Exposition visible jusqu'en novembre au château de Belcastel, tous les jours de 10 heures à 19 heures.

Mural by a student of Steve Brezzo

2011-08-09T09:02:00.000-07:00

Steve Brezzo has been been teaching a course on Pop Culture and the History of the Great Comics Brands. One of his students did this immense mural: history of the comics. It's hanging in the university lobby. Pretty cool, huh?

Yoko D'Holbochie exhibition art in progress

2011-08-05T12:42:00.000-07:00

Animazing Gallery is eagerly awaiting our 2012 Goddess-themed event with Yoko D'Holbochie. See a photo of the Artist and a scan of one of her fascinating works-in-progress below, and visit her mainpage on the website for more information.

Animazing Gallery in Aesthetica Magazine Issue 42

2011-08-05T11:02:00.000-07:00

See our upcoming events in the latest Aesthetica Magazine Issue 42, or check out the exhibition lineup on our website!

Video of Chateau de Belcastel Fireworks 2011

2011-08-03T08:59:00.001-07:00

SoHo Blast August 2011

2011-08-02T09:29:00.000-07:00

More here

The William Benton Museum of Art Shows "The Art of Dr. Seuss"

2011-08-02T08:48:00.000-07:00

From Art Knowledge News:

Storrs, CT.- The William Benton Museum of Art is proud to present a retrospective of works by "America's favorite illustrator," a small but comprehensive exhibition of rare original works by Ted Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss. This engaging collection showcases some of his earliest sketches of the Cat in the Hat and Horton the Elephant, and shows how his iconic and beloved characters evolved during his lifetime. The exhibition includes published illustrations, political cartoons, sketches, drawings, sculpture, prints, and whimsical paintings created in the artist’s later years, along with panels, labels and music from some of the most popular animated treatments of "The Grinch," "Horton Hears a Who," “Seussical,” and "Gerald McBoing Boing." The Art of Dr. Seuss brings together loans from private collections and Animazing Gallery in New York. "The Art of Dr. Seuss" is on view at the museum.

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, to Theodor Robert and Henrietta (Seuss) Geisel. Geisel attended Springfield's Classical High School, and entered Dartmouth College in fall 1921 as a member of the Class of 1925. At Dartmouth, he joined the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and the humor magazine Dartmouth Jack-O-Lantern, eventually rising to the rank of editor-in-chief. While at Dartmouth, Geisel was caught drinking gin with nine friends in his room. As a result, Dean Craven Laycock insisted that he resign from all extracurricular activities, including the college humor magazine. To continue work on the Jack-O-Lantern without the administration's knowledge, Geisel began signing his work with the pen name "Seuss". His first work signed as "Dr. Seuss" appeared after he graduated, six months into his work for The Judge where his weekly feature Birdsies and Beasties appeared. Geisel was encouraged in his writing by professor of rhetoric W. Benfield Pressey, whom he described as his "big inspiration for writing" at Dartmouth. After Dartmouth, he entered Lincoln College, Oxford, intending to earn a Doctor of Philosophy in English literature. At Oxford, he met his future wife, Helen Palmer; he married her in 1927, and returned to the United States without earning a degree. He began submitting humorous articles and illustrations to Judge, Life, Vanity Fair, and Liberty. The July 16, 1927 issue of the The Saturday Evening Post published his first cartoon under the name Seuss. He became nationally famous from his advertisements for Flit, a common insecticide at the time. His slogan, "Quick, Henry, the Flit!" became a popular catchphrase. Geisel supported himself and his wife through the Great Depression by drawing advertising for General Electric, NBC, Standard Oil, and many other companies. In 1935, he wrote and drew a short-lived comic strip called Hejji. In 1937, while Geisel was returning from an ocean voyage to Europe, the rhythm of the ship's engines inspired the poem that became his first book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street! As World War II began, Geisel turned to political cartoons, drawing over 400 in two years as editorial cartoonist for the left-leaning New York City daily newspaper, PM.

Geisel's political cartoons, later published in Dr. Seuss Goes to War, denounced Hitler and Mussolini and were highly critical of non-interventionists ("isolationists"). His cartoons were strongly supportive of President Roosevelt's handling of the war, combining the usual exhortations to ration and contribute to the war effort with frequent attacks on Congress (especially the Republican Party), parts of the press (such as the New York Daily News, Chicago Tribune and Washington Times-Herald), and others for criticism of Roosevelt, criticism of aid to the Soviet Union, investigation of suspected Communists, and other offenses that he depicted as leading to disunity and helping the Nazis, intentionally or inadvertently. In 1942, Geisel turned his energies to direct support of the U.S. war effort. First, he worked drawing posters for the Treasury Department and the War Production Board. Then, in 1943, he joined the Army and was commander of the Animation Dept of the First Motion Picture Unit of the United States Army Air Forces, where he wrote films that included Your Job in Germany, a 1945 propaganda film about peace in Europe after World War II, Our Job in Japan, and the Private Snafu series of adult army training films. While in the Army, he was awarded the Legion of Merit. Our Job in Japan became the basis for the commercially released film, Design for Death (1947), a study of Japanese culture that won the Academy Award for Documentary Feature. Gerald McBoing-Boing (1950), which was based on an original story by Seuss, won the Academy Award for Animated Short Film. After the war, Geisel and his wife moved to La Jolla, California. Returning to children's books, he wrote many works, including such favorites as If I Ran the Zoo, (1950), Horton Hears a Who! (1954), Horton Hatches the Egg (1954), If I Ran the Circus (1956),The Cat in the Hat (1957), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1957) and Green Eggs and Ham (1960). Although he received numerous awards throughout his career, Geisel won neither the Caldecott Medal nor the Newbery Medal. Three of his titles from this period were, however, chosen as Caldecott runners-up (now referred to as Caldecott Honor books): McElligot's Pool (1937), Bartholomew and the Oobleck (1939), and If I Ran the Zoo (1950).

Dr Seuss also wrote the musical and fantasy film The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T, which was released in 1953. The movie was a critical and financial failure, and Geisel never attempted another feature film. During the 1950s he also published a number of illustrated short stories, mostly in RedBook Magazine. Some of these were later collected (in volumes such as The Sneetches and Other Stories or reworked into independent books (If I Ran the Zoo). A number have never been reprinted since their original appearances. In May 1954, Life magazine published a report on illiteracy among school children, which concluded that children were not learning to read because their books were boring. Accordingly, William Ellsworth Spaulding, the director of the education division at Houghton Mifflin who later became its Chairman, compiled a list of 348 words he felt were important for first-graders to recognize and asked Geisel to cut the list to 250 words and write a book using only those words. Spaulding challenged Geisel to "bring back a book children can't put down." Nine months later, Geisel, using 236 of the words given to him, completed "The Cat in the Hat". It retained the drawing style, verse rhythms, and all the imaginative power of Geisel's earlier works, but because of its simplified vocabulary could be read by beginning readers. The Cat in the Hat and subsequent books written for young children achieved significant international success and they remain very popular today.

Geisel went on to write many other children's books, both in his new simplified-vocabulary manner (sold as Beginner Books) and in his older, more elaborate style. The Beginner Books were not easy for Geisel and reportedly took him months to complete. Geisel died of throat cancer on September 24, 1991, following several years of poor health, in San Diego, California. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered. On December 1, 1995, four years after his death, UCSD's University Library Building was renamed Geisel Library in honor of Geisel and Audrey for the generous contributions they made to the library and their devotion to improving literacy.

The William Benton Museum of Art has a proud past, a vibrant present and an exciting future. The Benton opened officially in 1967, but its roots go back to the early twentieth century and the days of the Connecticut Agricultural College, which evolved into the University of Connecticut. The building that housed the original Museum was constructed in 1920 and served as The Beanery,? the campus' main dining hall until the mid-1940s. The small, elegantly designed College Gothic structure, with its gracious sculpture garden, is among the core campus buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Museum collection traces its beginnings to College President Charles Lewis Beach who bequeathed his impressive holdings of American art to the University on his death in 1933, along with a trust fund for future acquisitions. It was President Beach's intent that the collection "instill and cultivate an appreciation of works of art in the student body of the College and in such other persons as may avail themselves of said collection." This original collection included works by Childe Hassam, Henry Ward Ranger, Emil Carlson, Charles H. Davis, Ernest Lawson and Guy Wiggins. Since then, the Benton has added works by such renowned artists as Mary Cassatt, Thomas Hart Benton, Fairfield Porter, George Bellows, Rembrandt Peale, Georges Braque, Gustav Klimt, Edward Burne-Jones, Maurice Prendergast and Kiki Smith.

In 1965, Dr. Walter Landauer, an internationally recognized geneticist and professor, gave the University 107 Käthe Kollwitz prints and drawings. In 1966, during the Presidency of Dr. Homer Babbidge, these treasures and the Beach Collection, which by then included works by such well-known artists as Mary Cassatt, George Bellows and others, found a home at the Museum later named in honor of prominent Connecticut Senator and University trustee William Benton. His family generously donated to the Museum some of his sizable collection of Reginald Marsh paintings and works by other important 20th century American artists. Today the Museum has an exceptionally fine collection of more than 5,500 works including paintings, drawings, watercolors, prints, photographs, and sculptures. The future is bright for the Benton with the new addition including the Evelyn Simon Gilman Gallery, new and refurbished galleries and lecture areas, an elegant Members Lounge, Café Muse, and The Store. This expansion serves to enhance the Benton's reputation as a museum of significance, a vital part of the University environment, and an important art venue in the Northeast. Visit the museum's website at ... http://www.thebenton.org

Where the Wild Things Are Art - New Maurice Sendak Acquisitions!

2011-07-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

View the artwork here

Twelve new pieces created by Maurice Sendak in the 1970's, including character designs and concept sketches from projects starring Max & the Monsters from Where the Wild Things Are. Each enchanting drawing is signed by the artist. Please contact your art consultant or call (212) 226-7374 for more information.

2011 Château de Belcastel Fireworks

2011-07-26T11:21:00.000-07:00

A big "merci" to the thousands of friends & tourists who visited Belcastel for the fireworks this season! Animazing Monde d'Illustration is always thrilled to see its home illuminated by the most creative lighting and pyrotechnics around!

Tahiti Taxi

2011-07-20T11:31:00.000-07:00

Last week Animazing Gallery had a special announcement of newly acquired works by Tom Everhart. This group of originals titled Tahiti Taxi is an extension of his Arty-Fact paintings and provides a special look into Tom's life in Tahiti, his favorite place. If you missed Crashing the Party or just love Tom's work, these new pieces are really excellent!

Regal Visitors to the Château de Belcastel...

2011-07-17T01:22:00.000-07:00

We had some impressive canine friends visit the château this Bastille Day weekend--they look like they're having fun don't they?

Breathtakingly Macbre!

2011-07-14T11:32:00.000-07:00

Animazing eagerly presents Wayne Anderson's beautiful and fascinating original works. These works done in colored pencil on paper or vellum will impress you with their skill and beauty. We are proudly holding Wayne Anderson's first ever gallery exhibition, and can't wait to continue working with him in the future.

Oh how time flies!

2011-07-08T11:02:00.000-07:00

In January earlier this year, our friend Toby Froud was featured in an Empire magazine article, "Where Are They Now: Babies Special!" Toby's father Brian, who was the creative director of Labyrinth, cast his son for the part of Toby. He has since followed in his mother's footsteps becoming a puppet-creator, and will be featured in our December exhibition with his father Brian and his mother Wendy. We look forward to seeing young Toby all grown up without all the goblins!

Games Children Play

2011-07-06T10:37:00.000-07:00

On July 13th, Charles M. Schulz Museum will be opening an exhibition, which explores how sports and play are portrayed in PEANUTS. The exhibition will explore early strips showing the Gang baking mud pies and playing cowboys. The museum will feature the "Ha Ha Herman" strips as well as various others depicting objects of play like blocks, and marbles. Over 70 strips will be featured, and the exhibition promises to be something for everyone to enjoy.

Special Surprise Visit!

2011-07-02T10:37:00.000-07:00

Renowned glass artist Andrew Madvin paid us a surprise visit today at Animazing Gallery in Soho. His work is being featured in the gallery this month, and we are running special deals here at the gallery for these beautiful hand blown works.

Wayne Anderson Article in Art Knowledge News

2011-06-28T10:32:00.001-07:00

The Animazing Gallery Presents 'Dragons in the Dungeon' by Wayne Anderson

Wayne Anderson was born in 1946 and studied graphics at Leicester College of Art. On leaving Art College he moved to London in search of work in an Advertising Agency or Design Studio. After a series of interviews it was repeatedly suggested that because of the strong drawing element in his work maybe he should consider re-organising his Portfolio with a view to becoming a Freelance Illustrator. One of his first commissions was to produce a picture on a fortnightly basis for the Clement Freud Cookery Column in the Weekend Telegraph Magazine. This lasted for a two year period and gave him a regular income and allowed him to develop other works and gradually become established as an Illustrator. In 1970 after getting married, he moved back to a Leicestershire village, working from home with a London based Agent. Wayne Andersons images have been used for greetings cards, posters, prints, jigsaws, playing cards, recod and CD covers, book jackets, magazine illustrations, advertising campaigns, animated films, holograms and books. Visit the artists website at ... http://www.wayneandersonart.com

A SoHo landmark since 1984, the original Animazing Gallery in New York offers a unique collection of art that indulges the senses and emotions with color, playfulness and beauty. Paintings, sculpture, American illustration, and vintage animation created by some of the most talented and innovative artists of our time are showcased in our New York gallery and within the exhibition halls of the Château de Belcastel in France. Their artists & studios include Dr. Seuss, Charles M. Schulz, Maurice Sendak, Daniel Merriam, Tim Burton, Tom Everhart, Disney, Warner Bros., Ralph Bakshi, Bill Watterson, D.C. & Marvel Comics, Hanna-Barbera, & many more. Visit the gallery's website at ... http://www.animazing.com/

New Daniel Merriam Limited Edition Artwork Available

2011-06-28T10:14:00.000-07:00

SETTING THE STAGE and DRESS REHEARSAL are now online and available for purchase here. Check out these newest, stunning works by Daniel Merriam.

Congrats to the happy couple

2011-06-24T12:45:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce that Mr Chris Sweis proposed to his lovely bride-to-be in our showroom, and she said YES!

At Long Last...

2011-06-24T11:21:00.000-07:00

We received these beautiful and vibrant Daniel Merriam giclee's in the gallery yesterday, and we can't wait to see their effect on people. The detail and color in these works is unique to Daniel, and the imagery is really whimsical as Daniel always is.

Ralph Bakshi | The London Barbican Art Gallery Presents 150 Years of Animation

2011-06-23T10:15:00.000-07:00

Ralph Bakshi's art from his 1973 film HEAVY TRAFFIC is being used to promote The London Barbican Art Gallery's 150 Years of Animation show. (Courtesy of Art Knowledge News article, below.)

London.- The Barbican Centre is proud to present "Watch Me Move: The Animation Show", on view until September 11th. "Watch Me Move" is the most extensive exhibition ever mounted to present the full range of animated imagery produced in the last 150 years. It brings together industry pioneers, independent film-makers and contemporary artists including Étienne-Jules Marey, Harry Smith, Jan Švankmajer, William Kentridge and Nathalie Djurberg alongside the creative output of commercial studios such as Walt Disney, Aardman, Studio Ghibli and Pixar. Presenting animation as a highly influential force in the development of global visual culture, "Watch Me Move" explores the relationship between animation and film and offers a timely insight into the genre as a cultural phenomenon. Cutting across generations and cultures, the show features over 170 works, from iconic clips to lesser-known masterpieces. Taking the viewer behind the dream-world of the finished film, it includes puppets, stage sets, storyboard drawings, wire-frame visualisations, cel and background images.

Transforming the gallery into an immersive environment, the exhibition is divided into seven interconnected themes: Apparitions, Characters, Superhumans, Fables, Fragments, Structures, and Visions. The first section Apparitions focuses on the emergence of the animated image, from early scientific experiments with photography to computer generated imagery. A pioneer of time-lapse photography, Percy Smith, captures the unseen wonders of the natural world. In The Birth of a Flower,1921, snowdrops and roses blossom in seconds. Speeding up time with his split-second frames photographer Eadweard Muybridge created now iconic images of animals and humans in motion are also on show. Breathing life into static objects, John Lasseter’s first film for Pixar Animation Studios, Luxo Jr, 1986, follows the antics of a small desk lamp, as its elder lamp affectionately looks on. Contemporary artist Christian Boltanski’s Shadow Cinema, 2011, features cut out silhouettes flickering gently on two large lightboxes, reminiscent of the modest graphic origins of animation.

In the 1930s there was a distinct shift from the early experimental animation to a series of cartoons and feature films designed to attract the masses. Characters presents a host of some of the biggest stars of our animated screens – on cinema and TV – many borne of that time and still popular now. They include Mickey Mouse, Koko the Clown, Tom & Jerry, The Flintstones, Yogi Bear, The Simpsons, Nick Park’s Creature Comforts and the celebrated cast of Toy Story. Whether drawn in pencil, cut with scissors, modelled from clay or generated by the click of a mouse, Characters demonstrates animation’s ability to construct strong, funny, emotive and complex personalities. This section also includes less well-known characters, showing the power of animation to convey social and political issues. For example Tim Webb’s award-winning film, A is for Autism, 1992, which combines word, drawing, music and animation by people with autism.

Individuals with extraordinary powers are a staple of post-war animation. Marvel and DC comics elaborated an initial line-up, while a parallel, more diverse roll-call was created by the Japanese manga and anime industries. Superhumans tend to be ordinary humans, who have been possessed or traumatized beyond the realm of normal experience. In "Betty Boop, Ha! Ha! Ha!", 1934, our protagonist accidentally inhales laughing gas causing her whole world to become hysterically alive; in Ralph Bakshi’s ambitious feature "Hey Good Lookin’",1982, the character Crazy hallucinates himself into an orgy of violence and sex during a rooftop shooting spree; whilst the Hulk is an ordinary young man whose body is chemically altered, giving him remarkable strengths coupled with a profound sense of alienation. Other highlights include, "Astro Boy", 1963-66, set in a futuristic city in 2030, featuring the amazing adventures of a child robot with superpowers. Originally created as a manga character in 1952, by the legendary Osamu Tezuka, it captured the imagination of a nation in need of hopes and dreams. People have always told and retold stories, whether real or imagined. The technical and artistic qualities of animation, in all its forms, have made it the ideal medium to interpret myths, fables, fairy tales and other forms of collective story-telling. Fables includes one of the oldest surviving animated feature films,The Adventures of Prince Achmed, 1926, by Lotte Reiniger. Captivating, intricate and beautiful, it features a silhouette technique invented by Reiniger that involved manipulating cardboard cut-outs and thin sheets of lead placed under a camera, then animated frame by frame. In 1937 Walt Disney made history with the release of "Snow White", his first full-length animated feature in glorious Technicolor.

Fragments demonstrates the potential of animation to construct individual stories. The charming simplicity of Belgian artist Francis Alÿs’ "The Last Clown",1995-2000, uses illustrated line and colour wash to create the humorous tale of a lone, thoughtful man walking up a hill who encounters a dog, stumbles, gets his foot caught in the animal’s tail, and falls. Frank Mouris’s Academy award-winning "Frank Film", 1973, cleverly combines thousands of images cut from glossy magazines to create an animated stream of consciousness. The ingeniousness of this film is the dual soundtrack of Mouris’ voice: one an uninterrupted recitation of words, mostly beginning with ‘f’; the other a personal synopsis of his life. Also on show is Tim Burton’s "Vincent", 1982, a six minute stop-motion film about a young boy, Vincent Malloy, who longs to be like the actor Vincent Price (narrator of the film) and is obsessed with the tales of Edgar Allan Poe. Since the earliest days of film, artists have experimented with its most basic properties – form, sound, movement and duration – often for the sheer pleasure of witnessing the results. Structures includes the film "Tango", 1980, by Zbigniew Rybczýnski. A collage of overlapping time and space, it shows individuals entering a claustrophobic room, repeatedly, until it fills with a crowd of people, each seemingly oblivious to their neighbours. "A Colour Box", 1935, is a riot of light and motion whereby Len Lye painted geometric patterns directly onto celluloid, to a soundtrack of Cuban music. Conveying the excitement of possibilities the moving image presents, Lye later adapted the film for the GPO Film Unit to advertise the postal system. Norman McLaren’s remarkable film Neighbours, 1952, uses stop-motion filming with live characters and props, weaving a dizzying visual tapestry in which two neighbours live peacefully in adjacent cardboard house. When a flower grows between their houses, they fight each other to the death over the ownership of the single small bloom.

Visions looks at how animation has taken us into a whole new virtual sphere. Thanks to the breath-taking realism of CGI technologies, and the emotional persuasiveness of new media techniques, this world is now almost inseparable from our own, as the real and the imaginary continue to collude. Disney’s pioneering film Tron,1982, was inspired by the emerging gaming industries, which developed out of the first commercially viable video game, Computer Space, in 1971. Nearly thirty years on, Avatar, 2009, used technologies that were effectively developed games engines, now so sophisticated that virtual characters (derived from motion-capture renderings of real actors) could be made to move as if through real space. RMB City is the online world of Second Life conceived by Beijing artist Cao Fei (aka China Tracy) as a place for participants – currently around 20 million users – to create a parallel reality in which to live out their dreams. A comprehensive programme of events, films and talks also accompanies the exhibition.

The Barbican Centre is the largest performing arts centre in Europe. Located in the north of the City of London, England, in the heart of the Barbican Estate, the Centre hosts classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, film screenings and art exhibitions. It also houses a library, three restaurants, and a conservatory. The London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra are based in the Barbican Centre's concert hall. The Barbican Centre is owned, funded, and managed by the City of London Corporation, the third-largest arts funder in the United Kingdom. It was built as the city's gift to the nation at a cost of £161 million (equivalent to £400 million in 2007), and opened by Queen Elizabeth II on March 3, 1982. The Centre's design – a concrete ziggurat – has always been controversial and divides opinion. It was voted "London's ugliest building" in a Grey London poll in September 2003. In September 2001, arts minister Tessa Blackstone announced in that the Barbican complex was to be a Grade II listed building. It has been designated a site of special architectural interest for its scale, its cohesion and the ambition of the project. In the mid-1990s a cosmetic improvement scheme by Theo Crosby, of the Pentagram design studio, added statues and decorative features reminiscent of the Arts and Crafts movement. In 2005-6, the Centre underwent a more significant refurbishment, designed by architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, which improved circulation and introduced bold signage in a style in keeping with the Centre's original 1970s Brutalist architecture. That improvement scheme added an internal bridge linking the Silk Street foyer area with the lakeside foyer area. The Centre's Silk Street entrance, previously dominated by an access for vehicles, was modified to give better pedestrian access. The scheme included removing most of the mid-1990s embellishments. Outside, the main focal point of the Centre is the lake and its neighbouring terrace. The theatre's fly tower has been surrounded by glass and made into a spectacular high-level conservatory. The Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the City of London's Barbican Library, neither part of the centre, are also on the site. The Museum of London, is nearby at Aldersgate, and is also within the Barbican Estate. Visit the centre's website at ... http://www.barbican.org.uk

Bill Carman has arrived!

2011-06-17T15:26:00.000-07:00

With an upcoming exhibition in October, Animazing Gallery had a special delivery of Bill Carman’s spectacular paintings. Each work has been painted onto copper or wood giving them a unique and delicate feel. Christmas has come early for Animazing Gallery, and here Heidi, Michelle, and Kofi enjoy unwrapping these fantastic pieces.

Brian Froud + Dark Crystal Skeksi Art at Animazing Gallery

2011-06-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

Animazing Gallery enthusiastically welcomed Brian & Wendy Froud to its SoHo showroom in mid-June to prepare the collection for the Gallery's upcoming Froud Exhibition & Sale. Here is Brian posing with one of his original paintings of a Skeksi from The Dark Crystal (1982, Directed by Jim Henson & Frank Oz).

Exclusive Nicoletta Ceccoli Print!

2011-06-15T08:44:00.000-07:00

Animazing Gallery has Nicoletta Ceccoli's new giclée, The Princess and the Prey exclusively. This beautiful painting is also the cover-piece of her lovely book Beautiful Nightmares; only available at AG!

The Princess & the Prey | 23" x 17" | giclée on paper | signed & numbered by the artist

buy it now