Category: Studio Art

Bring Hollywood Home for the Holidays- ArtInsights Film Art Gift Guide

Holiday-guide
Let film art solve the eternal problem of what to get to thrill the movie lovers you love!

The experts at ArtInsights Animation and Film Art Gallery have been building collections, finding special pieces, and inspiring film fans with official studio art by the best movie artists working in Hollywood for over 22  years.  They have the hottest and most exclusive film art perfect for the movie lovers in your life.

CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW TO SEE THESE GREAT GIFT SOLUTIONS!

 

Frozen Film Art Holiday Gift Guide

 

Holiday-SW

 

Holiday-marvel-dc

 

Holiday-Disney

 

Holiday-scifi

 

 

 

Why film art?

Every year we all struggle to find unique or special gifts for the loved
ones in our lives.  Sometimes it feels impossible.  We are all looking to
find something for the husband or wife who has everything, or the kids who
already have a mountain of toys they don’t use, or the family that
deserves something they will all enjoy for a long time.

If any or all the people on your holiday list love movies, there is art
available from some of their favorites. Think of these images created by
the artists who played a large part in the success of these movies:
Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker in a painting by the man who made some of
the saga’s best movie posters, Art with Batman, Superman, Ironman, and
other superheroes by those who influence the look and feel of those
blockbusters, Harry Potter art by the saga’s production designer, or art
from Disney’s Frozen by one of its concept artists, are just a few options
that make for an unexpected and appreciated gift, and can make you a hero
this holiday.

For the family that enjoys watching movies together, or a husband or wife
who has the latest movie screensaver, to the most difficult-to-please teen
or child:
– Film and animation art bring out the budding artist in kids, because it
teaches them art is something they can relate to and connect with.
– For families, shared positive memories of watching movies can be
recreated at home with film art and is one kind of art they can all
appreciate together.

There is official art from the studios and by these filmmakers for as
little as $150 for a limited edition giclee from something like Harry
Potter, The Wizard of Oz, or Frozen, or can be an ultra-exclusive gift for
as much as $60,000 or more for the original art from a movie poster like
Beauty and the Beast or Star Wars or Blade Runner.   It can be easy and
inexpensive, or it can be exclusive and the rarest of the rare.  For every
taste and in every budget, and only a click away online, film art is a
great way to make holiday shopping fun and exciting.

For those who take their movie watching very seriously, there would be
nothing more exciting than having art made by those filmmakers on the
walls.  They are great conversation pieces, instant mood elevators after a
long day, and a visual door to movie memories that inspire the
imagination.

Want to see ALL our offerings by art category?  CLICK HERE

 

ArtInsights Holiday Gift Guide: Art of Star Wars

5 OF THE RAREST & MOST EXCLUSIVE STAR WARS ART IMAGES AVAILABLE TODAY

Guaranteed to put the ‘HO-HO-HOTH’ in the holiday, sending Star Wars fans into hyperdrive, this art by iconic movie poster artist John Alvin will get them right in the geek, making you look Yoda-wise and Jedi-clever.

 Holiday-SW

(click above to see ALL the Star Wars art)

The Cold of Hoth by John Alvin: Giclee on paper $300, estate signed exclusive limited edition for Star Wars Celebration ArtInsights Exclusive

Star Wars: The Cold of Hoth

There Will Be No Bargain by John Alvin: Giclee on canvas estate-signed for John Alvin $595, only 10 available for sale ArtInsights Exclusive

There Will Be No Bargain

 

Episode IV Decade III by John Alvin: Giclee on paper, original commissioned by George Lucas $1200 signed by John Alvin- Extremely limited and an ArtInsights Exclusive

johnalvinepisode

Original art for the Return of the Jedi movie poster, as it was originally called, REVENGE OF THE JEDI created and signed by John Alvin: For those searching not just for droids, but the rarest of the rare!

Revenge of the Jedi comp: McQuarrie

WHY OFFICIAL STAR WARS FILM ART BY JOHN ALVIN?

Have you seen the new top selling book The Art of John Alvin, written by Andrea Alvin?  If you haven’t, go HERE, and order it today!

If you have, “why buy Alvin now” is a question that answers itself.  He has more than 200 finished posters to his credit, passed away in 2008, and is now building new fans all over the world, and adding to his longterm rabid, loyal collectors!

All things Star Wars will only continue to expand in worldwide media reach as the hype about JJ Abrams and his Star Wars VI rises to new froth and drool inducing heights.   All the news may bore the not-so-sci-fi-savvy, but for those who love the series, it is a time of celebration.  There are so many Star Wars related toys and gadgets out there, and your loved one can find those easily enough, but official art by John Alvin, one of the top movie poster artists in film history, actually created for LucasFilm, will get even the biggest fan’s lightsaber glowing a pretty holiday green or red!

ArtInsights Holiday Gift Guide: The Art of Frozen

The Top 10 Hottest Official Limited Editions

Frozen Film Art Holiday Gift Guide

Click above to see all the available art from Disney’s Frozen

There isn’t anything cooler to Disney fans or hotter in the world of Disney collectibles than art from the #1 biggest selling movie of all time for the studio.  For anyone searching for a gift that will still have meaning and bring enjoyment for years to come, especially for kids and teens who LOVE Frozen, and don’t need one more toy, this is the perfect answer!

The loved one or family to whom you give the gift of art, when the art represents something they love like Frozen, will be reminded of you each time they see it in their home!  For more information or advice, give ArtInsights a call.

Here are the 10 best, fastest selling images:

 

(1)

We Only Have Each Other by Tim Rogerson: Available in a hand embellished and signed giclee on canvas for $495

We Only Have Each Other: Tim Rogerson

Click here for the ‘Treasures on Canvas’ edition of  WE ONLY HAVE EACH OTHER for $150

(2)

Memories of Magic by Jim Salvati: hand embellished and signed giclee on canvas for $595

Memories of Magic

Click here for the ‘Treasures on Canvas’ edition of  MEMORIES OF MAGIC for $150

(3)

Snowman in Spring by James Mulligan: ‘Treasures on Canvas’ $150

Snowman in Spring

(4)

Frozen-Sisters by Victoria Ying: Signed embellished giclee on paper for $295

Frozen Sisters by Victoria Ying

(5)

Let it Go by Tim Rogerson: Available in a hand embellished and signed giclee on canvas for $495

Frozen-Rogerson-Let It

 Click here for the ‘Treasures on Canvas’ edition of  LET IT GO for $150

(6)

Elsa’s Transformation, concept work from the film: giclee on paper for $245

Elsa's Transformation

(7)

Arendelle by Rodel Gonzales: Signed embellished giclee on canvas $595

Arendelle

 

(8)

Art Imitates Art by Jim Salvati: Signed embellished giclee on canvas $495

Art Imitates Art

(9)

Letting Go by Amy Mebberson: sold out limited edition on paper $175 (3 in stock)

Letting Go - Amy Mebberson

 

 (10)

The Warmth of Love by Jim Salvati: Embellished giclee on canvas for $595

The Warmth of Love

Click here for the ‘Treasures on Canvas’ edition of THE WARMTH OF LOVE for $150.

…GET THE BEST ART THEY WLL SEE EVERY DAY, AND LOOK LIKE YOU’RE THE QUEEN TO YOUR FAVORITE FROZEN FANS THIS HOLIDAY!

Restoration & Enhancement: Vintage Animation (pt. 2)

bambineedindrestoration

So…to restore or not to restore…and what does a collector need to ask or look for when considering vintage animation art for purchase?   How might the art have been altered or restored?

What to do when a cel is damaged you are considering or gets damaged while on your wall or in your collection?

My opinion on this is that it is absolutely fine to restore cels.  However, the world of animation art needs to set parameters of what is acceptable and it is essential as a part of the “industry” to know BEFORE you buy a cel whether it’s been restored already or not.

IN addition to that, backgrounds created for cels need to have very clearly indications that they are created specifically to enhance the set up, and that they are NOT original from Disney.  This has recently become quite a problem.  When we have a background created for collectors, we have our artists sign the back and the style is about 30 to 40% off from the original style of the actual background, so that it is clearly not from the studio and cannot be passed off as such.  (there have been problems with cels that have “hand prepared backgrounds” being passed off as preliminary or original studio backgrounds in recent auctions)

While the collectors I know are perfectly willing to buy art that has been repaired or even needs repairing, there are often cels that are sold from old collections that have little to no paint and are completely repainted.  As long as the potential collector is aware of that, no harm done.  However, if they are under the impression that the paint is original, that seems disingenuous.  Also, ArtInsights often buys art for more money for the very reason that it hasn’t been touched by restorers.  There are many dealers and collectors buying art for next to nothing and having that art restored, then selling it for less but without stating the art’s history with restoration.

Also, part of “restoration” or “giving the art more eye appeal” may involved adding cels that are not production to a set up that enhances the image.  Now this is not referring to putting together cels that come from different sources, that is perfectly fine.  This is referring to opening up eyes that were previously closed…or adding more to a registered cel to complete a cel where the arm, or half a wing, or whatever, is missing… or adding Tramp to Lady, when the cel set up previously only had Lady there, and the Tramp cel has just been manufactured to add “eye appeal”.   These are all practices that border on fraud.

It is part of the reason ArtInsights sells less animation now, because we’d rather just follow our own rules without calling attention to what any other dealer may or may not be doing.

As a collector, here are some questions you may want to ask when purchasing art, whether from ArtInsights or from another gallery, dealer, collector, or auction house.  While there is no guarantee anyone will be completely transparent, at least you’ll know you’ve asked the right questions… PLEASE REMEMBER to always watch the movie to find the cel therein.  If the gallery or company with whom you are transacting has already done it (which they should have) or knows where in the film the image originates, have them tell show you, and/or reaffirm by watching it yourself.  There are certainly cels that come from cut scenes, or edited scenes, or are more concept than finished, but whoever you are working with should know that and tell you so.

  • Has the art been restored in any way?
  • If so, by whom?  If that is considered proprietary information, at least ask whether it has been restored in gouache or acrylic paint.
  • If restored, was there any line work done?  (the ink line is on the surface of the cel and paint is on the back.  Even very liberal dealer/collectors believe there should be minimal line work done–i.e. outlines repainted–as part of restoration ….At what point does the art lose all original integrity?
  • If restored, was the art trimmed and reapplied to another cel?  Some believe this effects the value, but this is another argument in the animation art world…because “CEL” refers to the whole piece of plastic, not just the part with the character.  When you buy a cel, you are buying the piece of plastic, not just the image of the character.
  • If the restored cel is a Courvoisier set up, or an Art Corner piece from Disneyland, are those aspects of the restored cel being included with the art being purchased?  Make sure the Courvoisier background is original and not fabricated.  There are some that were being briefly recreated through a new license with Disney. I don’t think it’s being done now, but check the provenance of the art to know for sure.
  • If not Courvoisier or Art Corner, and there is a background, is it hand prepared, preliminary, or studio background an original background from the film? (sometimes someone will call a background a studio background because it is FROM the studio, but NOT from the film.
  • If the art is cracked or there is paint separation, can the provision be that if there is further damage it will be taken care of by the company from which you are purchasing the art?
  • Whenever possible, ask for an image of the art before restoration.  This way you’ll be sure to know what’s been done to it, what might have been added, and reaffirm color was reapplied more or less correctly based on the original. (for example, there are scenes of Lady where she is very dark from part of the movie at night and some dealers have had those repainted to a more palatable color, which is not consistent with the original color used in those scenes.  The same goes for Alice’s hair, which is sometimes an odd green color but looks normal onscreen, and almost all of the highlight hair on Peg during “He’s A Tramp”.)
  • Avoid restored limited editions unless you are buying them for nearly nothing, as well as cels that will be restored that have seeping color in the cel, (like the bright pink of the Cheshire Cat) unless you are willing to have the art trimmed to the outline and reapplied to a new cel.

When considering restoration for art you already own, remember to ask these questions:

  • How do you want to have the art restored?  In gouache means it may get damaged again in the same place and in the same way, but it is being done with the same kind of paint as the original.  In acrylic you are restoring it permanently, but it is paint that may not have been used back when the film was being made
  • How long will the restoration take?  Some studios take a LONG time.  Like, years.  Ask for a due date, and have it written as part of the exchange.  If the restoration takes several months longer than that, consider having it returned.
  • Obviously you’ll want to have an estimate given.  Don’t believe there’s only one game in town.  By the same token, make sure you have read or heard good references for the restoration studio you are using.

That is all I can think of at the moment, but it may have confused you.  This restoration business is rather complicated.  It really is a matter, as collector, of deciding what you are comfortable with and knowing what questions to ask and what kinds of restoration you believe acceptable based on the art you’re buying.  Certainly if you are buying a piece that has been almost completely repainted, you should expect to pay way less unless it is the rarest of the rare. (and remember the dealers more prone to hard sell will tell you everything is the rarest of the rare.  RAREST means things like Chernabog, the Queen from Snow White, and things along those lines…but in those cases, you’d better know where the art you are considering has been since the moment it left the studio…)

I hope this information is elucidating and helpful to those of you who love vintage art, and isn’t too discouraging.  To all of us at ArtInsights, we believe you are better off knowing more and being more aware as a collector.  If this leans you in the direction of using us to find your art, so much the better.  We love creating loyal clients.  Even if you never buy from us, at least you’ll go into your own transactions with eyes wide open, and they won’t have been painted that way.

 

 

 

Restoration of Vintage Animation: The Basics pt. 1

In this blog, I’m going to start talking about restoration, my thoughts on it, what sorts of cels need it, and as much information as I can think of to spread around from my opinion and perspective…  As a dealer and lover of animation who has been around the “business” since there were only 5 galleries in the world some 25 years ago, I have certainly seen my share of damaged cels….Here are the categories of cels that need restoration:

  • There are cels that have been left in the closet of a house that has no air conditioning: the worst example of this was a cel of Cheshire Cat where the bright pink paint had seeped into the actual cel, and the paint had melted to make the poor creature look like he’d been smashed to death. Tragic. (No picture. No one needed a reminder of such ruin)
  • There have been cels that are from the era of “art corner”–these are the cels from Disney released at Disneyland–they are put on thin litho copy backgrounds and it is just about inherent to the era that the cels are stuck, often completely, to the background. Many collectors just leave them that way, since anyone who knows what they are looking at will expect the cel to be stuck. Fortunately, a friend devised a way to separate those cels from their backgrounds without destroying all the paint, and keeping the art intact.  YAY!!! He deserves an award! (no, he doesn’t do it for the general public…)
  • There are cels that are painted nitrate cellulose, and that “plastic” shrinks and expands with the moisture in the air and they look all shriveled and wavy. Often the paint cracks off because it is being asked to stay adhered to these wavy pieces of plastic. TOO MUCH STRESS! These pieces are often Courvoisier set ups, which were put together and sold by Disney in the late 30s and early 40s. There are also cels from Dumbo that crack from the kind of paint they used with the elephants. Rare indeed are the cels that are unrestored of the lead character or other elephants from that film.
  • There are cels that are from the 50s from movies where the paint they used is notorious for cracking. An example of this is the white on Alice in Wonderland. Her apron, her tights…these crack very easily. Since Alice and Cinderella fall in between the Courvoisier and Art Corner eras at Disney, they are often just loose cels someone saved. As a matter of fact, there are quite a few that are in perfect condition from that time period that I call “The Secretary’s Era”, because women who worked in the offices there and took art home sometimes painted over the back of the cel where the paint was with clear nail polish. I have never seen pieces that have nail polish with chipped or cracked paint. Those gals knew what they were doing!
  • There are cels that are from when Disney started selling art to the public through what they called “The Disney Art Program”. These cels have seals (a variety of them, actually) but they are often laminated on both the front and the back of the cel. So that means an extra piece of plastic is added on top of the cels with art on them. THESE ARE TICKING TIME BOMBS, says a chemist friend who has been working with restoration experts for longer than I’ve even been around animation.  Why? Because something happens with the chemistry of the paint and whatever they used to seal it all together. I don’t really understand it, but what I DO know is the end result is at some point the cels start getting bubbling, smell weird, and then shrivel up. I have heard of, and a few times seen firsthand that removing the layers on either side of the art saves the inner cel(s), but once it starts bubbling time is of the essence. For this reason I rarely sell cels from between 1971 and 1986 unless I can tell it is laminated only on one side or not at all.
Winnie the Pooh double laminated cel in bad shape...
Winnie the Pooh double laminated cel in bad shape…
Damaged double laminated cel--a rare example of a vintage piece sold from "The Disney Art Program" between 1973-1986.
Damaged double laminated cel–a rare example of a vintage piece sold from “The Disney Art Program” between 1973-1986.
  • Finally, there are cels that are simply not well taken care of–left in houses with extreme changes in temperature, or in a hot car, or in a pile of cels where they all get stuck together. Also, if an extremely hard winter (as we’ve just had on the East coast) has caused sharp changes of temperature and extreme cold, it can mean trouble for a perfect unrestored cel.

Unfortunately, (from my perspective), the world of animation doesn’t see any difference between art that is in original condition and art that’s been restored. This is good news for those who agree with this notion, but those who know me are aware of the fact that I would always prefer to carry and sell art in its original condition. I suspect those from Europe, or at least more often from outside the US, tend to be more committed to finding art that is in good original shape. When a collector with either perspective finds a great image of a key scene or moment from a favorite short or movie, however, if the art is damaged to the point of being visually distracting, restoration often becomes a necessity.

In my next blog, I’ll discuss how to proceed when cels are damaged, at what point a collector might decide restoration is necessary, and where information and help can be obtained.

Postscript: I was searching the web for Courvoisier cels that are cracked but in good condition, and I found no less than dozens of cels that I’ve had for sale and sold at some point, and remember what they looked like at the time, and now they are “perfect”

 

Toby-Bluth

Artinsights Welcomes Toby Bluth

ARTINSIGHTS WELCOMES DISNEY ART DIRECTOR AND ILLUSTRATOR TOBY BLUTH  IN PERSON 
FOR THE PREMIERE OF FIRST ONE MAN SHOW WORLDWIDE
April 18, 2007
 
Toby-Bluth
 
Reston Town Center, VA – ArtInsights Animation and Film Arts Gallery, the only gallery to represent animation and film in Virginia, will be premiering the art of famed Disney illustrator Toby Bluth in a show to open on April 28th with a personal appearance by Mr. Bluth from 2 to 7 pm in their gallery.  On display will be the originals of the first five limited editions released at Disney World and Disneyland, as well as others he created especially this exhibit. 
 
 Mr. Bluth, a long time animation artist of renown who most recently acted as art director for The Tigger Movie and Disney’s The Three Musketeers,  is one of a very few artists selected to represent Disney with limited editions of his art in the Disney parks and galleries around the world, and ArtInsights will be the first to feature him since the release of his art at Disney.  The show will include original watercolors and limited editions and will run through June 4th.
 
“We’re so excited to be premiering the originals for the first limited editions released by Toby”, says co-owner Leslie Combemale.  Included in the show are images of Snow White, Bambi, Dumbo, Fantasia, and other Disney classics, many of which he interpreted for Disney storybooks.  Combemale continues,  “His art is selling so quickly, before we can even frame it for show.   Most of the originals are sold already, but now we’re taking commissions and all the collectors have been willing to let us keep his art for the show.  We had a flood in February and had to be closed for a month, so the success of this show is a welcome part of our reopening.”  The limited editions of the originals are available to have dedicated by the artist at the show, and an original rendering by Mr. Bluth is included with every commission sold during his appearance.   
 
Believing that how one remembers a film is often different from the film itself, Toby Bluth paints what he perceives as the collective memory of the film experience and taps into the emotional essence of the story. Chiaroscuro, the use of deep variations in and subtle gradations of light and shade, especially to enhance the delineation of character and for dramatic effect, is a key component in Bluth’s work. The blue shaded undercoat or chiaroscuro effect that is the genesis of every original, adds depth, life, as well as warm and cool shadows to each scene. He also refers to this process as “painting the light and the air”.  
 
Toby-Bluth-Bambi
 
Inspired by the work of legendary illustrator Gustaf Tengrenn, whom Walt Disney recruited to work on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Bluth is passionate about his craft. A multifaceted artist, Toby’s creative endeavors do not end at the tip of his brush. He is an accomplished writer, director, designer and a veteran of the American musical stage, having performed and or directed in nearly one hundred musicals, both on Broadway and beyond.
 
 
ABOUT ARTINSIGHTS
 
ArtInsights, established in 1994, is a privately owned gallery located in Reston Town Center, in Virginia.  They are doing well with the addition the art of the cinema to their specialization of creating and developing collections of animation art from Disney, Warner Brothers, Hanna Barbera, and all other major studios.  With more than 30 combined years of experience in the animation art field, owners Michael Barry and Leslie Combemale work closely with individuals and corporations to ensure the integrity of their collections.  In addition to being one of only 10 Chuck Jones Signature Galleries in the country, ArtInsights is Virginia’s only animation gallery and is the only gallery in the Washington Metropolitan area authorized to represent Warner Bros. and Hanna Barbera animation art to the public.  They also have exclusive rights to sell original illustrative art by Harry Potter book cover artist Mary GrandPre, and are one of a handful of galleries worldwide authorized to sell originals by famed cinema artist John Alvin, who has created posters and art for over 130 movies including Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. 

 

 

 

HarryPotter-StuartCraig

Harry Potter Film Concept Art for Leakycon

ArtInsights Gallery reveals exclusive new limited edition of Harry Potter film concept art signed by Stuart Craig Potter to enthusiastic Leakycon attendees.
July 13, 2011
 
HarryPotter-StuartCraig
 
ArtInsights, the animation and film art gallery that represents the official art of Harry Potter, announces the release of six new limited edition prints based on concept art for the Harry Potter film series, images designed and and signed by Harry Potter production designer Stuart Craig, and illustrated by concept artist Andrew Williamson.
 
The six images feature Hogwarts Castle, Malfoy Manor, The Weasley Burrow, Harry’s Trial, The Quidditch Tent City, and The Horcrux Cave.  They are in an edition of 250, with the first 50 designated as sets of six.  ArtInsights, located in the Washington DC area, is a  gallery that has been representing Harry Potter art released through Warner Brothers since 2000. These are the first official images to be released from the art department of the film series that have been signed by the production designer.    
 
“I think Warner Brothers now believes that Harry Potter fans can appreciate the importance of the behind-the-scenes artists responsible for the finished look of the film series.” says ArtInsights gallery owner Leslie Combemale, who is showing the new art as part of an exhibit of the official art of Harry Potter at the convention.  “Stuart Craig is one of the few consistent players involved from the beginning of the film series and he, along with producer David Heyman, is due a huge amount of credit for the movie’s beauty, and for its success.
I love that so many Harry Potter fans not only know who he is, but truly appreciate his role in making the films so extraordinary.”
 
HarryPotter-StuartCraig-SetDesign
 
The gallery is also displaying and offering for sale original art used as concepts for the movie poster campaign, as well as limited editions by book cover artist Mary GrandPre, movie concept artist Jim Salvati, and Harry Potter movie graphic artists Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima. 
 
Quidditch World Cup Tents     $375.00
image size: 22″ x 9 3/4″
paper size: 26″ x 13 3/4″
 
Journey to Hogwarts          $375.00
image size: 22″ x 9 1/4″
paper size: 26″ x 13 1/4″
 
Harry’s Trial                           $375.00
image size: 22″ x 9 1/4″
paper size: 26″ x 13 1/4″
 
The Burrow                           $375.00
image size: 20″ x 8 1/4″
paper size: 24″ x 12 1/4″
 
The Horcrux Cave             $350.00
image size: 15″ x 11″
paper size: 19″ x 15″
 
Malfoy Manor                 $350.00
image size: 15″ x 10″
paper size: 19″ x 14″
 
Undoubtedly the tales of Harry Potter and his adventures at Hogwarts comprise some of the most alluring fiction to date.  This fiction has been brought to life onscreen for a new generation of film fans and the last installment is receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews from fans and critics alike.  Stuart Craig, who has received Oscars for Gandhi, The English Patient, and Dangerous Liaisons, as well as numerous English BAFTAs for the Harry Potter series, has been responsible for the entire look of the films, and as part of that has drawn hundreds of drawings to guide the creation of the illustrations by his art department.  
 
These exclusive pieces are an important addition to the collection of Harry Potter fine art images spanning the book series and films that have been previously released.  This film art connects the collectors with the design and development of some of their favorite scenes and moments from the movie series, evoking in the viewer the same excitement that comes from the pen of Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling.  
 
For more information about these exclusive images, visit the ArtInsights website, at

 

HarryPotter-DarkMarkOverLondon

Limited Editions of Harry Potter Film Concept Art

ArtInsights Animation and Film Art Gallery releases exclusive London Studio Tour limited editions 
of Harry Potter film concept art signed by Stuart Craig to American collectors 
July 12, 2012
 
HarryPotter-DarkMarkOverLondon
 
ArtInsights, the animation and film art gallery that represents the official art of Harry Potter, announces the release of new limited edition prints based on concept art for the Harry Potter film series, images designed and and signed by Harry Potter production designer Stuart Craig, and illustrated by concept artist Andrew Williamson.  Originally selected for the opening of the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio Tour at Leavesden, these images are now being released to fans on this side of the Atlantic.  
 
The release includes Making a Great Exit (the Weasley twins flying through the great hall), Dark Mark Over London, Creating Hogwarts & The Black Lake, Creating Hogsmeade, Escape on the Dragon, The Twins Depart, (another great twins piece) and Journey on The Hogwarts Express.  This art has been so popular in London that the Journey on The Hogwarts Express and Dark Mark pieces are already almost sold out.  There has already been much interest and support here as well, as exampled by the fan reaction and sales at the premiere at Leakycon 2012.
 
HarryPotter-EscapeontheDragon
 
ArtInsights, located in the Washington DC area, is a gallery that has been representing Harry Potter art released through Warner Brothers since 2000. These images were hand selected to represent the art of the successful film series at the opening of the Warner Brothers Studio tour London-Making of Harry Potter, and now are available online and through contacting the gallery.  
 
“It is exciting that the film art made available for sale when the Leavesden Studio Tour opened has been appreciated and is being purchased by fans who visit.  Says ArtInsights owner Leslie Combemale,.  “It means film art is being seen more as a real art, not just as a means to an end.  Stuart Craig deserves a lot of credit for the visual beauty and success of the Potter series.  How wonderful that fans obviously not only know who he is, but truly appreciate his role in making the films so extraordinary.”    
 
Undoubtedly the tales of Harry Potter and his adventures at Hogwarts comprise some of the most alluring fiction to date.  This fiction has been brought to life onscreen for a new generation of film fans and the last installment is receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews from fans and critics alike.  Stuart Craig, who has received Oscars for Gandhi, The English Patient, and Dangerous Liaisons, as well as numerous English BAFTAs for the Harry Potter series, has been responsible for the entire look of the films, and as part of that has drawn hundreds of drawings to guide the creation of the illustrations by his art department.  
 
These exclusive pieces are an important addition to the collection of Harry Potter fine art images spanning the book series and films that have been previously released.  This film art connects the collectors with the design and development of some of their favorite scenes and moments from the movie series, evoking in the viewer the same excitement that comes from the pen of Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling.  
 
For more information or more images, visit the ArtInsights website, at

 

johnalvin-bladerunner

John Alvin Originals at ArtInsights

John Alvin Originals CAN BE FOUND AT THEIR OFFICIAL GALLERY HOME!

ArtInsights Animation and Film Art Gallery has exclusive rights to selling all official original art from the estate of John Alvin. If looking for available art through official channels directly from his estate,

please click here to go to this link!

Such great press for The Art of John Alvin! read our ArtInsights blog about it…

by clicking here!

This is the cover of the awesome book releasing from Titan
This is the cover of the awesome book releasing from Titan
Here is the new rehung gallery section, a tiny bit of the original art we have of John Alvin, along with his red shoes
Here is the new rehung gallery section, a tiny bit of the original art we have of John Alvin, along with his red shoes
John Alvin in ArtInsights with members of the Empire...
John Alvin in ArtInsights with members of the Empire…

We at ArtInsights have been proud to be have known John Alvin and are honored to be connected as the official conduit from artist, through his family, to collector. There is a special interaction inherent to the experience of collecting original art, and we believe when movie lovers can enjoy a piece of art by such a renown artist such as John Alvin from any movie on which he created images, they become part of celebrating the important aspect of film history that campaign art represents. Collecting posters is a wonderful thing, but having a piece of art used in the making of the poster is something those who have begun a collection of such can tell you is a truly joyful experience. John Alvin was a lovely man, humble, warm, and kind, who always had time for his fans and blossoming artists. We miss him and are thrilled The Art of John Alvin will create new fans and increase awareness about him throughout the world.

We hope if you are in the Washington DC area or would like to see a collection of original art by John Alvin you’ll come to our gallery where you can see them in person. Thanks for your interest!

Leslie Combemale
ArtInsights Animation and Film Art Gallery

chuck-jones-bugs-bunny

The Chuck Jones Centennial at ArtInsights

Chuck Jones Centennial
Legendary Animation Creator and Director’s 100th Year Begins with an Exhibition at ArtInsights
November 3, 2011
 
chuck-jones-bugs-bunny
 
Reston, VA:  ArtInsights announced today that it was chosen by the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity to be the first gallery in the United States to host an exhibition and sale of original Chuck Jones drawings that celebrates the legendary animation creator and director’s 100th year.  The exhibition is called Chuck Jones: An Animation Legend Turns 100. It will open to the public on Sunday, November 5, 2011 from 2 to 5 PM with special guest, Craig Kausen, Chairman of the Center and Chuck Jones’s grandson.  “We have Chuck Jones exhibits opening this year at the Port of Portland’s International Airport that will be viewed by nearly one million travelers as well as at the Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus, Ohio,” said Craig Kausen, “and we could not have thought of a better gallery than ArtInsights in which to launch my grandfather’s centennial celebrations with this important exhibition of original drawings from his amazing career.”  Also as part of the opening, a presentation called Chuck Jones: Fabulous Firsts will be shown as part of the new Washington West Film Festival on Friday November 4th at 6:30 pm at the CIT Center for Innovative Technology in Herndon.
 
Jones, one of the fathers of Bugs Bunny and the creator of such iconic cartoon characters as Wile E. Coyote, Road Runner, Pepé le Pew and Marvin Martian, was born in Spokane, Washington, on September 21, 1912.  The four-time Academy Award recipient, including a Lifetime Achievement Oscar in 1996, enjoyed a seven decade career in animation and fine art, beginning in 1932.  His life and life’s work spanned the history of animation, from the first tentative steps of Gertie the Dinosaur, animated by Windsor McKay in 1912, to the brilliant CGI (computer generated imagery) of John Lasseter and Pixar Studios.  
 
At the core of his work and life, and the one aspect of his success that speaks most clearly to artists today, was his love of drawing.  Jones, even into his 80’s, wondered at his luck to have found a job during the Depression that paid him to do what he loved most and that was to draw.  “Chuck’s drawings have always held a special place in my heart,” commented Leslie Combemale, owner of ArtInsights, “his line coupled with his great wit make for remarkable original works, works that can and should be cherished by collectors of film art as well as those whose collections are focused on the great masters of 20th century figurative painting and drawing.  I am thrilled to be the first art gallery to host this important exhibition and sale.”  
 
The Chuck Jones Centennial Celebrations will include a revamped version of the multi-media extravaganza “Bugs Bunny at the Symphony” created and conducted by George Daugherty, with planned appearances at Wolf Trap and the Kennedy Center in 2012 as well as with other notable symphony orchestras around the country.  The Center is working with its local Congressman in the hope that United States Congress will designate Jones’s birthday as National Chuck Jones Creativity Day in 2012.  
 
Art Insights is located just outside of Washington, D.C. at 20907 Medinah Court, in Reston Town Center, Virginia.   The gallery presents the most important works of art from the 20th century film art genre, including original art from the masters of film and moving entertainment.  From film campaign artists to matte painters, from concept and layout artists to animators, ArtInsights represents the giants of film art history.  Artists represented include Chuck Jones, John Alvin, Maurice Noble, Bill Melendez, Lawrence Noble, Jim Salvati, and many other artists made famous by their work for Disney Studios and Warner Bros.   For more information please call the gallery at 703-478-0778.  
 
A complete biography of Chuck Jones, images for print or web use as well as interview opportunities with Craig Kausen are available upon request.   

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Celebration 5

Monday, August 9, 2010

 

Today Michael and I are running around like lunatics getting ready to drive to Florida to take part in our 3RD convention this summer, Star Wars Celebration 5.  

 

For those of you who have been sleeping inside a Tauntaun for the last 30 years, it’s the anniversary of Empire Strikes Back this year, since it was released in 1980…

 

So for the 5th official time on US soil, LucasFilm is throwing a con/party to celebrate, and all manner of cool geekasm inducing doodads and thingimajigs are being offered for sale exclusively there–and as you may have seen in my “Instant Insights” section of our webmagazine site, George Lucas will be there being interviewed by Jon Stewart as “The Main Event”.  

 

What the jabba the hut will we be doing there?  We will have a booth offering the official art of Star Wars–that is to say the art that was commissioned by LucasFilm for use as posters, books, limited editions, etc., by artists who have been working for them– some since the movies were released, some who have only recently been interpreting the stories…

 

star.jpg

 

The coolest things about our being there:

 

  1. we will be representing the art of John Alvin.   If you don’t yet know who he is, check out our fan site at www.johnalvinart.com or see him on imdb.  you can also read all about him and his importance to the history of Star Wars and film in general at rebelscum.com, where i did an interview with Andrea Alvin, his wife, who will be there with us to meet John’s fans and help carry on his legacy by displaying all his gorgeous original work from Star Wars still on the market (not much!) and some from other films too!  I am completely honored to be representing John’s original art worldwide and also honored to have an exclusive limited edition of the art he painted as he was contemplating what he would do for an official poster for C5, which he was asked to do before he passed away unexpectedly.  We don’t have much of his art on our site yet, because our new one is SO new, but i can send pictures when we get back if anyone is interested in what might still be available for purchase at that time.  The limited edition is $150 and there are only 100 of them.  There are also some new limited editions of his work at the Acme booth…
  2. We got art from Randy Martinez, who will be at our booth during the con every day, and his work is gracing every promo, every event poster, magnets, postcards, even a beachtowel.  His work melds Star Wars with Florida life, and Steve Sansweet, who KNOWS his art, bought some of the originals.  We’ll have most of the others there!  We love Randy, and Randy was a close friend of John Alvin’s, so there’s definitely some symmetry there.  
  3. We got art by William Silvers and Christian Waggoner (#1 most collected limited edition artist for LucasFilm official art!) of Star Wars imagery, and it’s the first time anyone who wants to buy art by those artists have had access to it, because George buys almost everything they’ve ever done.  Finally we’ve gotten access to a few!!  First time ever, so even for those who can’t afford it, it’ll be exciting to see them in person.  Christian will be there, and he promises to come by our booth from time to time!
  4. We get to have access to all the special items available at the Celebration store–like the Wampa with detachable arm and the Eau Lando–want to see what they’re selling?  GO HERE.
  5. Little did we know when we signed up to be part of Celebration that we get passes to “The Main Event” with George and Jon by having a booth.  Otherwise we’d have to stand in line starting the night before–(and don’t think we wouldn’t!) Oh BOY!!!!
  6. We just found out some special guest is coming to the exhibition hall early on Friday morning and “it would behoove us to be there, because we don’t want to miss it”…???  The anticipation is killing us!  We’ll keep you posted…

 

We are very excited.   More updates soon, on this blog…Wish the force being with us!!!

 

Leslie and Michael

 

Infinitus

Friday, July 16, 2010

 

Here at Infinitus it’s like MAGIC!  Time stands still.  In good ways and in bad ways…

We are here from ArtInsights at the Harry Potter convention Infinitus at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  There are 2700 convention attendees of the best fans in all fandom!

 

Two days before we (my little sister Coco and I, who drove from Washington DC) got here, we were framing like lunatics (or should i say Michael was!), writing press releases, making sales from our “Marvel vs. DC” show, figuring out what to wear in the Florida heat/convention air conditioning, making up price lists, and of course, despairing of ever seeing the official art we got for the show–which was with Mary GrandPre to be signed, having just been printed and given the go ahead–

 

but wait.  let’s rewind…

 

We have been working on finding something super special for this convention, partly because i had made such great friends and clients last year, partly because it was the opening of Wizarding World only a tiny bit before (on June 18th, the day Michael and I got married, we like to think the opening was in honor of our wedding!) and we’d been working for some time on it.  Through a series of happy coincidences and friendships we discovered Tommy Lee Edwards had some original art he’d done for the 1st movie, which is just about unheard of!  So I planned a trip to his house so i could see the art in person, and wound up loving him and his family (actually a prerequisite for my selling art in my gallery…no matter how awesome it is.)  So he said I could take it, trusting i’d find the right people to sell it to–they had to be real fans!

 

So we had some really special art tucked away–which turned out to be a good thing when the art we were expecting to get in time for the show got pulled so they could release it at the movie premiere!  Oh, well…Back to begging and pleading for something –one piece–we could release as a special image for the HPWW opening.  Enter my friend at Clampett Studios (who is connected with Warner Brothers) and her saying “well, there’s this one piece, but it doesn’t have a character in it.” 

 

I got a bit hopeful said “send it along and let me see it, i’m sure it’s lovely!”  Sure enough, she sends it, I see it, and–in the words of a Potterhead, “SQUEE!!!”  (that means, wow, cool!  it’s the sound of a tweener shrieking…) 

 

I WAS SO EXCITED!  and really honored that i got to actually get a piece for Infinitus.  It means Warner Brothers, or at least Ruth Clampett, believes in the value and importance of the Harry Potter fans.  Enough that they would put out a special piece for 1. the opening of Wizarding World and 2. Infinitus.  

 

So…between the art we got from Tommy and the special Mary GrandPre art, we decided to drive down to Florida instead of flying (because you can lose it, and it is insured, but we want them in the hands of fans, not in some baggage claim!!)

 

We are having an amazing time, and the fans are incredible, and i’ve met and now INTERVIEWED!! Christian Coulson (Tom Riddle and tons of great English tv/film/and he’s also an amazing) have seen Chris Rankin again, (lovely as usual) met this awesome gal who represents Jim Dale (voice who read the HP books, amazing guy) and aforementioned awesome gal shows up this morning with gorgeous hand painted HP shoes to see the gallery.  

 

Interviewed Chris Rankin about the 7th movie and his future plans.  He’s been wonderful here, fans love him!  As to Christian Coulson…pretty.  which belies the brains that noggin houses…hardly seems fair.

 

The special piece has been selling like crazy and today has been brisk for not only it but all of Mary GrandPre’s limited editions and some lovely originals by Tommy Lee Edwards have found happy homes!  if any of you are interested in the special Hogwarts piece, email me at artinsights@gmail.com, because you’ll have to be added soonish to make sure you get one!

       

 

LukeVaderReflect

A Galaxy of Star Wars Art

Star Wars original art, a galaxy not so far far away…
 
Such a crazy series of events led me to Celebration 4, i couldn’t explain it if i tried.  Suffice to say it resulted from some Shakespearean drama between me and one of the wholesale companies i worked with.  However it happened, i wound up there.  And the beauty of it is, i met one of my favorite people in the world, Mark Chiarello, while is was there, who has become a close friend and artist client of mine (check out his website www.markchiarello.com)  Most of my time at C4 was spent with my close friends John and Andrea Alvin.  John, who had done over 200 movie posters and was already very famous for them, was promoting the official C4 poster, which he had done, and a Star Wars limited edition he had done for the event.  We had such fun together, and spent time with Tsuneo Sanda, another Star Wars artist, and up and comer Randy Martinez, who had created the other official C4 poster, and who is now also a close friend of mine, and whose original art i represent exclusively.  I also met his gal pal partner Denise Vasquez, who is a gazillathreat, visual artist, actress, musician, philanthropist–(check out her site www.denisevasquez.com) Both of them are now creating great Star Wars art and now Randy is creating one of the official Star Wars posters for C5!

 

 

LukeVaderReflect

Meanwhile, it occurred to me that it might be an exciting and good idea to have a booth where fans and collectors of John Alvin’s art could come during C5 and meet and talk to Andrea, John’s wife, and see the last of John’s Star Wars art that is available for sale.  Andrea and I have come together in partnership to support and promote the legacy of John’s work, and part of that is to meet, greet, and sell to his Star Wars fans who have been so good to him.  

 

Let me tell you about Star Wars fans…You who have read my blogs know that I absolutely LOVE the Harry Potter collectors and fans.  They are an erudite, enthusiastic, gracious, and articulate bunch.  Well, the same goes for the hardcore fans of the Star Wars movies.  Of course, both have two sets of collectors, the ones without two dimes to rub together (often young, and in the case of Star Wars, sometimes basement dwellers) that are genuine and love the properties wholeheartedly, and the ones that own or work for huge computer companies, or build the space station, or solve the quandaries of astrophysics etc, who buy the big ticket items, travel to the European cons, and write blogs that are read worldwide (HP blog writers, you know who i’m talking about!) Of all the collectors in the worlds of collecting, and I know most of them, Harry Potter and Star Wars are two of the very best most loyal fan-bases.  Given that, and my own love of those two sagas,  it was only natural that i would build a clientele for original art from those properties.  From Harry Potter, i’ve been able to uncover the most beautiful art created for both the books and the movies.  For Star Wars, I have found the same is true, with one very interesting wrinkle…Let me tell you what is special about the art of Star Wars…

 

George Lucas. 

 

Seems kind of obvious, i guess.  George Lucas is the reason Star Wars exists.  But in the world of art, especially Star Wars art, he is way way more.  Let me explain.

 

George Lucas buys art.  Not just a little bit of art.  98% of the art.  Even though there are laws against such things, LucasFilm has set something up where if you are an artist who wants to work for LucasFilm, whenever you create art for the franchise, you have to offer your original art to George first.  And George, as you may guess, has a bit of cash.  There are artists, really famous Star Wars artists, who have sold almost everything to him.  Which obviously is kind of awesome.  He supports artists!  

 

But that also means there is very little original art available for the fans.  The deal is, if you create art for LucasFilm in any capacity, you must offer George the first opportunity to buy the original art.  As a result, Tsuneo Sanda, Christian Wagonner, William SIlvers, and many other amazing artists, are very hard to get Star Wars art from, unless the LucasFilm budget has been exhausted at exactly the right time!

 

There is also a very interesting disparity of pricing and popularity between the big daddies of Star Wars art, and the artists that sell their art for nearly nothing.  Obviously everyone wants to create Star Wars art.  So lots of newcomers will create art for nearly nothing.  They create art for sketch cards and sell them online for $100 or $200 or less.  It would take a savvy art collector indeed to be able to decipher who out of that collection of artists might become one of the big daddies over time!  Gratefully for Randy Martinez, and a few others, they have jumped from one to the other, not a little because of George’s interest in their original art!

 

The way LucasFilm has set up the creation of art, if an artist wants to continue working for them, they can’t create art outside of sanctioned images commissioned by LucasFilm.  If they starts doing original commissions and LucasFilm hears about it, they’ll never work for them again.  Great motivation to stay in line! 
 
Jedi

 

And.  Seriously.  What can be better than knowing George Lucas, who created Han Solo, Leia, Jabba and Yoda, would want the art that was inspired by those creations?  

 

It’s not like there isn’t good art available.  Our friends at Acme (you can buy the art online on our website under “cinema, star wars”) have created some great limited editions based on the art George was most excited about.  But the original art–good original art by the artists George collects–that’s hard to get.  

 

That’s why we’re so excited.  We have struck a deal with those artists to sell their art, whatever George and his crew decline, however temporary, to the true and faithful Star Wars fans/hopeful art collectors.  And we’re getting more and more artists all the time.  So.  If you are a fan of Star Wars…give us a call, or stay tuned, because by the time C5 rolls around in August we are going to have emassed quite the awesome collection of original Star Wars art.  
 
Luke on Tatooine

 

We’ll be at Celebration 5 with Andrea Alvin, John Alvin’s wife and artistic partner, and with Randy Martinez, and who knows who else in the world of Star Wars art, and even now we are pulling together gorgeous original art that spans the spectrum of the Star Wars universe.  

 

If you don’t know who Boba is, this isn’t for you.  But if you know an X wing from a Tie Fighter, if you know Tatooine isn’t something you do as a drunken sailor on leave, if Salacious Crumb is more than a breakfast coffee cake…we might be able to hook you up…

 

Yoda

 

Stay tuned.  As usual, we have a plan…and the force is strong with this one…

 

Leslie
ArtInsights

A Valentine to the Potter Fans

Azkatraz, my trip deep into Harry Potter fandom.  I’m still having delightful flashbacks…

 

Ah, Harry Potter.  I thought i knew you….I’ve read all the books, more than once, I know all the art, the mythologies around the books and their creation, and i myself was a “professor of the magical arts” at one of the midnight book releases..Mind, I’m no “Pottaskalla”….but I’ve seen the kids waiting in line, met many collectors, I even went to last years Harry Potter convention, “Portus”…i was only there for about 36 hours, which was just enough time to meet a few fans, see a few costumes, and mock the seriousness and intensity of the few panels and seminars i heard were taking place while i was there…Grab your wands and pointy hats and let me take you to the “Hogwarts School of Harry Potter fandom”…. This June, I actually  got to go to a preview even before the movie premiere in NYC, and took part in interviews of some of the actors, movie industry insiders, and fans who make the franchise what it is.  So I got a taste of the enthusiasm of the fandom first hand.  I stood in the same line the fans were in (while my partners in crime were on the red carpet, I stood behind the barriers and interviewed the fans, 3 of whom had gussied up in hopes of making it into the premiere! aaah, youthful optimism.  They didn’t get in, but I was rooting for them!) 

 

Little by little I was being ushered into the “Hogwarts banquet hall” if you will.  I have said the Harry Potter fans have always been my favorite to deal with.  and really, that’s saying something.  I include my Star Wars collectors, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Vintage Disney, Warner Brothers….etc.  All of which have something to recommend them, but the Harry Potter fans have always been literate, astute, glompy (that, my uninitiated friends, means those who hug you so hard in their enthusiasm they knock you down) and no matter how much or little money they have, they’ve always appreciated the art of Harry Potter.  I’ve sold many reasonably expensive HP pieces to teachers, teenagers, and retired folks on a tiny budget–They’ve driven me–in their appreciation and by their desire to own a bit of HP art–to new concepts on layaway!  So when I was asked to present “the official art of Harry Potter” at this year’s Harry Potter convention “Azkatraz”, I thought i had some idea what i was getting into…I thought I knew Harry, but i was in for a rude disapperation–or rather, a fantastic experience of open mindedness and unmitigated joy.  

 

First off, my friends at Clampett gave me a worldwide exclusive premiere of two pieces by Mary GrandPre, and they happened to be the most beautiful pieces, my favorites they’d ever released.  Secondly, my friend Jim Salvati, who had worked on several of the movies, had offered me some original paintings he made while the movies were in production.  He called it “analog art”.  You see, they don’t really use physical paintings in movie production anymore.  It’s a dying art.  So that was cool.  And then they were releasing these freaky movie still images with special mats of 10 of the major characters from the movies right in time for Azkatraz. So I was bringing pretty good game.  (kinda had to, since they had made me a guest of the convention, my first time guesting!!) 

 

I arrived, after having corresponded with a variety of the volunteers who were involved in putting the con together.  Stina was guest coordinator, Heidi was a major orchestrator of the con as a whole, Gwen had been making the physical event actually happen in real time, and Flourish was the coordinator of the panels and seminars.  Those are just a tiny few of the folks who put the event on and made it fun and exciting for the 1000 or so fans who came.  I cannot believe the hard work these people did out of love of Harry Potter!  They were awesome! There’s this thing called shipping.  or slash.  which is when characters who don’t belong together in what they call “canon” (ie the actual collection of books) get together.  It’s the job of the “fanfic” writers, of which there are many, some of which are FAMOUS in the HP world,  to make the pairing make sense.  The biggest group is called “Snarry”, followed closely by “Drarry”.  That’d be Snape/Harry, and Draco/Harry.  (hence the name “slash”) Before you get all oogie and click away, they actually make it work.  They even make Draco/Hermione work.  Now THAT’S a stretch!  (ummm, unlike the other two?) There’s tons of art relating to the slash too, and there were many meet ups and seminars about it as well.  A friend of mine who’s a fan of slash recommended the following to me, i haven’t read it yet, but you can check it out if you’re curious…supposed to be great…read at your own risk! http://www.swish-n-flick.net (site has since been erased) This may seem really weird to you, but let me relay a story that i hope puts all of it in perspective…

 

I live in DC.  We have a fairly strong gay community here, but as with many other parts of the country, that community has to constantly take a stand to work towards equal rights.  I spent almost a week with a bunch of folks that never brought up whether they were gay or straight.  I became pretty good friends with one gal who I only found out was gay the last day I was there.  It never came up, and never needed to.  Deep in the fandom of HP, that’s the way it is.  Maybe because in the books the sexuality of the characters has never mattered, it doesn’t matter in the fandom either.  One guy I met explained it by saying in the HP world, everyone wizard and witch gets a wand.  There’s automatic equity between the sexes.  You feel this most definitely in the fandom.  There are also way more strong opinionated and independently minded women in the Harry Potter fandom as well.  People of all shapes, sizes, and opinions are welcome there.   That’s not to say there isn’t dissent!  Many of the panels and seminars get quite heated!  Don’t mess with these fans’ opinions and perspectives on “canon” unless you can back up your own!  

 

Then there’s the wizard wrock. This is music by bands who write songs in which there is always a reference to something in the Harry Potter world.You, not being HP, would NOT BELIEVE the seriousness and passion the fans of these bands have.  They are HUGE stars in the HP world.  There was an article on the front of the arts section of USA Today featuring the biggest bands in wizard wrock.  Harry and the Potters, Draco and the Malfoys, Remus and the Lupins, the Ministry of Magic, and the House of Black are some of the biggest names.  I went to a “slumber party” where several of the bands played acoustically and their fans knew every single word of every song.  If these musicians want to have squeeing girls falling all over them, they’re in the right business!…

 

They all seem nice enough, and they are no doubt really true fans of the books–many of them are serious classically trained musicians who just want to bring together their love of music and their love of the Harry Potter story.  When I got to talking to them, and they discovered i was a musician, they all said i HAD to start a wizard wrock band…   what do you guys think?  Should i start “Luna and the Lovegoods”?  (is there really any other name?) more info on wizard wrock at: 

http://wizrocklopedia.com/bands/band-listings

 

So how did i do, you might ask?  We wrocked! (sorry…)  I’m happy to say we sold a bunch of stuff, (helping us in making July our best month ever in business!) and whether folks bought or not, they loved the display, and apparently learned some stuff in my talks.  I love that we sold a lot of art there, because it means they really appreciated the images and connected to them-and also we are now giving a percentage of the profits to Kids Need To Read charity–It was funny in my display i kept having the Snape folks and the Defense against the Dark Arts folks coming by asking why i’d put the Snape image in the front and Dumbledore in the back, or vice versa…I just said the Snape fans scared me more!  

 

I should mention some of the other presenters… Lev Grossman, who reviews books for Time Magazine and who’s become a friend, and is lovely!  (shameless plug alert!  check out his new book “The Magicians”–getting awesome reviews, yea, Lev!), Henry Jenkins, who teaches at MIT, and has been at the forefront of comparative media studies and international transmedia–meaning all the cross pollenating of media outlets like web, print, tv, etc., and how it has effected news and entertainment–sounds dry but he was amazing!  (check out his blog…www.henryjenkins.org ) Chris Rankin, who plays Percy Weasley in the Harry Potter movies, and is delightful–he is going to be a great movie producer one day, i predict.  He made me one of his twitterbuddies, and the next day i got tons of HP fans as followers…I’m thinking, really?  Will i get that kind of reaction if the Dalai Lama and i tweetfriend? 

 

That boy is FULL of great stories and has a huge sincere and kind heart, you could do worse than fancrushing him…There were many other really cool presenters, like Eddie Newquist,  who talked about his role in developing the hugely successful new Harry Potter exhibit about to go to Boston from its first stop in Chicago.   For more info on who was there and what they did, or if you want to find out about next year’s convention at the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Florida, check out www.infinitus2010.org

 

If you’d like to hear me playing Lucius Malfoy in a Harry Potter fanfic podcast, check it out on itunes under spellcast summer: Live from Azkatraz. (oh, the humanity!…) I’m heartened to see such an enthusiastic and open group of people of all ages getting together and celebrating the books that have brought them so much joy, and was honored to be part of it even for just a few days.  I made some life long friends (you know who you are!!!) and felt respected and appreciated in the art we represent, which isn’t always true…

 

I absolutely loved being where one set of books brings together freaks, punks, brainiacs, and every other would be clique cliche into one big literary lovefest. The Azkatraz premiere of Half Blood Prince, –seeing the movie with the biggest fans is the way to do it!! Leslie and Chris Rankin, such a nice fellow! The “art of storyboarding” workshop i had the hubris to lead…but it was great and so much fun! Deb and Denise from Kids Need to Read and I at the ball.  They were wonderful and are now new great friends of mine! 

 

We made $1700 in the auction for them and a bunch from our sales throughout the convention! Erin Pyne and I at my little exhibit of “official Harry Potter art”…I know I’m wearing a snakeskin pattern but I’m not Slytherin, I’m Ravenclaw! Or as i found out at the con, i’m Griffinclaw.  (that’s when someone fits right in between two houses.)  

cindy cover

Great Retta Scott!

     cindy cover

 

Such a gorgeous collection of art, had to put it up here and show it.  It is impossible for me to get anything cooler or better–but i dare the universe to try! 

 

I got all this art as one collection, and it is all done by Disney Legend, Retta Scott!  (I had the Cinderella storybook as a kid, and it’s pretty much the holy grail of Disney storybooks.  I know that’s inside Disney, who knew this companion book was floating out there just waiting for me to find it and send it to an appreciative home!) HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY THESE.  I love my gallery and I love my JOB! 

 

IMG 9021

 

HERE’S SOME INFO ON RETTA, THE ARTIST OF THE COLLECTION… 

Retta Scott (23 February 1916 – 26 August 1990) was an American artist. She is notable as the first woman to receive screen credit as an animator at the Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Scott was born in Omak, Washington. She graduated from Roosevelt High School (Seattle, Washington) in 1934. She received an academic scholarship from the Chouinard Art Institute, so she moved to Los Angeles, California. She spent much of her free time sketching wildlife at the nearby Griffith Park zoo. Her ambition was to mold a career in Fine art.

 

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As she readied to complete her Institute training, the Institute’s director encouraged Scott to apply at Disney Studios. She was hired in 1938 and assigned to the Story Department, where the ambitious Bambi project was being developed. Her stunning sketches caught the eye of Disney himself, so when the film went into production she was assigned to animate scenes of hunting dogs chasing Bambi’s mother. This was a significant coup for the young woman, since at the 1930s-era Disney studio, women were considered only for routine tasks: “Ink and paint art was a laborious part of the animation process, and was solely the domain of women.” She worked under the film’s supervising director, David D. Hand, and was tutored by Disney animator Eric Larson.

 

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After Bambi, Scott contributed to Disney features Fantasia, Dumbo, and Disney’s version of The Wind in the Willows, which was shelved due to World War II and released in 1949 as part of the film The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad. In addition, Albert Becattini’s website of animator credits lists her as an animator on the 1942 Donald Duck cartoon releases Donald’s Snow Fight andDonald Gets Drafted, along with an unnamed Goofy short (1945). Retta appears on-screen in the Disney live-action studio tour film The Reluctant Dragon, alongside other Disney animators such as Wolfgang Reitherman in the portion of the film where Robert Benchley tours the Disney Studio’s life-drawing classroom (where the model that day happens to be an elephant). Retta presents Benchley with a caricature of himself as an elephant. She was laid-off from Disney during a periodic studio downsizing in late 1941, (partially as a result of the infamous Disney animators’ strike in the summer of 1941) but was rehired by the Disney Studio in 1942 to work in the Story Department. Retta Scott left Disney in 1946 and moved to the East Coast, where she continued to freelance, illustrating Disney publications such as the Big Golden Book edition of Disney’s Cinderella. She remained active as an illustrator for many years and returned to film animation with The Plague Dogs, directed by Martin Rosen, released in 1982. Around that same time in the early 1980s she also worked for the animation studio founded by Bud Luckey, The Luckey-Zamora Moving Picture Co. in the San Francisco Bay area. That studio later became a part of Colossal Pictures, and Luckey later became part of Pixar.

 

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Some writers have occasionally confused Retta Scott with another Disney artist with the first name Retta, Retta Davidson , who worked at Disney from 1939 through 1966.

 

Scott merited a chapter in The Little Big Book of Disney (“Retta Scott: Beauties and Beasts”, pp. 303-319) by Monique Peterson, and also a chapter in Walt’s People – Volume VIII (“Retta Scott”) by Didier Ghez.

 

 

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FROM HER DISNEY LEGENDS PAGE:
Retta Scott (Animation)
Inducted 2000

Though Retta Scott’s career at Disney was brief, she left an indelible mark as the Studio’s first woman animator, receiving screen credit on the 1942 classic “Bambi.”

As “Bambi” former supervising animator Frank Thomas recalled, “Retta had an astounding ability to draw powerful animals. She seemed to have a keen understanding of their moods and attitudes.”

 

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Born in Omak, Washington, on February 23, 1916, Retta graduated from Seattle’s Roosevelt High School in 1934. She moved to Los Angeles to attend Chouinard Art Institute on scholarship and spent much of her free time sketching wildlife at the nearby Griffith Park Zoo.

 

While her heart was originally set on a fine arts career, the school’s director encouraged Retta to apply at Disney, and in 1938 she joined the Story department working on “Bambi.” Her stunning story sketches and character development caught the attention of Walt Disney and director Dave Hand, so when the film went into production she was assigned to animate scenes featuring hunting dogs chasing Bambi’s mother.

 

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As she recalled, “I developed the hunting dogs into vicious, snarling beasts…running and scrambling, trying to climb the cliff and sliding back ….”

After “Bambi,” Retta worked on “Dumbo,” and the weasels in the Wind in the Willows segment of “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.” In 1941, she appeared in Disney’s feature film “The Reluctant Dragon,” starring Robert Benchley.

Later that year, when the Studio hit a slump, she and other artists were laid off. Retta returned to Disney’s Story department in 1942, when the Studio was producing U.S. military training films during World War II. Four years later, she resigned from Disney to move east with her husband, a U.S. Naval officer.

 

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She continued to contribute to Disney as a freelance artist, illustrating “Cinderella” (A Big Golden Book) and “Cinderella Puppet Show,” published in 1950. The cover of the “Cinderella” Golden Book was released by Disney Art Classics in 2000, as a color serigraph with gold enhancements, under the Art of Disney Storybooks line.

 

Creative Director of Disney Publishing Worldwide, Ken Shue, described Retta’s work. “Her ‘Cinderella’ storybook illustrations are very stylized,” he observed. “I keep the ‘Cinderella’ cover framed on an easel outside my office. It’s a very detailed, complex composition that informs and inspires our art staff daily. It’s show-stopping.”

 

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In 1980, Retta worked on The Plague Dogs, a non-Disney animated film directed by Martin Rosen. She also helped animate television commercials produced by Luckey Zamora for such products as Cookie Crisp Cereal.

 

Retta Scott died August 26, 1990, at her home in Foster City, California.