Mushka at Animayo/Spain

https://twitter.com/mushkafilm/status/1653468529184886784?s=42&t=9O5kFQmD3TDXbQlM3S3SRw

 https://twitter.com/festivalanimayo/status/1652387262489935873?s=42&t=9O5kFQmD3TDXbQlM3S3SRw

Mushka in Stuttgart this Saturday

 https://twitter.com/itfs/status/1649442144036220929?s=42&t=9O5kFQmD3TDXbQlM3S3SRw

Milt Kahl in 3D

Milt Kahl's designs work in 2 dimensions. They are flat and graphic in the most sophisticated way imaginable. His drawings always show a magnificent tension between straight and curved lines. Inventive shapes and lines based on a lifelong research of realistic animals and humans. You might think that his aesthetics could not be faithfully translated into 3 dimensions.

Think again! Sculptor Andrea Blasich totally nails Milt's extraordinary style in 3 D. His work is a great tribute to one of the most important artists of the 20th century. The looseness of his sculptures reflect Milt Kahl's rough drawings, full of life and appeal.

One of these days I am going to break down and order a whole bunch of these wonderful maquettes.

Andrea's website includes characters from other studios as well as private work:

https://andreablasichsculpture.square.site

Spring Parade

 

 

That's the title of this Heinrich Kley illustration. A couple of women observing a parade of men carrying spring branches. One of them is holding a weighty woman. And the ladies sit on top of an aging centaur who might be touching one of his legs because of rheumatism. What does it all mean? Any connection to WW I ? Who knows. It sure is a fantastic drawing! 

 

Lucille Martin

 

Here is a photo from 1965 with Walt Disney and his secretarial staff. From left to right: Eunice Combs, Lucille Hoey (later Martin), Walt and Tommie Wilck.

I had the good fortune to get to know Lucille Martin. After Walt's passing, Lucille worked for Ron Miller and then Michael Eisner. I recall a few occasions when Lucille would call me up to ask if I could provide a certain character drawing for Michael Eisner. These drawings ended up being gifts for executives and Disney business partners. 

Lucille was a wonderful person. She loved and respected animation - after all, her former boss was the king of the medium. I never forget her elegance and grace. One time a friend of mine and I took her out to lunch (the restaurant was Ca Del Sole in Studio City). Lucille was more than happy to share her memories of Walt and what he was like. I found it fascinating that she had worked for several Disney CEOs. Somehow I had to ask: "The stories you know...wouldn't you like to write a book?" Her answer: " Andreas, those stories are not for publication." In other words, they were private to her. 

In 1994 I was working on the Mickey short Runaway Brain with a great French animation crew in Paris. I thought wouldn't it be nice if my German family could come and meet me at Disneyland Paris for three days? To make a long story short, Lucille and her staff arranged everything for this "Christmas Holiday Deja Family Reunion". And we were a large group, 10 persons. Hotel bookings, restaurants, shows etc. It turned out to be a once in a lifetime get together with my family. 

This is how I remember Lucille. Warm, generous...and always so elegant. She passed away in 2012 at age 90.