Apr 26 2024
Eyvind Earle was a remarkable artist whose multifaceted talent spanned numerous mediums and styles, making him a truly versatile figure in the art world. Born April 26, 1916, Earle’s career spanned over six decades and encompassed everything from painting and printmaking to animation and film design. He is perhaps best known for his work at …
Apr 10 2024
Inspired after seeing this on Soviet Visuals and Folklore Film Fest‘s #SovietFilmWednesday, this was the first Soviet film I shared a little over three years ago, and it is still one of my favorites. What can I say, I love rain and cats, and the illustrations are beautiful, so this seemed like the perfect starting place for …
Apr 03 2024
Thank You (Spasibo, Спасибо) is a hand-drawn 1973 animation directed by Vladimir Tarasov, who is best known for his Soviet science fiction films Contact (1978), Contract (1985), and The Pass (1988). In Thank You, a group of polite children take a field trip to learn about airplanes. Click the “cc” icon for subtitles.
Mar 30 2024
Born on this day March 30, 1913, Marc Davis, one of Disney’s most influential animators and artists, holds a special place in the annals of animation history. From Aurora to Maleficent, his portfolio is a veritable who’s who of Disney’s most treasured characters. His artistic abilities and unique vision shaped the look and feel of …
Mar 17 2024
In the world of animation, few names hold as much weight and significance as that of Ken Anderson. A brilliant mind and a creative genius, Anderson’s contributions to the realm of animation have left an impression that continues to inspire generations of animators. As one of Walt Disney’s earliest team members, Anderson was instrumental in …
Feb 28 2024
The 1973 animation Fox and Rabbit (Лиса и заяц) was Yuri Norstein’s debut as an exclusive director. In keeping with Norstein’s most beloved animation techniques, it is made with wonderful cut-outs and has that signature Norstein earthy feel, brimming with folksy forest animals and seasonal motifs. Based on a Russian folk tale, it is the …
Feb 05 2024
“There it is, Wendy! Second star to the right and straight on ’til morning.” Peter Pan Today is the birthday of the Disney classic, Peter Pan, released February 5th, 1953. The Disney classic is an enduring and beloved work of animation that has captured the hearts of many across several generations. This enchanting adaptation of …
Jan 17 2024
While Rankin & Bass were celebrating wintertime with their charming 1960’s stop-motion animations for Americans, including the beloved Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Soviet animator and director Roman Kachanov was making his own adorable stop-motion films, including the celebrated Cheburashka children’s series consisting of Gena the Crocodile, Cheburashka, Shapoklyak and Cheburashka Goes to School. A prolific artist, Kachanov was also …
Jan 13 2024
A monumental event in the history of animation and cinema occurred on December 21, 1937, when Disney’s first full-length animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, made its grand premiere at Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles. Three weeks later it debuted in New York City on this day January 13, 1938. The premiere was held at …
Jan 12 2024
The remarkable career of Clement Hurd, the master illustrator, spans over a period of several decades, marked by unforgettable contributions to the world of children’s literature. Born on this day January 12, 1908 in New York City, Hurd was not initially inclined towards illustration. He pursued his interest in architecture at Yale and later in …
