Sep 05 2024
Born on this day September 5, 1924, Frank Armitage was an Australian-born American artist whose brush strokes brought magic to both the silver screen and theme park walls. His journey from Melbourne to the heart of Disney’s creative empire is a testament to the power of artistic passion and perseverance. Disney’s Background Wizard Armitage’s talent …
Aug 08 2024
Born on this day August 8, 1922, in the Hungarian village of Balatonszemes, Károly Reich’s artistic journey was as rich and diverse as his illustrations, encompassing a range of styles from folk art to modernism. His deft use of color and form, coupled with his unique ability to capture the essence of his subjects, made his …
Aug 07 2024
A Brush with Brilliance Rien Poortvliet, a name that might not immediately ring a bell, but his art has likely touched your life in ways you never imagined. This Dutch artist, with his magical ability to capture the essence of nature and folklore, was born on this day, August 7, 1932, in Schiedam, Netherlands. From Advertising …
Jul 11 2024
In the colorful world of animation and children’s literature, few names shine as brightly as Toby Bluth. Born on July 11, 1940, in the vast expanse of Texas, Bluth would go on to become a pivotal figure in bringing magic to life through his art. A Family of Storytellers Toby’s artistic genes ran deep, as …
May 28 2024
For over five decades, the enchanting “It’s a Small World” ride at Disneyland has captured the hearts and imagination of millions of visitors, both young and old alike. The captivating attraction, which first opened its doors in Disneyland on May 28, 1966, is a true testament to Disney’s magical and timeless storytelling. As the ride celebrates …
May 19 2024
On May 19, 1960 this cheery Disney film was released to the public. It is the story of an orphaned girl raised by missionaries who arrives in a town fraught with feuds, and transforms the community with her positive attitude. Pollyanna’s shining quality is that she can always find the good in something. Yes, it …
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 …
