Rabbit-ghosty-thing from Halloween Past

Finally found it. This is the photo that I mentioned in my Ghosts of Halloween Past post from two Halloweens ago. Mom came through for me and did some digging in the attic (or basement) to resurrect this nice photographic relic for all to enjoy. Much appreciated, moms.

I'm 11 months old here, forced to wear some blanket-with-rabbit-ears sort of thingy, tied by....an ascot? I'm told that I have such a strange look on my face because my mom was laughing so hard while trying to take the picture.

Halloween is one of our favorite holidays around the Jenkins houshold. The windows are filled with paper pumpkins & ghosts, the yard is covered with acres of stringy, fake webs, and yes, the pumpkins have been gutted and carved. There was a slight fear that it would rain tonight, but perhaps that was just an ugly rumor. Let's hope & pray that it was and that our little genie & Spider-Man will have a nice, safe & dry night of trick-or-treating.

Enjoy your candy, kids!

The True Face-Off

This is how I'd like to see the presidential candidates really duke it out:

Some b-boys close up

In The Air 1
Acrylic and pencil on wood
9" x 8.25"
This one is SOLD.


Top Rock 2
Acrylic & ink on wood
10.75" x 15"
Buy it here.



Stance
Acrylic & ink on wood
10.25" x 21.75"
Buy it here.

OMG I'm a dotcom

Here's the part wherein I plug my new website, www.wardjenkins.com, and upon visiting the site, you'll see that it's only a 'coming soon' page with two active links: one to my email and the other to my blog, which, upon clicking takes you right back here whereupon you'll see that I've posted about my new website, www.wardjenkins.com, and upon visiting the site, you'll see that it's only a 'coming soon' page, with two active links and then you'll realize that you've stumbled upon some strange möbius strip linkage, going back & forth between my site and blog, site & blog, back & forth, back & forth, etc, and then after suddenly waking up from this cycle, you'll find the urge to email me, asking me to do some fantastic animation work or some brilliant illustration work or some amazing direction, etc., blah, blah, blah.....okay okay I'll stop.

Thanks to John for the hosting part and to my ATL buddy Eric for the getting it up and running part -- am trying my best to not have those words "coming soon!" up for long. Expect some updates in the next couple of weeks. Really? My goal is to have this done by my 40th birthday. For those who know, that's not too far away.

The b-boy show through the eyes of my kids

It was late. All the people were gone. The dancers had left the building, and the only ones hanging around the Grassy Knoll after the opening were me, Andrea, the gallery owners: Robert & Renee, and the kids. The kids. Boy, let me tell ya: Ava & Ezra were real troopers throughout the entire evening -- I was so impressed by how well they behaved by the end of it, I almost thought that they had been replaced by someone else's older kids. I could tell they enjoyed the evening. But by this time, it was well past 9:30pm and they were getting bored, waiting for us older folks to shut our traps and get us on home.

So, to pass time, Ava grabbed my camera and took some photos.


I love this shot.









Ezra then grabbed the camera and took some shots himself:


Apparently, Ezra's a short little guy.


Ava on the wheels of steel.




Ezra finds a leaf on the floor.

The b-boy show

Photo by the wife.

Wow. I'm still speechless, and it's been over a week since the opening reception for my solo show "b-boy". First of all, I want to thank everyone who came out to support. It was an exhilarating experience, from conceptualization to research to sketching to painting and, finally, to exhibiting the work. It's been one of the most difficult projects I've ever taken on, but also one of the most satisfying. I'm extremely proud of the work I was able to crank out for the Grassy Knoll Gallery and my only hope for those of you who stopped by that evening of October 2nd is that you caught a mere glimpse of all the hard work that was put into it. A wild ride, but completely and totally worth it.

I've put together a Flickr set from the show, along with some work-in-progress shots, in case you're into that sort of thing. I know a lot of you artist-types usually are. Checkit: b-boy.

Also, check out more of Andrea's photos from the opening here.

Not one for the words, so I'll let the photos speak for themselves (with a few captions, for info's sake):








This was the first time I had a chance to see all (or, almost all) the paintings together.


For the wood and cardboard pieces I used india ink for the linework. Loved the pure blacks I was getting.

I even employed Spidey to help out:






The following two shots of me laying out the paintings the day before the show by Andrea:




Day of the show:





Gallery co-owner Renee Marcotte makes it all official by putting up the labels.




It was wild to see people I knew there. Even wilder to see people I didn't know.

Here's what they were checking out:



Moon Patrol Crew was amazing. Really made the show. Thanks, guys for putting on such an incredible performace.


Ezra wanted to get out there so badly. He was ready, getting up slightly after each dancer, but would sit back down when the next b-boy hit the floor. Seriously, I would've paid money to see him get out on the floor and do his version of breakin'.

To see more photos from the evening, check out my b-boy Flickr set.

And be sure to see Andrea's amazing photos here

For those of you who weren't able to go to the opening reception and want to see the exhibit, you can contact Renee Marcotte at 1-503-449-7484 and she'll be able to set up an appointment for ya. The show will be up for the entire months of October and November. If you can't make it to Portland, yet still curious about what it's all about, you can see all the paintings at Grassy Knoll Gallery's online store. Yes, they're affordable.

Again, I'm so thankful for everyone who showed up last Thursday, the 2nd. It was a memorable night for me & my family.

Deep in it

With my show opening just days away tomorrow, I'm deep in it. My workspace downstairs looks like a true artist's enclave, with a vast array of paint & supplies sprawled all around. Never been one for the organizing thing, so you can only imagine. Well, here's a little peek at my desk for ya. That should tide you over, I guess. And if you want to see some more sneaky peeks, then check out the Flickr. Hopefully it'll wet your appetite for what's to come. Hopefully it'll make you want to get in your car and drive 300 or 400 (or however many) miles on Thursday evening just to see what else might be up on the Grassy Knoll Gallery's walls. Hopefully it'll make you want to plunk down hundreds of dollars for all the tasty artwork that's being offered. I know it will. Just know it.

The Grassy Knoll Gallery is owned & operated by Robert Lewis and Renee Marcotte and is located in the historic Merchant Hotel in Old Town, Portland. Robert is head of Fashion Buddha, an animation & design studio that shares its space with the gallery (the gallery is actually in its spacious foyer). What's interesting to note is the gallery's description: The Grassy Knoll is a unique gallery specializing in the work of innovative animators and illustrators.... I found this especially intriguing, what with me being both an animator AND and illustrator. It seemed only right that Robert & I connected.

I'm extemely honored to have a show at Grassy Knoll. The roster of previous artists who've shown their work is staggering: Amy Ruppel, Evan B. Harris, Alberto Cerriteno; I mean, I really don't deserve to be included with such company. And look who's coming up after me: Joel Trussell! Right on.

Regarding the show itself: "b-boy" came out of the conceptual illustrations I had done years before and had posted here on my blog several months ago. There was potential for an entire show with this theme and I went with it, eager to see where it would take me. Utilizing mostly "found" materials for the surfaces, such as cardboard, wood, linoleum, and formica, I wanted to forge a connection between the subject matter and said items. Dancers from back in the day had to improvise with whatever they could find to dance on. Concrete and asphalt was certainly not susceptible for backspins and windmills, so cardboard and linoleum were the usual preferred surfaces.

Never one to go with the grain, I've rarely worked on canvas. Back in college, I painted on cardboard out of necessity -- I couldn't afford canvas. I was working at a movie theater at the time and we'd get shipments of promotional standees -- they came in these huge cardboard boxes that provided me with acres of painting space. Perfect for what I had in mind. What was enjoyable for me working with cardboard was the fact that it's malleable -- I could add and subtract to a particular piece at will. Even though the actual surface of cardboard took some getting used to (a couple coats of gesso helped), it was the workable and shape-shifting nature of the material that inspired me. The fact that I could go beyond the typical square or rectangular painting dimensions was very appealing.

There's some great dancing to be had the night of the opening. I've done a little searching and found some great videos of Portland's own Moon Patrol Crew -- three members of which will be performing Thursday night at the Grassy Knoll. I'm incredibly excited! Here, check out their performance, "Toprock", at the PICA:Time Based Art festival:



That's such a sweet deal there. Love the fact that they took the 'toprocking' aspect of breaking and incorporated it into a singular performance, with several dancers. Very nice.

Here's a cool battle between Moon Patrol Crew & Def Con 5 at the recent Juice Jam (Moon Patrol kids are on the same side as the cameraman, facing the DC5 boys):



Hope that gets ya off your seat and down to Old Town.

If you can't make it for the opening, no problem. The show will be up for the entire months of October and November -- just call the studio to set up a time to come and check it out. Robert & Renee will be more than willing to open the doors for you.

Okay. Gotta finish this one last painting. See ya tomorrow!

b-boy: an art show

You thought that Ottawa was it for now. Not so. And you thought that I'd be doing a big Ottawa wrap-up, right? Well, all in due time, my friends. First things first and this is it for me right now:

The grassy knoll gallery presents:

b-boy — Ward Jenkins

Exhibition Dates // October - November, 2008

Artist Reception // Thursday, October 2nd, 2008
6-9 PM, free, open to the public

Breakdancing Performance // 7-9 PM featuring:
Randm-1, Impulse, and Skywalker of Portland’s
Moon Patrol Crew and guest DJ Computer Fam

Grassy Knoll Gallery //
123 NW 2nd Avenue, 2nd floor
Portland, OR 97209

Contact // Renee Marcotte
1-503-449-7484

Artist statement //

"b-boy" is a tribute to the early boogie boys of the Bronx, the original poppin’ & lockin’ dancers who kept the parties live back in the day, back when hip-hop was in its golden, embryonic stage. Using various ‘lo-fi’ materials and surfaces, such as found cardboard, wood, and linoleum, Ward harks back to the essence of the early ingenuity and innovation of hip hop. During the 70’s and early 80’s, kids used a wide variety of surfaces to dance on and perform stylized acrobatic moves. Using what was available, they proved again and again that the brightest sources of creativity often come from the most humble of places. “b-boy”is a tribute to the beginnings of that movement, before the uninformed media brought it to near-fad status.

All you Portland and/or NW peeps: hope you can make it! It'll be fun to finally meet you all. Don't forget, it's next Thursday!

Preparing for Ottawa

The business cards are printed, the demo reels are burned, the portfolios are, well they're still being printed up—looks like Ottawa is 'round the corner, yes? Yes. The Ottawa International Animation Festival 2008 is happening this week, from September 17th to the 21st. This will be my fourth time to the Canadian capital, packing all my hoping-to-get-a-job materials with me. Even if I don't snag any gigs during my time there, I know that the networking will benefit me in the long run. (It better.)

I'm curious about the Animators For Hire event, wherein any jobseeker can get a short interview with various companies in the industry. Not sure how it's going to go for me, mainly because I'm probably a hard sell. Honestly, I'm not making it easy for myself: I mean, seriously? A former director who's been in the industry for 12 years, looking for freelance gigs because he'd rather stay in Portland? I'm not like these young kats, fresh, green and wet behind the ears, just itching to get their foot in the door and willing to move anywhere at the drop of a hat. Hopefully, my experience along with my quirky way of looking at things will win these potential employers over. That, along with my dashing good looks. Har har.

I do have the internet on my side. I know that many companies do, in fact, hire freelancers remotely, working back & forth via FedEx and/or ftp sites. Faster computers, faster servers, faster everything has made the World of Animation just a wee bit smaller nowadays. I plan on benefitting from this. (Actually, I have already.)

Oh yeah, I gotta mention this: I'll be moderating a panel on that Saturday, the 20th, called Animation Education Report Card. I've been on two panels before at Platform, but this'll be my first time acting as moderator. I'm actually quite psyched for it. In case you're too lazy clicking on the link, here's the panel specs for ya:

------------------------------------------------

ANIMATION EDUCATION REPORT CARD
Saturday, September 20, 9:00 am, National Gallery - Lecture Hall

Get the inside scoop on how animation school curricula fares in the real world. Are institutions giving graduates the tools they need to survive and meet the needs of an ever-changing animation industry? Listen in on the debate with representatives from top schools and productions houses from Canada and the states.

Speakers:
Tom Knott, Laika Entertainment
J.J. Sedelmaier, President / Director, JJ Sedelmaier Productions, Inc.
Neil Hunter, Co-coordinator & Professor, Animation Program, Algonquin College - Animation
Leland Burke, Animation Area Coordinator, Massachusetts College of Art

Moderated By:
Ward Jenkins, Animation Director, Drawn!

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To prepare for this panel, I thought I'd open the floor to you guys and see what sort of questions do you think I should ask? What should be addressed that you think is being largely overlooked? Is there anything that frustrates you about the current state of animation education, not to mention trying to get a job in the industry after graduation? Please feel free to ask away here, or send me a message via email (check my profile). They usually record panel discussions at OIAF, so there's a possibility that you can hear what we talk about at a later date. I'll keep you posted. If I like your question, I'll probably give a nod to you, if that's okay. Let me know otherwise.

For the OIAF schedule click here. I may do a follow up post here mentioning what screenings and panels I'll be checking out.

Two years ago on Drawn!, I did only one post on the festival. This year, I plan to do more. (I promise, John!)

So, yes....this week is about getting ready. Looking forward to it! Hope to see you there. If you are going, feel free to contact me and maybe we'll run into each other. I said 'maybe'.

Oh, and I prolly will tweet the entire time I'm there, too. Just so you know.

so long summer

It was probably the craziest summer ever experienced in our 14 years together. But we endured. And we enjoyed, believe it or not.

So long, Summer '08. You were a doozy. Thanks for the memories.

Ballerinas

Something I did recently for a potential job. Didn't get it, but that's okay. I now have ballerinas in my illustration arsenal.

Good thing Andrea's a dancer and that we have an 8 year old daughter. Lots of books laying around here on dance -- plenty of reference for me. (For the record: Andrea's more a modern dancer, but has books on all types of dance because she teaches it.)





Girls are so awkward at this age, especially when it comes to getting ballet poses right. It was fun trying to come up with some scenarios you see here.

Wow, it got real girly around here all of a sudden, didn't it? Oh, well. Enjoy your Labor Day, folks.

The Lazy Lion

I completely forgot I had this book, but you can thank Leif Peng for sparking my memory. This past week, Leif focused on the work of the great Jan Balet, an inspiring illustrator who did some marvelous work in magazines and books throughout most of the mid-20th century. There's not much out there about the artist, but Leif has been able to acquire enough details to get a pretty good grasp of his brilliant career. (And I find it interesting that since there's no account of his death that it's possible that he could be still alive at the ripe old age of 95.) Balet's range was amazing, and the length of his career is testament to that.


The Lazy Lion; story by Helen Wing, pictures by Jan. B. Balet. Published by Rand McNally. First printing 1953.

The Lazy Lion was this inconspicuous book almost overlooked by me in some forgotten antique market bookshelf, mainly because of a bland cover (no dustjacket). But imagine my surprise when I opened it and found some fantastic work by Mr. Balet! I was already aware of his work from a few advertisements in various women's magazines -- this was my first encounter of any of his children's book work. Love his whimsical style and fun characters. I'll say it again, I love it.

The book wasn't in the best of condition, with some staining throughout the pages, but I decided not to photoshop them out. Would've taken too long, plus, it kinda looks neat. None of the artwork is affected. At least, not too much.


Sorry, but no 'slottie toys' were to be found in the back of the book (see below). Already cut out and put together by some lucky child. Probably long forgotten and thrown away by the parents when their kids' grew up. Oh well.


The book was bound too tightly in the spine, so we lose some of the artwork in the gutter there. I tried my best to get as much of it as possible.


Great poses here and below.




Ummm....I really shouldn't say anything here, so I won't. Just some unfortunate posing. *ahem...turn page*


Great characters here.




Here's what the 'slottie toys' consisted of. Too bad they were torn out. It would've been fun to reconstruct these guys. (And yes, I totally would've torn them out to make 'em! I'm not some freaky collector who would rather keep all his toys in their original plastic boxes! At least, I don't think I would.)

Click here to view these images from The Lazy Lion in a Flickr set.
Leif's Jan Balet Flickr set.
Jan Balet on Today's Inspiration.