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| "Popeye on trinket dish, with lid" http://www.etsy.com/shop/AnfinsenArt |
Someone once said: “The basis of good art is drawing. If you don’t know how to
draw, you’ll never become an artist.”
The question is do you believe that? And if you
don’t, what is the basis for your opinion?
Throughout the years there have been many artists
and creators who have won the test of time and their work still charms
audiences today; artists that could not only draw, but were masters of
illustration and animation.
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| "Olive Oyl" hand puppet http://www.etsy.com/shop/AnfinsenArt |
Popeye was launched in 1929 debuting in a minor role
in the comic strip “Thimble Theater.” Within two years, Popeye was the star of
the strip. In 1933, Popeye became such an instant icon that spinach consumption
in the US went up 33 percent during the 1930s. I
became hooked on Popeye through my father who loved to read comic books after a
long day at work.
In 2004, Popeye celebrated 75 years of being loved
and adored and is still going strong. I discovered Popeye collectibles in the
early 90s, and by then there were others who had purchased and stashed away their
favorite King Features characters. Today my collection sells on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AnfinsenArt
Other illustrations, comic books and cartoons I
loved as a kid were created by Walter Lantz: Woody Woodpecker, Andy Panda, and
Wally Walrus to name only a few of the characters that danced across the movie
screen and cavorted through the pages of my personal stack of comic books.
Here is a Link to one of my favorites: Walter Lantz 1947,
Frederic Chopin – “Musical Moments” with Woody Woodpecker and Andy Panda.
In those days, kids traded comic books. Those with the largest horde were envied. Horror comics and movies were also adored. On Saturday morning at the movie theater we screamed and shuddered through the horror flicks. Frankenstein, Zombie mania, and Abbott and Lou Costello kept us wide-eyed and glued to our seats.
In those days, kids traded comic books. Those with the largest horde were envied. Horror comics and movies were also adored. On Saturday morning at the movie theater we screamed and shuddered through the horror flicks. Frankenstein, Zombie mania, and Abbott and Lou Costello kept us wide-eyed and glued to our seats.
As an illustrator, Walter Lantz was way ahead of his
time. Before Political Correctness came along to modify and tame, Lantz created
without inhibitions or guilt which was typical for the age. Today, some of his
early cartoons are banned for their racial content and stereotyping. But even
this cannot take away from the magnificent characters and stories he created. Taken in its totality, the career of
Walter Lantz proves that the man was a genius, way ahead of his time.
Walter Lantz 1947 Overture to William Tell on YouTube
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The creator of Raggedy Ann and Andy, illustrator
Johnny Gruelle, endeared earlier generations to the magic of toys coming to
life while their owners slumbered. Even today, many parents have introduced
their children to these red-headed rag dolls.
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In 1970 at the height of their
popularity, an animated film called “A Musical Adventure” enchanted children
everywhere. A short YouTube clip highlights a scene where the toys awaken from
their slumber. http://youtu.be/vQXlAi_-nW4
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