The Linda Jones Archive: Herblock and Chuck Jones

The Pulitzer Prize-winning and world-renowned political cartoonist, Herblock, was a fan of Chuck Jones. So much so, that he called Jones up one day in the summer of 1978 and introduced himself. They spent several hours on the phone and became life-long friends. This is part of letter that Chuck Jones wrote to Herblock a few days after that initial phone conversation.Dear Herb Block,

I have been told on extremely good authority that there is a time to live, a time to love, a time to die, a time to etcetera -- all indisputably true, all, philosophically speaking, absolutely meaningless, but -- there certainly is always time to be surprised and delighted as I was when you called the other day. I have known courageous people, wise people, intelligent people and brilliantly talented people but seldom people who possess more than two of those qulities and I don't need more fingers than I have to count those who posess all of those qualities. You are in illustrious company, Herb Block: Mark Twain, F.D.R., Walt Kelly, R.L. Stevenson, Vachel Lindsay, Beatrix Potter -- a few more perhaps -- shall I grow more fingers?

...thank you again for the stimulating call -- it justified the entire history of the Bell System. Best regards, Chuck

Which Artist's Work Will You Go Home with at the Red Dot Auction?

With just two days left before the Red Dot Auction, we wanted to share with you the stories of the artists who have donated art work (or in some cases, more than one) to this year’s Red Dot Auction. This fundraiser, now in its sixth year, benefits the programs of the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity. Today we feature artist Melissa Phillips. Melissa Mae Phillips (a.k.a., The Cheeky Whale) has been painting, illustrating and designing for nearly 20 years.  She currently lives in Utah with her husband and 2 children. She can be reached via her website wwww.thecheekywhale.com or on all social media: @thecheekywhale.

Will you go home with Melissa's donation to this year's Red Dot Auction? (It's beautiful, sweet, and funny BTW.)  Ticket’s available at ChuckJonesCenter.org/RedDot. Pre-bidding is now available at Heritage Auctions, click here to place your bids

Which Artist's Work Will You Go Home with at the Red Dot Auction?

With just three days left before the Red Dot Auction, we wanted to share with you the stories of the artists who have donated art work (or in some cases, more than one) to this year’s Red Dot Auction. This fundraiser, now in its sixth year, benefits the programs of the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity. Today we feature artist Ron Ferdinand.Ron was born in 1951 in New York City. “My interest in cartooning began as soon as I could turn on a TV set! Crusader Rabbit, Colonel Bleep and Clutch Cargo were early influences,” said Ron. With the advent of the ’60s and Hanna-Barbera, I was in seventh heaven. The animated Disney films were also a sanctuary from the outside world.” Ron attended The School of Visual Arts from 1971-1973 and The Art Students League in 1974, where he studied anatomy with Gustav Rehburger. In 1981, Ron read an interview with Hank Ketcham in Jud Hurd’s monthly publication, Cartoonist PROfiles. “I sent Hank some pencil sketches of the various characters, and after a few months of correspondence, I was brought on board to work on the Dennis the Menace comic books for Marvel.” In 1982, Ron began drawing the Dennis Sunday page, which he continues to draw today.

Will you go home with Ron's donation to this year's Red Dot Auction? Ticket’s available at ChuckJonesCenter.org/RedDot. Pre-bidding is now available at Heritage Auctions, click here to place your bids

Which Artist's Work Will You Go Home with at the Red Dot Auction?

With just a week left before the Red Dot Auction, we wanted to share with you the stories of the artists who have donated art work (or in some cases, more than one) to this year’s Red Dot Auction. This fundraiser, now in its sixth year, benefits the programs of the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity. Today we feature artist Naylene Justis.Naylene Justis has been fascinated by drawing since she was able to hold a crayon. She has been equally fascinated with silliness, and so cartoons have been a lifelong passion. She studied animation at Cal State Fullerton where she graduated in 2012. She currently works as a caricature artist at Downtown Disney turning real people into cartoon drawings. When she isn’t drawing cartoons or devouring mammoth novels she can often be found volunteering at the Chuck Jones Center.

Will you go home with Naylene's donation to this year's Red Dot Auction? Ticket’s available at ChuckJonesCenter.org/RedDot. Pre-bidding is now available at Heritage Auctions, click here to place your bids

Which Artist's Work Will You Go Home with at the Red Dot Auction?

With just a week left before the Red Dot Auction, we wanted to share with you the stories of the artists who have donated art work (or in some cases, more than one) to this year’s Red Dot Auction. This fundraiser, now in its sixth year, benefits the programs of the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity. Today we feature artist Jimm Nawrocki.My current work is mixed media collage with a facial or figurative imagery focus. 

I generally start out with an image that I have manipulated with the computer and print out this image on my ink jet printer.  I then take that image, make different versions of it through additional manipulations, and cut and paste parts of these versions onto the original image to create a new image.  I will also add different elements, tape, googly eyes, stickers, news print, wire mesh, cardboard or whatever, to the image to change it even more.

I don’t know that I have a specific goal or end result in mind when I go through this building process.  I am very much drawn to making the image into something else, pushing it into a different direction, and just seeing what happens.  I want my creation to have a certain ambiguity or uncertainty.  My art should express a range of ideas and give the viewer something to think about.

This is Jimm's sixth year contributing a work to the Red Dot Auction; will you go home with it? Ticket’s available at ChuckJonesCenter.org/RedDot. Pre-bidding is now available at Heritage Auctions, click here to place your bids 

Which Artist's Work Will You Go Home with at the Red Dot Auction?

With less than two weeks until the Red Dot Auction, we wanted to share with you the stories of the artists who have donated art work (or in some cases, more than one) to this year’s Red Dot Auction. This fundraiser, now in its sixth year, benefits the programs of the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity. Today we feature artist June Valentine-Ruppe. June was born and raised in California where she continues to pursue her love of drawing, illustrating and painting. For over 20 years she has illustrated more than 120 collectable children's books for Publishers such as Disney, Random House, Scholastic, Golden Books, Lyrick and Publishers International. In these books, June illustrated licensed Characters including: Sesame Street Characters; Disney Characters, such as the Fab Five, Little Mermaid and Winnie The Pooh; Lamb Chop and Friends; and Barney the Dinosaur, among many others. But, according to June, “ my real love has always been painting on canvas, which gives me the freedom to create my own original art work. I love bringing interesting characters to life”.

Will you go home with June’s work at this year’s Red Dot Auction? Be there to find out. Ticket’s available at ChuckJonesCenter.org/RedDot. Pre-bidding is now available at Heritage Auctions, click here to place your bids.

Which Artist's Work Will You Go Home with at the Red Dot Auction?

With less than two weeks until the Red Dot Auction, we wanted to share with you the stories of the artists who have donated art work (or in some cases, more than one) to this year’s Red Dot Auction. This fundraiser, now in its sixth year, benefits the programs of the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity. Today we feature artist Andrea Rosales.Andrea is an illustrator, graphic designer, concept and comic-book artist with a passion for visual storytelling and a love for infusing her art with a sense of whimsy, vigor and puns.

While growing up in Portland, OR, Andrea cultivated her love for art over the course of many rainy afternoons. Having recently graduated from Loyola Marymount University, Andrea is now based in sunny Los Angeles, CA working as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator.

She has exhibited her work at CTN Animation Expo in Burbank (2014, 2015) and at Rose City Comic-Con (2015) in Portland, OR. Currently she runs her online art shop, Good Walrus Goods and is working on Nine Twilights, a web comic adventure series which fuses magical girls and Norse mythology together. (NineTwilights.com)

When not drawing, Andrea loves to watch old school cartoons, read comics and enjoy a hot cup o' cocoa.

Will you go home with Andrea’s work at this year’s Red Dot Auction? Be there to find out. Ticket’s available at ChuckJonesCenter.org/RedDot. Pre-bidding is now available at Heritage Auctions, click here to place your bids.

Which Artist's Work Will You Go Home with at the Red Dot Auction?

With less than three weeks until the Red Dot Auction, we wanted to share with you the stories of the artists who have donated art work (or in some cases, more than one) to this year's Red Dot Auction. This fundraiser, now in its sixth year, benefits the programs of the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity. Today we feature artist Terri Hardin.Terri has been an artist and puppeteer for over 30 years working in films and television.  Her credits include, Ghostbusters, Indian in the Cupboard, both Flintstone films, both Men In Black Films, Monkeybone, The Country Bears and Team America.  She’s worked with the Jim Henson Company since 1989. Her work can also be seen as ensemble on Disney’s new Muppet Show.

She was in the Disney/Henson hit TV show Dinosaurs, where she played Baby Sinclair’s arms, and she designed and built the Foster Imposters at the Character Shop, for those funny Foster Farms Chicken Commercials.  She has played the passenger chicken in these commercials since the beginning.

Terri is also a sculptor.  She is well known for her collectible figurines she creates for the Walt Disney Company. When she was a Walt Disney Imagineer, she designed rides and attractions for many of the parks. In Paris Disneyland you can walk through Dragon’s Lair and in Tokyo Disneyland., you can ride the Splash Mountain boat with the rabbit she sculpted, and sail down the main drop she created.

Before she worked for Walt Disney Imagineering she sculpted creatures and animals for many films including Jungle 2 Jungle, the drugged cat Tim Allen hits with a blow dart, in Relic, the prehistoric Ground Sloth skeleton, and the dove of peace and the presidential parakeets in Mars Attacks.

She is currently working on her Memoir working title “Little Zebra.”  The story of a how she was able to rise above adversity, keep her sense of humor and positive attitude to rise to success in the entertainment industry.

Will you go home with Terri's work at this year's Red Dot Auction? Be there to find out. Ticket's available at ChuckJonesCenter.org/RedDot. Pre-bidding is now available at Heritage Auctions, click here to place your bids.

Which Artist's Work Will You Go Home with at the Red Dot Auction?

With less than three weeks until the Red Dot Auction, we wanted to share with you the stories of the artists who have donated art work (or in some cases, more than one) to this year's Red Dot Auction. This fundraiser, now in its sixth year, benefits the programs of the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity. Today we feature artist Eric Scales. Eric Scales has been an illustrator for 15 years. An animation fan from a young age, Eric loves capturing moments from memorable cartoons. He has illustrated books for Dreamworks, Hasbro, and Scholastic Publishing and he recently completed a dozen paintings for Walt Disney Imagineering to be used at the upcoming Shanghai Disneyland Resort. Eric currently creates artwork and animation cels for the Disneyland Resort in California. This is his fourth year contributing to the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity's Red Dot Auction.

Will you go home with Eric's work at this year's Red Dot Auction? Be there to find out. Ticket's available at ChuckJonesCenter.org/RedDot. Pre-bidding is now available at Heritage Auctions, click here to place your bids.

Which Artist's Work Will You Go Home with at the Red Dot Auction?

With less than three weeks until the Red Dot Auction, we wanted to share with you the stories of the artists who have donated art work (or in some cases, more than one) to this year's Red Dot Auction. This fundraiser, now in its sixth year, benefits the programs of the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity. Today we feature artist Michael Falk.Michael Falk is a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer and Iraq War veteran who in 2012 decided to become a storyteller through the medium of cartoons and animation. He holds a BFA in Media Arts & Animation from the Art Institute of Jacksonville and currently works in the Digital Production Department of DC Comics Entertainment, where he animates the digital front list covers for MAD Magazine and helps to create digital comic books for various platforms. Michael also works part time as a painting instructor for Paint Nite and an animation teacher for Valley Torah High School.

Will you go home with Michael's work at this year's Red Dot Auction? Be there to find out. Ticket's available at ChuckJonesCenter.org/RedDot. Pre-bidding is now available at Heritage Auctions, click here to place your bids.

Which Artist's Work Will You Go Home with at the Red Dot Auction?

With less than three weeks until the Red Dot Auction, we wanted to share with you the stories of the artists who have donated art work (or in some cases, more than one) to this year's Red Dot Auction. This fundraiser, now in its sixth year, benefits the programs of the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity. Today we feature artist Carolyn Le.Carolyn draws on the sunny California days, and her love of storytelling to create her watercolor paintings. She has twice received a first-place Illustration Award for her portfolio from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Editor’s Day, have received a Merit Award from the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles and have had her work shown in galleries in Los Angeles and London. The illustrations for her first picture book, Clarence and the Traveling Circus, received a Reader’s Choice Award for Illustration. Currently, Carolyn is writing and illustrating her own picture books and dreaming of ways to make her secret wish of having the power to fly come true. 

Will you go home with Carolyn's work at this year's Red Dot Auction? Be there to find out. Ticket's available at ChuckJonesCenter.org/RedDot. Pre-bidding is now available at Heritage Auctions, click here to place your bids.

"Use a Bigger Brush"-- A. Starr, Artist and Doctor of Neurology

"Chance favors the prepared mind," said Arnold Starr, artist and founder of UCI's neurology department, quoting Louis Pasteur. Last Friday, Craig Kausen, spent a few hours with A. Starr (that's how he signs his paintings) at his home in coastal south Orange County talking about many different topics including what is "it" that people are searching for?  "Their color" the response. As well as touching on the topics of creativity, arts education today, neurology, science, and discovery, We were fortunate to have video-taped the conversation and over the next few months hope to share snippets of that conversation with our readers. By the way, "use a bigger brush," was Starr's answer to "I don't paint often because I have to think too hard about it." Advice we're taking to heart. 

Photo by Stephen Russo. 

Girl Scout Programs at The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity in Costa Mesa, Ca

Check out our Girl Scout Programs for Junior and Cadettes! We can also host an Art Program for all age groups! 

All classes held at the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity, 3321 Hyland, Suite A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. 

More information can be found at the websites listed within this email. Or emailsasha@chuckjonescenter.org or call (949) 660-7793 x20107. If you have 6 or more girls in a Troop (or combine Troops), we can schedule a weekday afterschool session. Please inquire within.

Click here for pricing and scheduling for our Junior programs

Click here for pricing and scheduling for our Cadette programs

CADETTE BOOK ARTIST BADGE

For centuries, humans have been developing methods to create and bind paper in order to share ideas, knowledge, and inspirations with each other and with future generations.  The craft of creating books has evolved over time, but the basic human need to share words and pictures has stayed the same.  For this badge, you will try gluing, stitching, and folding your way to shaping your own book artistry style – you’ll create some spectacular gifts and keepsakes.

In this class you’ll:

-Explore the art of bookbinding

-Get familiar with the insides of a book

-Try out book artist techniques

-Focus on function

-Focus on style

CADETTE COMIC ARTIST BADGE

Newspaper cartoons, comic books, graphic novels...comic art is a broad, exciting, and growing field. In this badge, you'll explore the world of visual story telling from career choices to drawing techniques!

Earn your Comic Artist badge in five simple and fun steps:

-Delve into the world of comics 

-Choice a story to tell 

-Draw it out 

-Frame it in four panels  

-Add the words  

JUNIOR DRAWING BADGE

When you pick up your pencil, anything could leap from your mind onto a sheet of paper. That’s what makes drawing so fun. In this class we’ll show you different techniques to make your drawings even better.

You will:

-Experiment with different materials

-Learn how to shade

-Put some perspective in your pictures

-Make a portfolio

WARNER BROS. CLICKS ITS HEELS TOGETHER WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FOR “THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME” CAMPAIGN

Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP), Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) and Warner Bros. Entertainment Corporate Responsibility (WBE) partnered last week with Habitat for Humanity to launch “There’s No Place Like Home,” a campaign celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the classic film, The Wizard of Oz™. The year-long program kicked off on September 24th with a digital fundraising campaign and, throughout the year, will feature several themed initiatives and events supporting Habitat for Humanity’s work to create decent, safe and affordable housing in partnership with low-income families.“Warner Bros. Consumer Products has been fortunate to delight fans of The Wizard of Oz through the years with a multitude of products, and our ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ campaign is an extension of our appreciation for this classic film and those who love it,” said Brad Globe, president, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “The initiative will not only drive excitement among the iconic film’s legions of fans, it will help generate important funds for Habitat for Humanity – a fitting partnership as we celebrate this milestone anniversary.” To donate, go here or click the photo above.

“Warner Bros. is committed to making positive contributions to the communities in which we work and live,” said Susan Fleishman, executive vice president, Worldwide Corporate Communications & Public Affairs, Warner Bros. Entertainment.  “As the studio has enjoyed a long partnership with Habitat for Humanity, this serves as an ideal opportunity for us to use the affinity for a classic title like The Wizard of Oz to create awareness and support for such a worthy cause.” 

“Every day, in locations all around the world, we see how having a decent home can change lives and transform communities,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “Adequate and affordable housing is foundational, and stable housing is inextricably linked to better health, education and livelihood opportunities. The simple statement is true:  There’s no place like home.”

In conjunction with the build for Habitat for Humanity, Warner Bros. sponsored the creation of a mural at the local neighborhood library that continued the theme, "There's No Place Like Home." Artist James C. Mulligan and the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity along with the Warner Bros. volunteers created a 24' long mural that will hang in the library for all to enjoy.

Remember you can help the "There's No Place Like Home" initiative by donating at http://www.thewizardofoz.com/Habitat.

12 Principles of Animation Workshop this Saturday, August 17!

12 Principles of Animation Workshop - Straight Ahead Action and Pose to Pose Animation

There are two different approaches to animating a scene. "Straight Ahead Action" means drawing out a scene frame by frame from start to finish. While "Pose to Pose" involves starting with drawing the key frames, and then filling in the inbetween drawings later.

John Ramirez, animator artist for Disney movies such as “Beauty and the Beast”, “Aladdin” and “The Lion King”. All classes will be held at the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity.

Register today! Click here.

Ages: Middle-school age and older

Date: Saturday, August 17, 2013

Time: 3:00-6:00 PM

Questions: Sasha@ChuckJonesCenter.org or (949) 660-7793 x107

12 Principles of Animation Workshop on July 20, 2013

The 12 Principles of Animation Workshops - Staging

This principle is similar to staging as it is know in the theatre and film. Its purpose is to direct the audience's attention, and make it clear. What is of greatest importance in a scene; what is happening, and what is about to happen. The presentation of any idea so that it is completely and unmistakably clear. Whether that idea is an action, a personality, an expression or a mood.

About the teacher

John Ramirez, animator artist for Disney movies such as “Beauty and the Beast”, “Aladdin” and “The Lion King”. All classes will be held at the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity.

To register, click here

Ages: Middle-school age and older

Date: Saturday, July 20, 2013

Time: 3:00-6:00 PM

Questions: Sasha@ChuckJonesCenter.org or (949) 660-7793 x107

Drop In and Draw canceled for a special event on June 22, 2013

Sorry folks! Drop In and Draw has been canceled due to a special event.Check back with us next week!

Contact: Sasha@ChuckJonesCenter.org or (949) 660-7793 x107

"Simpsons" Storyboard Artist Stephen Reis at the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity

Writing from Costa Mesa: This reporter was fortunate enough to witness "Simpsons" storyboard artist, Stephen Reis (center in photo below) in action this past Saturday, November 3rd, at the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity during their "Great, Grand Chuck Jones Family Happening!" With a sharp pencil in each hand (many thanks to Pencils.com for the gift of Chuck Jones's preferred drawing instrument, the Blackwing 602, which all of those in attendance were able to use), Reis wowed those lucky aspirants with his dexterity and command of character design.  Over a three-hour period, over 30 students of animation, both young and old alike, learned from one of the most creative storyboard and character design artists working in animation today. By the end of the session and because of his guidance and nurturing manner each student had produced a group of characters from "The Simpsons". Smiles all around!

Everyone at the Center extends a heartfelt thank you to Stephen and we look forward to his return in the future!

Mike Peraza Talks About the Red Dot Auction

We can't show you artist Mike Peraza's donation to the Red Dot Auction, the spring fund-raiser for the Center, but we can tease you with what he wrote in his blog a few weeks ago. Click here to read the article.