Chuck Redux

Let me bring you up-to-date...

Last night the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity was the setting for a preview of its Spring fundraiser, the Red Dot Auction. It was an intimate evening that allowed the Center's donors and benefactors the opportunity to meet many of the contributing artists to this, the 3rd annual Red Dot Auction.

For the world-weary, a lounge.

The Center sparkled and shone in the early evening's setting sun and the donated artwork, arrayed as it is on the "spokes" of a wheel with a red dot stage as its hub, glittered and enticed.

You know, the great thing about the Red Dot Auction, as Chuck Redux has always maintained, is the love it generates. Each and every artist has given of themselves to help fund creativity and you, when you're standing in the middle of all that generosity, can't help but feel the joy of such gift-giving. Did we mention that bidding begins at only $100.00? 

Husband and wife artists Dana (center) and Mike Kungl greet one of the Center's longtime supporters, collector Tom M. as last night's get-together got going. Funny story: Mike called Chuck Redux earlier in the day and said, "You won't mind if I come a little early, would you?" he queried, "I was thinking about the work I donated and realized it would be much much better if I painted a little bit of sparkle in the character's eye. It will only take me a moment." So, arrive early he did with paint and paint brush, we quietly slipped him into our office and seconds later, he was satisfied with the results. Chuck Redux will admit that the addition of the 'sparkle' was just the thing to finish his wonderful donation!

Council president, Tracy Tanner (right) and one of the Council's community ambassadors, Steve Smith, stopped to smile for the camera. The Chuck Jones Council for Creativity is the volunteer arm of the Center. 

Artist Ylenia Mino flew in from New York City just to be a part of the festivities! Thank you, Ylenia, for making the trip, and for your generous donation, it means the world to us.

Painter, pirate, and philanthropist, James C. Mulligan (center)shows off a recent painting to Linda Jones Clough, daughter of Chuck Jones, and her son, Craig Kausen, chairman of the Center. Jimmy's inspiration for the painting was a late '40s cover drawing by Chuck Jones for the square dance magazine, "Sets in Order" which depicts a deep-sea diver square dancing with a beautiful mermaid.

Artist Joseph Yakovetic and his lovely wife, Sammy, making the scene at last night's Artist Meet & Greet.

Artist Jeffrey Fliehler, Minerva the goddess, and Mike Wedaa of Opis Network enjoy the hospitality of the evening.

Artist Allyson Vought with her S.O., Lisa, along with Dave L., one of the Council's volunteers and a patron of the Center get close for Chuck Redux.

Artists George Garcia (far left) and Scott Ryder (2nd from right--Scott is also the gallery assistant at the Center and without whose help, Chuck Redux would be in a world of hurt) with the special women in their lives celebrate at last night's informal gathering of artistic temperaments. 

Scott Dicken (right, and who is really tall), the VP of retail for the Chuck Jones Galleries, discusses the finer points of building a collection with Sandra and Louis L., art collectors and patrons of the Center. Okay, not true, they were talking baseball, maybe, or they could have been talking about something else entirely for at this point in the evening Chuck Redux's attention span was on the wane.

Artist Luis Salazar (left) along with Dave L., Carol Erickson (2nd from right--and a Chuck Jones Gallery art consultant and collector), and Susan Palcsik (who is known for herding cats in a room full of rocking chairs) say goodnight to Chuck Redux at the end of the evening.

And that's what you missed at the preview party for the 3rd Annual Red Dot Auction. Tickets are still available and at the door for tonight's big gala. Go to the Center's website, ChuckJonesCenter.org for more information. See you tonight!

 

Red Dot Surprise!

Turns out that Hank Ketchum, the creator of "Dennis the Menace" was a fan and admirer of the work of Chuck Jones. Although Mr. Ketchum has passed away, one of the official artists for his estate--we won't tell you who--has submitted this wonderful mixed media work to the Center's Red Dot Auction, to be held on Saturday, May 11 from 6 to 9 PM at the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity. Buy your tickets here! To view more of the submissions for the Red Dot Auction, click on the image below. To pre-bid, contact your Chuck Jones art consultant.

Chuck Jones Galleries:

San Diego: 888-294-9880 or SanDiego@ChuckJones.com

Costa Mesa: 866-248-2556 or CostaMesa@ChuckJones.com

Santa Fe: 800-290-5999 or SantaFe@ChuckJones.com

 

 

The Sensational Ron Burns Paints Bugs Bunny!

The Chuck Jones Galleries are pleased to announce that art superstar, Ron Burns, he of the neon-colored dogs and cats, is working on new original work utilizing the characters created and developed by Chuck Jones. His first work, a portrait of Bugs Bunny, is on the easel; you'll be able to follow his progress by clicking here. 

Over 20 years ago, artist Ron Burns picked up a paint brush for the first time and started painting as a release from the corporate world where he was running his Los Angeles based marketing and design studio.  It was only a couple of years later, in his quest to find what truly inspired him, that he looked down into the eyes of his newly rescued puppy Rufus that began his fine art career of painting bright, colorful, loving dogs.

It wasn't until he sold a few paintings of the family four-legged-kids, that his wife, Buff, said she could no longer part with the paintings and so, once more, Ron found himself looking for inspiration.  He found it next, when taking a trip to the local animal shelter while on vacation in Aspen.  After painting several of the dogs and selling the paintings, he donated a percentage back to the shelter beginning what Ron calls, Art is Going to the Dogs.

He might have remained content painting only shelter dogs, but on September 11, 2001 after taking his morning run, he turned on the TV to see the world change forever.  As he watched the events unfold he saw the story of Sirius, the explosive-detection dog that lost his life in Tower II.  He reached out to David Lim his handler which lead to the painting of Sirius and then on to meeting pet therapy dogs and search and rescue dogs involved in the tragedy.

Since then Ron has painted numerous dogs that have survived insurmountable odds, dogs that devote their lives through their service to humans as well as continuing to portray the beauty of rescued dogs and the much loved family member.

His work has been seen throughout the media world from CNN to Time magazine, collected around the world and honored by various awards.  It is now fair to say that he has accomplished what few artists have; and that is an art movement.  Today artists around the world see his art and are inspired to paint like Burns.  Who could ever have imagined, that looking down into his best friend furever's eyes could have changed his life so drastically as well as the art world.

Don't forget to follow Ron's progress as he paints everyone's favorite cartoon rabbit, Bugs Bunny!

Volker Kühn "Objects" at the Chuck Jones Gallery--Costa Mesa

The Chuck Jones Gallery, located in the vibrant new retail center SoCo (South Coast Collection) at Hyland and Sunflower in Costa Mesa, California is pleased to announce the opening of "Objects" an exhibition of the mixed media constructions by German artist, Volker Kühn. The exhibit runs through March 15, 2013. 

Volker Kühn "Objects" at the Chuck Jones Gallery, Costa Mesa, California. 3321 Hyland Avenue, just north of the 405 at the Harbor Blvd. exit.

Kühn, born in 1948, studied at the Bremen Academy of Arts where he studied sculpture. His first commission was a mirrored "objects" installation at the Bremen Nautical Academy in 1974. His work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world.

"The Garden of Paul Klee" by Volker Kühn. Outside dimensions 23.75" x 20", image size 8.5" x 7.5", mixed media construction.

Visiting Kühn's studio you would immediately notice his carefully sorted drawers that reach wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling, each drawer labeled with "elephants", "dromedaries", "spirit levels", "feathers", "women--large", "cowboys", "toothpicks", or "teddys (as in teddy bears) for instance. He never knows where his peregrinations will lead him. However, his work table is less orderly and is often looked upon as "productive chaos."

"Enchanted Forest" mixed media construction by Volker Kühn. Outside dimensions 11.5" x 10.25", image size 4.75" x 3.75". 

Kühn makes compelling statements about the human predicament that are strangely free of irony and didacticism. His surrealistic freeze-frames could be described as “visual puns” which intrigue the viewer and reward them with the joy of solving a riddle.

"The Team" mixed media construction by Volker Kuhn. Outside dimensions 20" x 19", inside dimensions 6" x 5.75". 

His wife, Edda, best explains the appeal of his work, ''The nature of art is to draw the observer out of a state of reserve. Volker Kühn's “Objects” are an example of how this works. The spontaneous reaction - mostly a smile - is transformed into contemplation. The smile returns again later, sometimes broadening into a grin, provoking the question: How is it possible for a person to invent such grotesque situations? In doing so, he exploits the materials to their utmost potential.  Is there something pedantic in his make-up? Oh yes, and chaotic to boot! His very nature is contradictory. In his hands nonsense suddenly makes sense.”

"Welcome Baby" mixed media construction by Volker Kühn. Outside dimensions 15.75" x 17", inside dimensions 3.5" x 6.25".  

For more information regarding the work of Volker Kühn , stop the Chuck Jones Gallery in Costa Mesa at 3321 Hyland Avenue. Contact your Chuck Jones Gallery art consultant for a private online viewing of the collection. 

Costa Mesa -- 866-ChuckJones or email CostaMesa@ChuckJones.com; San Diego -- 888-294-9880 or email SanDiego@ChuckJones.com; Santa Fe, NM -- 800-290-5999 or email SantaFe@ChuckJones.com. 

"Movie Stars" mixed media construction by Volker Kühn. Outside dimensions 20.25" x 20.75", image size 8.25 x 6.25. 

Cartoonist Lynda Barry to Teach University-Level Course on Doodling and Neuroscience

From the January 26 issue of the website "Open Culture" comes this report about cartoonist Lynda Barry and her new course on doodling and neuroscience:

Cartoonist Lynda Barry, who has helped legions of adults grope their way back to the unselfconscious creativity of childhood, is teaching at the university level. Barry’s Unthinkable Mind course is designed to appeal to students of the humanities.  Also hardcore science majors, the sort of lab-coated specimens the first group might refer to as “brains.” The instructor describes her University of Wisconsin spring semester offering thus:

A writing and picture-making class with focus on the basic physical structure of the brain with emphasis on hemispheric differences and a particular sort of insight and creative concentration that seems to come about when we are using our hands (the original digital devices) —to help us figure out a problem.

The twenty-one grads and undergrads accepted into Professor Barry’s course have been warned, via the illustrated letter above,  handwritten on legal paper, that the workload will be heavy.

You should be warned as well, if you elect to audit this course from home. Enrollment is not necessary. Professor Barry will be posting her weekly assignments and curriculum materials on her tumblr, a forum where her abiding interest in science is as apparent as her devotion to undirected doodling. Your first assignment, posted above, requires a box of crayons, the coloring pages of your choice, downloaded to four types of paper, and a significant chunk of time set aside for brain-related articles and vintage videos starring Cognitive Neuroscientist Michael Gazzaniga and astronomer Carl Sagan. You should also be committed to keeping a four-minute diary and serving as your own guinea pig.

Who’s in?

A big H/T @kirstinbutler

 

 

"Famishius Fantasticus" Premiers at Dakota High School

Michael Markowski, a composer and longtime fan of Chuck Jones, recently was commissioned by the Wind Ensemble of Dakota High School in Macomb, Michigan to create a musical work for them. The result was "Famishius Fantasticus" a four-minute "wild concert-closer" in the words of the composer. 

Mr. Markowski writes in a letter to Chuck Redux: "Thank you so much for allowing me to share my music with you. Chuck Jones has been a surprisingly big part of my creative life, from watching Looney Tunes as a kid to studying them in college as a film major. Famishius Fantasticus was so much fun to write, and I'm excited that I will be able to share my love for the original Looney Tunes cartoons with the current generation of high school and college music students who, in most cases, have never even seen one." 

In the foreword to the score, he's said, "When I was first asked to write a piece that "captured the energy of the students," I couldn't help but think that Wile E. Coyote was the man (or animal) for the job. The title, Famishius Fantasticus, is a direct allusion to the faux binomial (the scientific Latin name) of Wile E. Coyote, as shown in the opening freeze-frame of the 1956 Looney Tunes cartoon, There They Go-Go-Go! 

"...[Famishius Fantasticus] is dedicated to all my friends and colleagues who vehemently go after their dreams, who never give up, and who continue totry new things no matter how many crazy ideas might blow up in their faces."

And we agree! Here, then is the Dakota High School Wind Ensemble of Macomb, Michigan, performing Michael Markowski's Famishius Fantasticus. Enjoy! (Please pay close attention to the percussionists, they work overtime for this piece. You may also note that ping-pong balls, an air horn and the magnificent Mahler Hammer are utilized to produce some delightful sounds.)

 

How Creativity Works (sometimes)

Chuck Redux stumbled across this poem by Frank O'Hara, one of mid-century America's great poets and critics, the other day, as one does when surfing the internet and over the intervening days as it has sunk in and had time to percolate, CR has come to think of it as a poem about the nature of creativity and thinks you will too.

Why I Am Not A Painter

I am not a painter, I am a poet.
Why? I think I would rather be
a painter, but I am not. Well,

for instance, Mike Goldberg
is starting a painting. I drop in.
“Sit down and have a drink” he
says. I drink; we drink. I look
up. “You have SARDINES in it.”
“Yes, it needed something there.”
“Oh.” I go and the days go by
and I drop in again. The painting
is going on, and I go, and the days
go by. I drop in. The painting is
finished. “Where’s SARDINES?”
All that’s left is just
letters, “It was too much,” Mike says.

But me? One day I am thinking of
a color: orange. I write a line
about orange. Pretty soon it is a
whole page of words, not lines.
Then another page. There should be
so much more, not of orange, of
words, of how terrible orange is
and life. Days go by. It is even in
prose, I am a real poet. My poem
is finished and I haven’t mentioned
orange yet. It’s twelve poems, I call
it ORANGES. And one day in a gallery
I see Mike’s painting, called SARDINES

Two Artists Two Events One Day!

For immediate release

Contact: Robert Patrick, rpatrick@lje.com, 949-660-7791 x 22103 

Two Artists Two Events One Day!

“Simpsons” Storyboard Artist, Stephen Reis

Free Fun for the Whole Family! 10 AM to 1 PM                                                      

Painter, Mike Kungl   

New Work, Exhibition and Sale - 1 to 4 PM                                                                                     

Saturday, November 3rd

Chuck Jones Center for Creativity & Art Gallery

Costa Mesa, CA: The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity announced today that on Saturday, November 3, 2012, beginning at 10 AM “Simpsons” storyboard artist and director, Stephen Reis, will lead a workshop on creating storyboards and character development during the Center’s “The Great, Grand Chuck Jones Family Happening!” This event is free and open to the public and will end at 1PM. The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity is located at 3321 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa in Orange County’s hippest new gathering place, South Coast Collection (SoCo).

Immediately following “The Great, Grand Chuck Jones Family Happening” the Chuck Jones Gallery will host a reception for painter Mike Kungl whose work graces the halls of Warner Bros. Television, DreamWorks Entertainment and Ingram Micro to name but a few of his corporate collectors. His Art Deco and Art Moderne-inspired imagery is always in full bloom whether he’s painting a beautiful woman or Bugs Bunny and one of his adversaries. The reception for this artist will end at 4 PM and is free and open to the public.

“We’re thrilled to be able to bring Stephen Reis to the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity’s ‘The Great, Grand Chuck Jones Family Happening!’,” says Craig Kausen, Chairman of the Center and Chuck Jones’s grandson. “His ability to guide and nurture creativity is inspirational and a wonder to behold. Children and adults will thoroughly enjoy their time with him.”

“Both of my parents were very encouraging of my artistic pursuits. Not once can I remember them trying to talk me out of going into an art-related career, while at the same time reminding me that it is still a business and that you have to be a professional to work as a professional,” says Stephen Reis about his choice of career.

Stephen Reis

Currently the storyboard artist for the longest running animated sitcom on television, “The Simpsons”, Reis brings a child-like intensity to the work he creates tempered by an adult’s more realistic approach. The results: hilarious!

“Mike Kungl is one of today’s art stars, known for his Art Deco/Moderne influenced paintings and fine art prints,” notes Scott Dicken, VP of retail for the Chuck Jones Companies and director of the Chuck Jones Gallery at SoCo. “This will be his first exhibition at our Costa Mesa gallery and we will be featuring never-before-seen original drawings, mixed media, and works on canvas.”

"I strive to produce work that I'm personally going to have fun designing and painting. Therefore when it's complete my goal is having the collector be just as entertained looking at it as I was creating it,” states Mike Kungl on his approach to selecting subject matter and the creation of his artwork.

Mike Kungl

A resident of Orange County, California, Kungl is the official artist of the 25^th Annual Miami Beach Art Deco Weekend. The Miami honor is just one of many in a succession of developments that highlight Kungl’s growing reputation as a recognized artist across the country and around the world. His work is featured regularly in magazine articles, how to books and television shows. The Chuck Jones Gallery at the Center for Creativity is pleased to represent his original work and fine art limited editions.

Founded in 1999, the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity’s vision is to inspire the innate creative genius within each person that leads to a more joyous, passionate, and harmonious life and world. These are important goals, particularly in today’s world, when arts education is practically non-existent. The Center is dedicated to reinvigorating the creative spirit and is accomplishing that through art classes, exhibitions, lectures, and film festivals, all of which spring from the material in the Chuck Jones archive. His writings, art, and other ephemera from a nine-decade life along with his philosophy of guiding and nurturing instruction form the basis of the programs of the Center.

The Chuck Jones Gallery has been an Orange County institution since 1991 and a magnet for collectors and visitors from around the world. Located inside the Center’s 8000 square foot building at South Coast Collection, the OC’s most fashionable shopping and dining destination, the Gallery regularly exhibits the work of Chuck Jones, Dr. Seuss, Disney Studios, and the Chuck Jones Homage Artists which include Mike Kungl, Bob Elias, Jeff Degrandis, Mike Peraza, James Coleman, and Tennessee Loveless. Gallery hours are 10 to 6 Wednesday through Monday, closed Tuesday.

Chuck Jones Center for Creativity, 3321 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. 949-274-4834

Stephen Reis and Mike Kungl available for interviews subject to their schedule. Images available upon request.

 

Super-artist John Ramirez to Lead 2 Animation Workshops

Are you in the Dayton, Ohio area? The awesome and amazing John Ramirez will be leading two incredible animation workshops for the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity at the Dayton Art Institute this weekend. You should go and sign up for them! Click here for more details! It's all part of the Super Hero Summer at the Dayton Art Institute.

John Ramirez with Linda Jones Clough, daughter of Chuck Jones and Trustee of the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity.

 

 

 

 

Photo by Stephen Russo

Tennessee Loveless at the Chuck Jones Gallery--San Diego

Last Saturday, POP artist Tennessee Loveless made an appearance at the Chuck Jones Gallery in San Diego during Comic Con. His fans and collectors made a point of stopping by to say hello and to look, consider, and acquire his latest editions and original works. Loveless unveiled his first Bugs Bunny portrait (below) and told us that he's planning a series of paintings of Bugs Bunny not unlike his Mickey Mouse works; it's a project that everyone here at Chuck Redux is looking forward to seeing in the future from this talented young man.

Tennessee Loveless at the Chuck Jones Gallery--San Diego on Saturday, July 14th with a selection of his original works on canvas and paper.

Tennessee Loveless (fourth from right) poses with the Chuck Jones Gallery staff, from left: Sarah Knox, Joel Shapiro, Stephanie Owens, Dave Hausmann, Erin Liddell, Loveless, Mike Dicken, Scott Dicken, and Kate Bowerman.