Chuck Redux

Image of the Day: Hare Tonic

"Oh Margaret, what a dope!"  A rare, early Chuck Jones layout drawing (graphite on two-hole punched animation paper) of Bugs Bunny from his 1945 "Hare Tonic."  This short film was animated by Ben Washam, Lloyd Vaughn and Ken Harris and starred Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd.  Excerpts from the short for your viewing pleasure below:

Happy Birthday Bugs Bunny! You Look Fabulous!

The premier of the Tex Avery directed "A Wild Hare" on July 27, 1940 has long been considered the 'birthday' of the character we now lovingly know as Bugs Bunny.  Although Bugs had many 'fathers' through the years, it is the direction of Friz Freleng, Robert McKimson and Chuck Jones that have given us the rabbit of our dreams.

To celebrate this happy day, the Chuck Jones Gallery is please to offer the following special acquisition opportunities to you, Bugs' devoted fans and collectors.  Act quickly, as this offer ends tomorrow, July 28th at 6 PM PDT!!

"Bugs Bunny: Director" Created by Chuck Jones for the cover of his 1989 biography,
Chuck Amuck, this 16 field (13.5" x 16.5") hand-painted limited edition cel art is an
iconic image of Bugs Bunny.  Normally priced at $1500.00 unframed, now just $470.00
through Wednesday, July 28th.  Click here to add to your collection. 


"Curtain Call" an original 12 field (10.5" x 12.5") hand-painted limited cel art edition.  As
with most Chuck Jones editions, the line drawing was created by Chuck Jones specifically
for this edition.  Expertly inked and hand-painted, each number in the edition was hand-
signed by Jones and bears the holographic seal of Linda Jones Enterprises. 
Normally priced at $1450.00 unframed, now just $470.00 through Wednesday, July 28th.
Click here to add to your collection.


If you're like millions of people, your Saturday mornings may have started with a bowl
of cereal in front of the TV while your favorite cartoons played out on the screen.
For many of us, the Bugs Bunny "Title Card" is an iconic reminder of those happy
times.  This is a 16 field hand-painted limited cel art edition, normally priced at
$1200.00, now just $470.00 through Wednesday, July 28th.  Click here to add to your collection.


"Rabbit of Seville" the 1950 cartoon directed by Chuck Jones epitomizes much of what
we've come to expect from a Jones Bugs Bunny cartoon.  There's music, a chase, a fast-
talking rabbit, and poor hapless Elmer Fudd.  This 16 field pan cel (13.5" x 33") is an
excellent example of Chuck Jones' layout technique and his unique sense of timing.
Normally priced at $1950.00, now just $470.00 through Wednesday, July 28th.
Click here to add to your collection.


"Drag Strip" is a limited edition sericel.  You'll remember that Bugs Bunny was a master of disguise and he utilized this expertise in a variety of ways, but most often he would befuddle his opponent by donning the the outward appearances of a lovely young woman.  Much hilarity inevitably ensued.  Normally priced at $400.00 unframed, now just $70.00 through Wednesday, July 28th!  Click here to add to your collection.

Visit www.ChuckJonesGallery.com to place your order or call your art consultant:

Santa Fe: 800-290-5999 or SantaFe@ChuckJones.com
San Diego: 888-294-9880 or SanDiego@ChuckJones.com
Tustin:  800-959-7175 or Tustin@ChuckJones.com

Choosing the Right Word

"The difference between the almost-right word and the right word is really a large matter -- it's the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning." --Mark Twain

 

Original drawing of Mark Twain by Chuck Jones, graphite on 12 field (10.5" x 12.5") animation paper.

Mark Twain original signature with photograph from the archives of Chuck Jones Center for Creativity and now on view through August 1, 2010 at the Get Animated! pavilion at the California State Fair in Sacramento. 

Craig Kausen Leads Tour of "Chuck Jones: An Animator's Life From A to Z-z-z-z"

On Saturday, June 19, Craig Kausen, grandson of Chuck Jones led a tour of the exhibition "Chuck Jones: An Animator's Life From A to Z-Z-Z-Z" at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills, California.  A group of about 40 Chuck Jones art collectors, fans and aficianados gathered to hear Craig wax nostalgic about growing up with Chuck Jones and discuss the impact Jones has made on the art of the animated film. 

Craig spoke about the manner in which Chuck Jones constructed his films, his editing process (during the creation of the short film) and his attention to detail.

Johnnie Diem and her grandson, Garrett, were among those who enjoyed the afternoon excursion and tour.  Garrett is currently interested in stop-motion animation and has been making his own films using legos.

Of course, everyone loves to get close to the magic of Oscar and collector Tom Myak is no exception.  

As with all things Chuck Jones, there is always much love to be shared.  Craig and Diane Norwine give each other a hug in greeting and excitement at the prospect of sharing this incredible exhibition together.  

The exhibition runs through August 22nd at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, 8949 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, California.  For more information, including hours, please their website by clicking here.

Image of the Day: Chuck Jones at Home on Tareco Drive

Although Chuck Jones’ film credits identified him for more than six decades as a director of Warner Bros. animated pictures, his stature as a graphic artist is little recognized by the public.  In addition to the trying requirements of any director unifying story, layouts, animation, music, dialogue, etc. into a finished pictured, he was also personally instrumental in the graphic styling of his pictures. 

 

Dedicated as he was to animation as the new graphic medium of his time, Jones had never forgotten that drawing the land and people around him was imperative to assure new ideas as to shape and color and design.  For many years, he drew and painted the human figure and the landscape in search for new gesture and new expression.  This study is reflected in the freshness of his professional work.

Steeped in an awareness of the importance of dramatics, humor, action and rhythm in telling an animated story, he managed to instill into his still drawings and paintings these same qualities.

 

Although many artists skilled in making still drawings have enriched animation, seldom has an expert in animation contributed so much to the great tradition of the still drawing.  Here, caricature, an essential factor in all great art, has been exploited on a high level.  Penetrating observation reveals new and daring aspects of ordinary people and their actions.  Each drawing is a statement of an experience and a venture into new graphic structure.  Here, content and form are balanced to insure the intrinsic value of each drawing and painting as a work of art.

 

As a classically trained artist at Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles, Chuck Jones studied numerous techniques from graphite to oil paint.  Throughout his life he continued his classic arts education with drawing and painting masters classes; each contributing to the evolution of his craft.  He was passionate about drawing and painting, whether it be of the famous characters he created and loved or a landscape, street scene, or beautiful rendition of man, woman, or child. 

 

In the late 1950’s and early 1960s he had opportunity to travel Europe with his wife Dorothy.  During these visits he captured street scenes, whimsical anecdotes, and memorable experiences through his mastery of the watercolor technique that stand as some of the most remarkable creations of his extensive career.

These photographs were taken at Chuck Jones' home on Tareco Drive in the Hollywood Hills, circa 1960.  To view art from the Chuck Jones Incognito collection, please click here.  

Classic Hollywood: Ray Harryhausen & Chuck Jones Animation Exhibits

Terrific article by Susan King in today's Los Angeles Times about the Chuck Jones and Ray Harryhausen exhibits at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.  Read the full article by clicking on this sentence.

Chuck Jones: On Painting with Oils

"Working in oils comes the closest to bridging the painter to the sculptor.  Oil paints are tactile unlike watercolors--the touch and movement of the brush on the canvas is sensuous and treacherous.  Your mistakes are as meaningful as your triumphs--like making love.  It takes an unruly mind to find the unique discipline peculiar to each painter."  --Chuck Jones

Titian vs. Roadrunner

Titian vs. Roadrunner: newyorker.com.

Titian vs. Roadrunner by Dan Chiasson

If you are made for flight, intended for it,

you had better find a pursuer, fast.

Otherwise all that fleeing is going nowhere.

This bull, he’s got a bad intent, he wants

to hog the entire corner of the picture.

The girl is looking tasty to the espying putti.

This small bird crisscrossing my childhood

at enormous speed, outrunning everything,

running out of road to run down, running

out of canyon, running out of cartoon

runs out of the cartoon, never to return.

That’s why this landscape looks forlorn.

The world turned upside down and shaken

like a piggybank, the one last coin

rattling around inside, just coughed it up.

 

Image of the Day: Bugs Bunny

Two of my co-workers and I spent part of the morning pulling artwork for the upcoming Chuck Jones exhibit at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that opens May 14th.  Although we all work with Chuck Jones art everyday, we're oftentimes removed from it (via computer screens, etc.) and today to have had the opportunity to get close to so much visual richness, ingenuity and creativity was completely inspiring!

This drawing of Bugs Bunny by Chuck Jones (graphite and colored pencil on 12 field animation paper) was a preliminary layout for a life-size (6') cut-out sign that was posted at the gate to the Warner Bros. lot in the 1950s.  

Image of the Day: Untitled Watercolor (Two Stagehands)

Untitled watercolor and ink on paper (Two Stagehands) by Chuck Jones, 11" x 14", circa late 1950s.  Although Chuck Jones is known primarily for his work in animation, he was also a serious and respected fine artist.  Classically schooled in such exacting artistic mediums as oil painting and watercolor, both of which he was a master, Jones was an avid chronicler of his real life, travels, friends and family throughout his long life.  This watercolor captures a moment on a soundstage (perhaps on the Warner Bros. lot) where two of the stagehands are caught watching the action unfold out of our field of vision.  Their posture and attitude is sublimely conveyed by Jones' inimitable handling of the medium as well as his elegant and simple line work. 

You may view more of Chuck Jones fine art series, "Incognito" by clicking here.