Not much has changed in the nearly 40 years since Chuck Jones directed "A Very Merry Cricket". There is still the mad rushing around from this store to that one, the short tempers, the car horns, and the endless mall parking lots ("...wherever did I park that car?" you very well could be asking yourself about right now.)
But the perfect antidote to all that madness, is to take a 25 minute break, right now if you can, and enjoy this beautifully animated television special that was released late in 1973 after the success of Chuck's animated interpretation of George Selden's beloved "A Cricket in Times Square." Merry Christmas!
We can't let Friday slip by without a Chuck Jones cartoon. "Hare Conditioned" dropped into theaters nationwide on August 11, 1945 starring Bugs Bunny--"A rabbit's woik is never done"--and a character based on Throckmorton P. (Philharmonic) Gildersleeve, a popular character from radio's "Fibber McGee and Molly". Much hilarity ensues. Directed by Charles M. Jones with story by Tedd Pierce. Animation provided by Ken Harris, Ben Washam, Basil Davidovich and Lloyd Vaughn.
We're busy curating the exhibition for the Chuck Jones Experience opening in Las Vegas at Circus Circus (truly, it's coming, promise!) One of the exhibitions will feature some marvelous telegrams and a charming letter from Chuck's brother Dick (Richard Jones, who also worked as an in-betweener and animator at Schlesinger Studios and for a while was a part of Chuck's unit; after enlisting in the Service during WWII, went on to make quite a career for himself as a noted photographer and painter,) on the release of this, "The Night Watchman", his first directorial effort (although they called it then 'supervision'.) Here's the letter from his brother, followed by the cartoon.
Let's listen to Chuck Jones as he discusses the origins of his characters, Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote. Afterwards there'll be a quiz, so please take notes.
You know that's not true, afterwards there'll be a cartoon starring these self-same animated animals, enjoy!
Who's got big plans for Halloween? What about costumes? Maybe you'll be inspired by Chuck Jones's 1956 short cartoon, "Broomstick Bunny" starring the vocal stylings of the inimitable June Foray.
Contrary to popular belief, it does rain in southern California. Today is one of those days. We couldn't think of a better way to chase away the rainy day blues than with a fab Chuck Jones cartoon. So, without further ado, presenting the Chuck Jones directed 1959 short cartoon staring Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner...
California artist and long-time Orange County resident, Bob Elias, will be a featured artist at the Chuck Jones Big Draw, Sunday, August 7th from 11 AM to 5 PM. Throughout the day Elias will be working on a new painting of two of Chuck Jones's iconic characters, but who they are will remain between Bob and I until Sunday. So, start excersizing your drawing arm and come down to SoCo, 3303 Hyland Avenue, Costa Mesa on Sunday, August 7th for the Chuck Jones Big Draw and see what this noted artist and surfer will be working on! Help us set a Guinness World Record for the largest art class held in one venue, register today!
Artist Bob Elias at the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity with his most recent painting that pays homage to an American classic, the Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote cartoons created and directed by Chuck Jones.
Bob Elias works on a painting inspired by Jones's "Duck, Rabbit, Duck" cartoon of 1953. He says he always loved cartoons (both Warner Bros. and Disney--he's also a noted painter for the theme parks) and that growing up in the artist community of Carmel-by-the-Sea in the 1950s gave him the inspiration to pursue his calling after a storied career in the hand-painted sign business. "Those rich, deeply pigmented paints that are used for sign painting inspire my use of color to this day," said Elias. "I had so much fun at the last Chuck Jones Big Draw talking with the children and adults about painting and my technique, that I can hardly wait for this one!" You can find Bob every so often off the shore at San O (San Onofre Beach just south of San Clemente, California) sitting on his board waiting for the perfect wave and a little bit of inspiration.
Since the Chuck Jones Big Draw will be setting a Guinness World Record for the most people taking an art class in one venue on Sunday, August 7th at exactly 2 PM PDT (location: 3303 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa, CA) and since we're all going to learn how to draw Bugs Bunny, it seems completely appropriate and timely that we should start learning from the master himself, Chuck Jones. See you there!
Thanks to Larry Levine, co-creator of Aw Prunes for reminding me this clip existed! Join us by registering at www.EventComplete.com.
The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity's very own Chris Scardino (the teaching artist for Saturday's "Drop In & Draw" classes and many other workshops) utilized a common substance and created something we think is very special. Here's what he had to say about what he drew and painted (the image is below the video):
