Katie Lares

My friend Katie showed her collection last night at the Academy of Art University Graduation Fashion Show. It was steely and elegant and exciting--with gigantic flopsy bows, a mix of shimmery fabrics and complex wraps, wings and collars. Really beautiful work!

I think that hers was one of the standout collections; it was sort of futuristic, crumply cold and soft evening gown elegant all at the same time; it was forward and classic. Overall there was a lot of play with textiles and styling: huge silver jewelry and tight structured knitting, giant sock puppet balaclavas and even a collection of wooden dresses. I'm very glad I went. Great work Katie!





Photo Credit: Bob Toy, Academy of Art University

Story At Sea.

I can't believe it's already been almost a month since my last post--a lot has happened, obviously, including, I'm happy to say, a little bout of painting. As Ronnie mentions here, our Story department had a little art auction, which took place this afternoon. Nearly everyone contributed, and it was very well attended. A lot of fun, surprising and exciting. Here are two of my three:

These were based on a character of Justin Wright's--an old salty dog, who he used to sketch while we were on Ratatouille.

Justin

Justin Wright 1981-2008

As you may already have heard, Justin Wright, friend, CalArtian, and Pixar Story Artist, passed away last night due to heart complications.

I sit in front of him at work, and it's definitely going to be hard to adjust to not having his great big laugh behind me. I really like the guy, you know? And seeing him on a daily basis necessitates a relationship based, in many ways, in little things that I'll miss: the crac! of his diet cokes, short emails, incessant "YEEEAH!"'s and "DUDE!"'s, guitar playing, iphone fiddling, and drawn out, passionate, enthusiastic, humble and totally earnest talk.

His drawings were to be envied, but also, I have a hard time imagining a person more in love with life, and more capable of showing it; he was certainly an inspiration for that too. I am glad beyond words that his last days and moments were bright, full of laughter, friends and HAPPINESS--he thoroughly deserved it. He was a really nice guy, in the TRUEST sense of those words--I was very privileged to have met and worked with him.

But I have to tell you that I HATE to write like this, like everything is past and over and like I am telling you the REAL deal, the TRUTH! about Justin Wright, a fellow who, I am sorry to say, two projects later, I only knew a little. I wish I had known him BETTER, and I am so frustrated at not being able to more clearly, simply and convincingly say that he was truly A GREAT YOUNG MAN, who I will really miss. I am sorry I am sorry I am sorry. I am sad I am sad I am sad.

My heart sincerely goes out to Ashlee and Justin's family and Justin's large contingent of friends; if there is any testament to the kind of fellow he was, it's that, perhaps, tonight the whole west coast is mourning.



Please see this CartoonBrew post for more links from friends.

Keflavik

Barnay

Siw

Richard

Angela

The Early Bird Painters

Gouache painting by Dice Tsutsumi
Gouache painting by Jennifer Chang
Pastel painting by Bill Cone
Perhaps you don't know, but I'm a member of a group called the Early Bird Painters, a collection of Pixarians and friends who occasionally wake up early and go painting. Well, a show was organized and opened at Studio Gallery on Polk Street, and I'm proud to say that a few of my little paintings are hanging with the likes of friends like Dice Tsutsumi, Jennifer Chang, Noah Klocek, Bill Cone, Robert Kondo, Ernesto Nemesio and Enrico Casarosa. The show is up from Wednesday, February 20th - Sunday, March 9th.

Follow the link, visit the gallery and buy a painting if you're in town!

The Early Bird Painters Blog
Studio Gallery