Karen Aqua 1954-2011

 

Independent animator, Karen Aqua, died peacefully today after a 10 year battle with cancer. In her last month, Karen managed to finish her film Taxonomy, premiere it at the Boston Institute of Contemporary Art, and was named a 2011 Fellow in Film & Video by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Her warm and ebullient spirit, dedication to animation, (and wild clothes) will be missed by all.

A letter from Karen’s husband, Ken Field.

 

It is with great great sadness that I must report that our dearest Karen died peacefully at Brigham & Women’s Hospital late this afternoon. She had extreme difficultly breathing Saturday morning at the Cape, and we came back a day early and brought her directly to the emergency room. She had a rapid decline since then, and was on a morphine drip and other pain medications when she died. She was so happy that we made it to the Cape for a few days, her final wish, and that she got to wiggle her toes in the water on the beach, among a long long list of other accomplishments since her initial cancer diagnosis in 2001. Karen will be cremated. She has asked that her ashes be distributed to a number of places that were meaningful and dear to us, including New Orleans, Hawaii, Roswell, Italy, and of course Cambridge. I hope to arrange for a memorial tribute to Karen on the afternoon of either Saturday or Sunday June 18 or 19. With all best wishes, and with continued gratitude for your wishes and support, and with lots of love,
-Ken

Importance of scale..

 

Photo is me and Noelle Vaccese working on "Colossus" a 16' painting I did for a CVZ Contemporary opening a few years back. Scale is a part of art that just can't be ignored or underestimated. Read my previous post on scale regarding Ron Mueck. Also, scale in terms of imagery, I covered a while back with John Kenn. I mean, look what Christo has accomplished, there's an example of someone who ONLY uses scale,  he depends on scale. I'm inspired by Blu, and other artists like him, artists that really take the work to the people! Blu is rad because he uses the whole "building images out of people" thing that i do as well. the real trick is finding a place to actually put it up!

Characters From "Cheatin" #13

Characters From "Cheatin" #12

Stuttgart 2011

The Stuttgart Trickfilm Festival (trickfilm means animation) has been one of my favorites for a long time. I think I first attended in 1988 when it was just starting out. Now it's moved to a new location right in the heart of the city, next to a beautiful fountain-filled park with 6 large cinema rooms nearby.

As usual, all the theaters were full for the programs, except for the kid's animated features. I got to see Michel Ocelot's new film "Tales of the Night". It's very beautiful (as usual), with wonderful storytelling. My only complaint is that the stories were all very similar – lots of princes and princesses – but I'm sure it will be a big smash.

Parallel with the Trickfilm fest was a wonderful car show out in the park. Old Mercedes, BMW's, Porches, Auto Unions, Ferraris, Lolas, Cobras, and Corvettes. If you love old sports cars like I do, you'd be in heaven.

Nancy Phelps and I used the opportunity to prepare for Annecy Plus (which takes place on June 10^th at a beautiful bar where we'll screen films rejected by Annecy, like my beloved "Guard Dog Global Jam"). One of the films included is "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mister Morris Lessmore", created by Brandon Oldenburg and the famous William Joyce. I got to meet both of them and spend some time hanging out. For those out there who don't remember, William Joyce created and designed "Rolie Polie Olie", "Meet the Robinsons" and "Robots". He even showed me his sketchbook with some rough drawings from his new film. What a treat that was! The drawings were magnificent!

On awards night, I'd just sat down in my seat way in the back of the cinema and even though the entire awards was done in German I was somehow able to hear my name. The Germans around me pushed me out of my seat and towards the stage. Apparently, "The Cow Who Wanted to be a Hamburger" had just won some kind of prize. I thanked Biljana Labovic, but she'd already left for Paris. When I returned to my seat and looked up, the prize "The Cow" had won was for MUSIC, and knowing that since Stuttgart was a very rich city I had no doubt that I would be receiving a cash prize. Unfortunately for me, ALL categories of winners won money EXCEPT music! Damn I could really have used it.

"The Cow's" prize from Stuttgart

I hope to return to Stuttgart next year, and you should too. I give it a B+.

Sexy Fairy Tale girls by J Scott Campbell...

I'll admit that I'm a fan of Campbell's work, ever since Gen-13 back in the day. He's the king of drawing sexy, leggy, slender, big breasted gravity defying woman.. comic geeks dream girls.. and you have to admit they hold a ridiculous appeal. Enjoy.

okay.. little red above may be my favorite.

 

 

 

More Classic Skate mag print ads..

All graphics by Jim Phillips, of course. These are from Thrasher mag, circa 1988-89. This is an addition to my past post.. I love the one with the maggots in the toothpaste, it was on my wall when i was 16, and I remember my mom being totally grossed out by it.

Characters From Cheating #11

Missing Singapore already..

Palm trees in Sentosa, and skating at the East Coast Skate Park.. two reasons why Singapore rocks. Photos by Claude O'Steen.

Battle of the Sexes - Poland!

In the middle of the Stuttgart festival I made a quick side trip to Warsaw to join my partner, Signe Baumane, to perform our 6^th incarnation of the legendary "Battle of the Sexes".

The main event was the Planet DOK documentary festival. Why they wanted sex animation in the middle of serious documentaries I don't know, but we were happy to perform. The festival took place in a very large monumental office building called "Stalin's Finger", because the silhouette looks like a giant hand giving Poland the finger. The interior, however, is a lovely art deco style with wonderful theaters.

Dorado, the festival's artistic director, made us feel at home and introduced us to our "Applause Lady" and our "Mad Professor". Of particular note was the great applause meter sculpture someone han built. The show before ours was a Jane Goodall documentary on the environment. It was sparsely attended, but then our audience filed in and it was packed to the rafters! Sex beats chimps! What a great audience!

The show went very smoothly – people applauded for the applause meter, and surprise surprise, the men won the competition – YEAH! For the first time the men beat the women!

If you're interested in inviting the famous "Battle of the Sexes", just contact Signe or I and we'll bring it to your town. Remember though, it's not for the kiddies!

Creation of the Independent Trucks logo..

Jim Phillips has a great series of development sketches for the iconic iron cross for Independent Trucks. The story goes that at first Santa Cruz (they own Independent) rejected the iron cross as a logo because they thought it was too "nazi".. then Jim found a photo of then pope john paul II, who was adorned with the image on his vestments, and Jim's argument was that if the pope can wear it, so can Santa Cruz.. Santa Cruz bought the argument, and the rest is history, resulting in the most recognizable skate logo ever created.

 Above, the iconic "iron cross" final design. Below, other designs that didn't make the cut..

Characters From Cheating #10

studio visit 5/24/11..

Me and Bill look at random drawings at bill's studio in chelsea, right after discussing our upcoming project in August.. more on that soon. I spent a few days visiting my old digs in NYC, hung out with Bill, Tony and Angie Curanaj, Joy Vaccese.. visited my old studio.. and walked around for hours aimlessly. back in montauk now.

Annecy - Heads Up!

Good News! I've got a ticket to the famous Annecy Animation Festival. I'll be there June 5 – June 11, and I have a lot of activities lined up. So if you're planning to go (and I hope you are, it'll change your life), get out your weekly planner and take notes:

On Tuesday, June 7^th at 8pm we're having the world premier of Alexia Anastasio's wonderfully documentary about moi, "Adventures in Plymptoons"!

Wednesday, June 8^th at 4pm I'm doing a signing in the Bonlieu for my two new books: "Independently Animated: Bill Plympton" by myself and David Levy, and "Bill Plympton: Portrait of a Serial Cartoonist" by Lucie Merijeau. Then, that evening, I'm hosting the "Annecy Off" Festival. Stay tuned for more information on that event.

Thursday, June 9^th I'm doing another signing of both books at the BD Fugue sometime in the afternoon, probably 3 or 4pm. This is also in the Bonlieu Center. That evening, at the Petite Salle, I'm having a master class, where I'll show all my new work and do a drawing demonstration, as well as talk about my career as an indy animator. Everyone who comes gets a free sketch!

Finally, on Friday June 10^th starting at 8pm, Nancy & Nik Phelps and I are presenting the 6^th Annual Annecy Plus! Here we show all the great films that were rejected by the august panel of Annecy judges, one of them being my new film, "Guard Dog Global Jam". The great Annecy + band, led by the genius Nik Phelps, will be entertaining all of the drinking guests. The location is Le Code Bar, 4 Bis Rue de la Poste, just 3 blocks from the Bonlieu Center.

Beyond all of these events you'll find me at the Bonlieu with Spike of the festival of animation, selling our DVD's and generally creating a ruckus. So hawk your old family heirlooms and rush to the great Annecy Festival in France June 6 – 11. You'll be glad you did; I give the festival an A +.

Also, stay tuned to Scribble Junkies – I have a big, exciting announcement to make in a couple of weeks!

Characters From Cheating #9

Good stuff from Michael Marsicano..

I'm ashamed to admit that Michael Marsicano is a new name to me.. but that's typical these days where I find a new genius to study every month or so.. ah the internet.  His images have a great effect on me.. especially this first one, I love the use of hands, and I love when they are the subject of the piece!