The Chad Frye - Illustration Guy– J.R.R. Tolkien (1892 – 1973)
As I continue to add creations to my sketchbook, various beasts and creatures continue to come forth. This dragon oozed out of my pencil unexpectedly with that mean, hungry and determined expression. Decided the sweet little bird would be the focus of his attention. It’s never any fun being the prey. All you can hope for is to choke the aggressor.
Thank you to those of you who have been eBay bidding on the wonderful art items that I have been selling for the National Cartoonists Society Foundation to Help the Hodges! Fifty items ended last weekend with GREAT results. Combined with another 71 things ending THIS SUNDAY, the total has reached $40,000 in our efforts to send a little love and financial ease to the Hodge family of Tennesse whose teenaged son has been in a coma since last August.
For those of you who enjoy my art, my watercolor painting based on Mickey Mouse and the gang comes to an end this Sunday as well. Bidding is still fairly conservative on it. You may get yourself a deal (I sell them for $250-300).
We still have over 100 great things to sell in the coming weeks. We just added sixty-one items on eBay yesterday in fact. Things by comic strip artists, comic book artists, and GREAT things from Pixar such as a Toy Story 3 poster signed by Woody and Buzz themselves – TOM HANKS and TIM ALLEN!!!!
So, we hope you will come take a look at our goods and bid. To make it easy for you, here’s a link to all we are selling on eBay right this minute.
And if you’d like to see complete updates on what we have sold, and will be selling, visit HelpTheHodges.com!!!
If you haven’t visited the Help the Hodges auctions on eBay yet, yesterday I posted another 71 reasons you should check it out. We currently have 122 items of original cartoon art, fine art, prints, posters, sculptures and books all for sale to help the family of Matthew Hodge, the teen who is presently in a coma from a car accident with a train in the Franklin, Tennesse area.
Yesterday’s posts include art by the great movie poster illustrator Drew Struzan, Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park, Lilo & Stitch creator Chris Sanders, Glen Keane animation art, drawings from Princess & the Frog animators, so much art from former Disney artists, and even art from classic Disney films including a Mickey Mouse drawing by Frank Thomas, one of Disney’s Nine Old Men.
Towards the end of the Mickey art is a painting I did based on when I worked on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. So, if you’ve been itchin’ for something by me, CLICK HERE to go right to the piece on eBay!
To see all the art Help the Hodges has on eBay, CLICK HERE!
Over the past few months, I have been working on a charity auction to help out the family of fellow cartoonist Tim Hodge. Tim’s teenage son, Matthew, was in a car accident involving a train last August, and has remained in a coma ever since. Tim’s insurance was not such that could take care of the long term recovery of Matthew, who is currently in a nursing care facility.
Animators and brothers Tom Bancroft (Mushu from Mulan) and Tony Bancroft (Pumbaa, Kronk and director of Mulan) and I have been working on this fundraiser through the National Cartoonists Society Foundation (NCSF). We have been collecting original art from animators, illustrators, comic strip artists, comic book artists, and sculptors who have overwhelmed us with their generosity. With over 170 items to put up for auction, we are hoping and praying for the best in trying to Help the Hodges.
We have also been blessed with good word of mouth. Our event has been talked about on many websites and blogs that deal with cartoon art, along with reports on NBC news in the Franklin, TN area last night (the Hodge’s home town), interviews on various radio programs, and an article that will be in this Saturday’s Los Angeles Times. We would love it if you would help us spread the word, too.
If you would like to see everything that we will be posting on eBay over the next few weeks, please visit our website at HelpTheHodges.com We also have more details there in the right hand column about Matthew and the Hodges.
Yesterday we went live on eBay with 50 items including original art by Charles Schulz, Patrick McDonnell, several of Disney’s Nine Old Men, and a group drawing by 21 amazing cartoonists. The second third of the items will be posted on January 28, and the rest on February 4. Click here to see all of our current eBay auctions.
If you aren’t much for buying cartoon art, or bidding on eBay, the NCS Foundation is taking tax-deductible donations as well. In the subject line of your check write “Help the Hodges”, and send it to:
Many thanks for your support!
I had a unique opportunity today to do some life drawings in an unusual setting – a recording studio! Perhaps I should explain.
Over the past few months, I have been working on a charity auction with my friends and fellow animation colleagues Tony Bancroft and Tom Bancroft. We’ve been acquiring donations of original art and other cartoon related items to sell on eBay to help the family of Tim Hodge, an animation artist whose teenage son has been in a state of a coma since August 2009 due to an accident involving a train. Several directors from Pixar, Brad Bird and Pete Docter, sent down some DVDs and a poster of their films that they signed, films that composer Michael Giacchino wrote the music for.
I contacted Michael to see if he would also like to sign these items since he worked on the projects, which he was happy to do. So, today I was able to go see Michael at work at the world famous Capitol Records building in Hollywood where he happily signed the goods. Since I love film music, and I love to draw, my sketchbook managed to pop out of my bag and into my hand for a few quick doodles capturing the action in Studio A, the room where Frank Sinatra recorded many of his hits, and was recently used by Michael Bublè.
I have seen Michael at work before (you can see other drawings by clicking on the Film Music category), and do not usually see him conducting the orchestra. Usually he leaves that work to Tim Simonec while Michael remains in the booth making sure the music sounds correctly through the speakers. But today, we had the treat of seeing him at work at the podium for few cues.
The recording booth is a magical place of concentration and activity. The composer usually has his team of orchestrators, arrangers, and other technicians making sure everything is being done the way it should. The orchestra contractor is there, the music preparation people, and the union representative. It’s a flurry of activity.
One of the key guys in the booth today was recording engineer Dan Wallin. Dan has recorded over 600 scores over the years, having worked with the likes of Elmer Bernstein, Jerry Goldsmith, Alex North and many more. Dan records all of Michael’s work, and does a beautiful job of it. He also has such an interesting visual presence that I always like to get in a sketch of him when I see him, too.
A sketch of legendary recording engineer Dan Wallin.
Well there you have it. A few new random drawings from the sketchbook of Chad Frye • Illustration Guy. And what did Michael sign for the auction you say? Glad you asked, he autographed a copy of the Up movie poster that was signed by actor Ed Asner and included a drawing by director Pete Docter, he signed a DVD of The Incredibles that Brad Bird had also signed, and he signed a copy of Ratatouille on DVD signed by Brad Bird, and actors Patton Oswalt and Lou Romano (Remy & Linguini)! To see approximately all 150 of the items that will be sold on eBay beginning JANUARY 21, please visit www.HelpTheHodges.com!
Well, the holidays are over, which means most everyone’s traveling is done, too. The holidays wouldn’t be so bad if you didn’t have to board a plane every time you wanted to gather around the ol’ yule log with your family. Over the river and through the woods is an enviable journey compared to dealing with weather-related flight cancellations and missed connections.
Well, this year Christmas was in a new place for the Fryes. Mom and Dad sold the family home of thirty-five years, and moved to a brand new house built on farmland in Delaware. And I chose to fly the weekend of the worst storm they’ve had there in decades. So, three days later I landed in Philadelphia to two feet of snow on the ground. Some storm.
Of course, to kill time in the various airports, I enjoy taking along my sketchbook. Thought I’d share with you just a few of the creatures one encounters in airports these days. Winter passengers are so much more fun to draw with being all bundled up carrying their burdensome Christmas bundles. See for yourself:
When I fly, I love flying out of the Burbank, CA Bob Hope Airport. Bob didn’t build it, though I wouldn’t be surprised if he had originally owned the land on which it was built – you know, after CA was taken away from Mexico I mean. I like this airport because of its convenient three-mile distance from my home. Plus, you never know who you’ll see there. This is Hollywood after all. Good ol’ Bob did not disappoint.
Traveling on my first flight from Burbank to Salt Lake City was actress Nancy Travis who has been in lots of movies like 3 Men and a Baby, Ted Danson’s show Becker, and most recently The Bill Engvall Show. Also on the plane was actress Ellen Crawford who played Nurse Lydia Wright on ER for its entire run. She had such an interesting face, that I tried to draw my version of her in the waiting area. The trick in this is to not get caught doing it. Success!
Now, you would think that after the outbound trip having a three-day delay would insure that my return voyage would be uninterrupted. You would be wrong. Never book a connection through Salt Lake City in the wintertime or you may spend the night there. You can’t blame me, really. My only other option was Denver. At least the people are interesting, and the fresh snow on the Salt Lake mountains is beautiful. Here’s one last traveler that could not evade my pencil.
Every year as December arrives, I sit and think back on the last eleven months and wonder where the time went. It has been a rather interesting year in 2009 with much of the country trying to make sense of the economy, our government is still engaged in war, there has been a lot of talk about nationalized health care, and the housing crisis has affected many friends and neighbors. The hustle and bustle of life keeps us busy, even through the Christmas season – all the goings to and fro, back and forth, here and there – it can be easy to forget why we even have this holiday.
This year, my Christmas card deals with just that. Despite the distractions of national and world events, or of the myriad of advertising from retailers all trying to solve their financial problems through you, you need to clear your way through the clutter and stop to remember that Christmas celebrates that day when God came to earth in the form of a man to offer a way for our souls to find peace in what really matters – eternal life through Him.
May you and yours have a truly blessed Christmas.
On Saturday, December 5, animation legend Art Leonardi recruited thirty cartoonists to come to the Warner Bros. Ranch property in Burbank, CA, to draw for a Ronald McDonald House holiday party. Artists from The Simpsons, from DC & Marvel comic books, from Disney, from Warner Bros., and everything in between heeded the call spending several hours during the cold, overcast Saturday afternoon putting smiles on the faces of families who have been through quite a bit.
Art Leonardi himself drew for the folks as well, who were all too happy to accept a drawing from this master, probably little realizing the legend that sat before them. He is one of the last animators from the Warner Bros. golden age, having worked quite a bit under the direction of Friz Freleng, and on The Incredible Mr. Limpett and some of the first Pink Panthers.
The event was quite a production. The Ronald McDonald House exists to give families a place to stay when they have to travel to deal with the physical needs of children who suffer from major health issues. From what some of the kids were saying, the House even provides summer camps for the kids who are healthy enough to get away from it all. Each year the local LA area Ronald McDonald House invites those families who needed their services during the year to a big holiday party at the Warner Bros. Ranch. The families come to the backlot where they can see The Partridge Family home, or the fountain from Friends and enjoy carnival rides, live music, hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy, cookies, cakes, bounce houses, toys, and so much more ALL FOR FREE.
One of the more popular attractions for them at this event is to come meet live cartoonists and walk away with a free drawing. This is why I was there for the first time this year. What an amazing three hours it was, indeed! I entered the property not fully knowing what the day had in store. Art had said something about drawing for kids with cancer, so I came with pencils and paper in hand. It was so much more than that.
When I first entered the property, a white-gloved bell choir was enthusiastically playing Christmas carols in their matching robes to welcome the guest families who were just arriving. I stood there for awhile listening to the perfect renditions coming from this group that looked as though it was primarily comprised of Down’s Syndrome folks. Soon after, the guests passed under the Red & Green (Gold was on holiday that day) Arches made of balloons to experience all that lay before them.
As I sat there trying to eat a cheeseburger before the crowds discovered us, I noticed that some families must have been there before, because they had brought chairs and blankets to sit and watch the band play Christmas songs and old classic pop tunes. It made me realize that these families are in it for the long haul with their ill children. My being there wasn’t going to matter tomorrow, or the next day, but that one day I could maybe help them forget just a little bit with a sketch of Mickey Mouse, or Winnie the Pooh.
When things got underway, it was non-stop. I drew a Mickey here, a Goofy there, Eeyore, Pooh, Piglet – I even drew a Joker and an Invader Zim by request for some kids despite my protests that those weren’t characters I’ve done before. Some guys got numerous requests for Spider-man, Batman, Tom & Jerry, Fred Flintstone, dragons, Wonder Woman, and I believe Mr. Leonardi was down at his end of the table cranking out Pink Panthers. It was so much fun, and the guests seemed to really enjoy themselves.
While it was my intention to be there for them, one family in particular reached out to me. I had just drawn a picture for their eldest son, and then one for the little one who was clearly very ill, when their father gave me a softcover book that he had self-published. It was a tale he had written about his sons that expressed gratitude for their situation in life, focusing on the unselfish things we should do for each other. It was very touching, and opened my eyes to the struggle that they and others must experience on a daily level. It actually reminded me of the two verses from Scripture in Proverbs 3 that I keep tucked away in my heart at all times as I traverse the path of life: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”
The holiday party ended at three, but while the ferris wheel was being dismantled, the balloon arch was popped, and the popcorn was being swept up, many artists were still sketching away at 3:45 for those that were lingering. It was a tremendous day, and I hope I can do it again next year.
