Unearthing all this information about the past initiated a new role for Canemaker, that of animation historian. Creating two documentaries on the subject, Otto Messmer and Felix the Cat and Remembering Winsor McCay, serving as on-air host for television specials and writing over 100 articles on the subject, John found himself whetting the appetites of other animation enthusiasts as well.

Marge Champion and John Canemaker, 1994 ULAD Tutla exhibit, Katunah Museum. Photo courtesy of John Canemaker.

Adding to the unquenchable thirst, Canemaker has authored six books on animation, three of which have been published this fall. The new paperback edition of Felix: The Twisted Tale of the World's Most Famous Cat, (Da Capo Press) delves into life at the Pat Sullivan Studio; Tex Avery: The MGM Years (Turner Publishing) looks at what could almost be called "animation's Pagliacci", a man who brought the world so much laughter and yet led a very tragic life; and Before the Animation Begins: the Art and Lives of Disney's Inspirational Sketch Artists (Hyperion), explores those who set the tone and mood for some of animation's greatest films.

Not satisfied with just creating pretty coffee table books, Canemaker says he strives to uncover the background of the artist in his writing and how their lives impacted on their work. "I'm interested in the humanist aspects, the human story. These people's lives and careers to me are exciting. I've heard some people describe animators as almost being accountants; they sit there with pencils and there doesn't seem to be much going on in their lives, but I think you have to dig a little bit and find out who these people are, particularly the great animators. What makes them great? What elements went into it? Where did they study? Where did they get their ideas from? What was going on in their lives when they created the great works that they did?"

John Canemaker and Chuck Jones, December 11, 1991 at New York University. Photo courtesy of John Canemaker.

John Canemaker Productions
Ironically, Canemaker could ask these questions of himself, as he too is quite active in the creative process of animation. While attending graduate school at New York University, his animated film Greed (the story of a snail who tries desperately to be other animals) garnered enough attention that Canemaker soon found his skills sought after by others.

In 1981, he opened his own studio (aptly named John Canemaker Productions) and has since amassed an impressive body of work. His animation has appeared on such television shows as Sesame Street, in such films as The World According to Garp and in numerous commercials. In addition, John adds his skills to today's new technology, as an advisor at R/Greenberg Associates Digital Studios, where he helps root computer animators in the medium's traditions. Canemaker has also made several personal films, including his most recent, Confessions of a Stand-Up, which received an Emmy Award and director's prize from the International Animation Association.

Working in the creative end of the industry has given John a new perspective. "My being an animator has made me sensitive to the problems people face in their art form. It made me 'feel' the art more when I write about it."