During the past few weeks, there has been no dearth of animation activity.
First, MIMI AND GACK became a reality three weeks ago when a ruff storyboard and a written story were hashed out - much of it created at a café while my car was serviced.
The reason for the servicing was a pending trip up the East Coast for three speaking engagements and an animation master class. I chose to drive so I could fill my car with various animation teaching materials and films. As my date for departure neared, I readied myself for the COLD – which meant not getting a haircut - so that my thick locks could keep me warm.
I deemed this trip the Winter Wonderland Animation Tour. The first stop was five hours away in Smithfield, North Carolina site of Pete’s Odyssey’s first win - at the AG INDIE FILM FESTIVAL.
Smithfield has long been a stop over location on my trips North and return trips South. It is a bit past half way to the D.C. area. Smithfield is a compact town that offers everything one could need. Over the past two years, I have gotten to know several folks who live in the area. Chris Kinkade and his family own the ORCHARD HOUSE BOOKSELLERS COFFEESHOP [1]. What started as an Ebay selling store and shipping point is now a café/bookstore/bakery/art gallery/shipping store with ice cream….whew! Talk about adventurous folks, they are amazing!
Chris and I had talked on several occasions about my stopping by to do an animation gig. So, this time I did. I arrived, checked into the local Sleep Inn and that night I did a presentation of drawing and films. We screened a few of my works - Animagic, Our World and Pete’s Odyssey. All three projects involved students and varied in the design and technique. It was a cozy group that ranged in from 11 years to seniors. We chatted, drew characters and watched the films…all in all…a near perfect animation night.
I will be back in Smithfield soon.
More on the other appearances very soon.
Always Animated!
Links:
[1] http://www.orchardhousebooksellers.com/prototype.cgi