2016 Order of Polka Dots Parade

The Order of Polka Dots Parade rolled this evening, featuring floats designed by Brent and built by Steve Mussell's MIRTHCO, Inc. Here are the design drawings used by the builder for Order approval and building reference.

"Artists's Hat" float by BRENT AMACKER for MIRTHCO, Inc..

"Baseball Hat" float by BRENT AMACKER for MIRTHCO, Inc..

"Beach Hat" float by BRENT AMACKER for MIRTHCO, Inc..

"Cowgirl's Hat" float by BRENT AMACKER for MIRTHCO, Inc..

"Derby Hat" float by BRENT AMACKER for MIRTHCO, Inc..

"Easter Bonnett" float by BRENT AMACKER for MIRTHCO, Inc..

"Fireman's Hat" float by BRENT AMACKER for MIRTHCO, Inc..

"Genie's Hat" float by BRENT AMACKER for MIRTHCO, Inc..

"Gypsy's Hat" float by BRENT AMACKER for MIRTHCO, Inc..

"Mad Hatter's Hat" float by BRENT AMACKER for MIRTHCO, Inc..

Float Rough Drawings by BRENT AMACKER

Float Rough Drawings by BRENT AMACKER

Float Rough Drawings by BRENT AMACKER

Float Rough Drawings by BRENT AMACKER

 

"Tea Party Hat" float by BRENT AMACKER for MIRTHCO, Inc..

"Sailor's Hat" float by BRENT AMACKER for MIRTHCO, Inc..

"Magician's Hat" float by BRENT AMACKER for MIRTHCO, Inc..

"Witch's Hat" float by BRENT AMACKER for MIRTHCO, Inc..

R.I.P. DISNEY Legend Frank Armitage

"Belle's Castle" mural from Beauty & the Beast by FRANK ARMITAGE

Frank Armitage, an Australian-born American painter who created backgrounds for several classic Disney animated films and murals for Disney parks, died January 4 at his home in Paso Robles, California, at age 91. The sad news was announced by Disney Animation Studios’ vice president of communications Howard Green.

Thelma Witmer, Eyvind Earle, Frank Armitage and Walt Peregoy during Sleeping Beauty’s production. Taken from the 1958 book, The Art of Animation by Bob Thomas.

Read the entire article from Animation Magazine HERE .

It's VERY Hard...

My head is FULL of useless trivia and knowledge about things in which most people have no interest. This, coupled with my self-diagnosed attention-deficit disorder, sometimes cause me to come across as bizarre or overbearing. I at least get to entertain myself, though.
 This brings me to this post. I finally had a chance to stop and watch "FURY" (the WWII movie featuring Brad Pitt leading a tank crew) last night. Interesting flick, but-- of course-- I was distracted by a recurring feature of one of the main stars, Logan Lerman (of Percy Jackson movies fame).

You can't tell me that you don't see it.

Sporadic Posting...!

I know it's been a while since I've posted here (or anywhere...!) on this blog...
I finally got another 'day job' with stability-- regular hours and a steady paycheck. (I just have to block out the fact that it's another soul-killing customer service gig with my name on my shirt...)

So, of course, now BOTH of the floatbuilders for whom I design are needing drawings, so it's 45+ hours of employment and 30 more of rough sketching, tight pencilling and inking. PLUS, an alteration of a previous design for an updated poster/t-shirt image.
 A commemorative coin/medallion is in line, as well, and it looks like I may have picked up another parade for yet a different builder...! All of this, and I also have a bunch of drawing, painting and curating for my first-ever Art Show-- a month-long display down at the Mobile Arts Council! (Will have more on this later!)

Wish me Luck!

He Had A Cow, Man...! R.I.P. Sam Simon

Sam Simon, who helped Matt Groening create TV's long-running FOX animated comedy "The SIMPSONS", died last week of cancer at the age of 59.
 Read the article from ANIMATION Magazine HERE .

He Lived Long, And He Prospered

 Actor Leonard Nimoy, best known for his portrayal of "Mr. SPOCK" on Star Trek, passed away yesterday at age 83.

  He appeared as an extra in numerous television shows and movies, and portrayed a wide array of characters.

 An accomplished stage, tv and screen actor, he had a distinctive voice and was an excellent singer and narrator. He was the host and narrator of tv's "In Search Of", a show pertaining to unsolved mysteries and the supernatural.

He was also notable for his work on "Mission: Impossible", and most recently the sci-fi series "FRINGE".

Legendary "Little Golden Books" Artist Mel Crawford Passes

If you owned or read any picture books when you were a child, or had kids who did from the 1950s on up, you more than likely have seen his work. One of the most prolific children's book artists of all time passed away on Monday, February 23rd. He was 89.
Best-known for his renderings of  numerous Disney and Hanna-Barbera characters such as Yogi Bear, Magilla Gorilla, The Flintsones and more, he rendered hundreds of books, covers, and comic book covers for Whitman Publishing's "Little Golden Books" and the associated "Gold Key Comics".
Many books still in print today contain his work.
Read the article and see more pictures HERE .