Blog Con 2019

Posted on by Thor

I stopped by Full Sail University to see the opening of this year’s Blog Con. Ford sponsored the event and several vehicles were parked outside the entrance. In the parking lot a woman had her arm stretched out in front of her holding her phone which she was  talking to. She was clearly recording a video of herself reporting about Blog Con. I have tried to sketch at Blog Con every year since 2009. It is a chance to see what is happening in this relatively new field of digital communication. This year’s theme was “Tell Your Story.” The Full Sail Live auditorium was packed. Blog Con had sold out.



Rachelle Lucas a Freelance Spokesperson, Writer, and Videographer was giving the key note talk. I sketched her as she waited to go on stage. She spoke about getting a trip to Dubai and being nervous about going to the Middle East. With world tensions so high she feared that she and the people with her might be dragged out into that desert to be shot. The trip however was lovely. She showed an Instagram photo of herself in a bathrobe sipping a cup of champagne. It looked like the ideal relaxing vacation. However the reality behind that image was something else. She had welts all over her arms and legs from mosquito bites. That was why she was in the bathrobe. 

Rachelle talked about walking through the lobby of the hotel with several gentleman carrying the campaign. Two older gentlemen seated in the lobby, I imagine them looking like the two guys in the balcony of the Muppets show, winked and nodded their heads. Had they seen the cameras set up in the hotel suite their imaginations would have gone wild.


Rachelle’s primary point was that social media like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter are platforms to help drive traffic to the place where the WHOLE story can be  told which is her blog. It was rewarding to hear that for once I might be doing something right since I use those media in the same way. 

She pointed out that telling stories is as important in society as the basics of survival. Stories have been passed down through the generations, filling history books, offering insights into our culture. They are central to humans communicate. We engage
with others through stories, and storytelling is a lot more than just a
recitation of facts and events. As human beings, we are automatically drawn to stories because we see ourselves reflected in them. We inevitably interpret the meaning in stories and understand ourselves better. It was helpful to be reminded that the simple act of sharing ideas every day has meaning and value.


After her Key Note, the  crowd was divided up into different groups. Someone would hold up a sign saying something like, Foodies and all the foodies would gather around the sign. I always feel like the odd duck out since what I do does not fit neatly into any of those categories. I’m not a mommy blogger, a foodie or a lifestyle blogger. Though I am starting to use digital sketch tablets, I’m not a tech blogger. I feel too old school to fit into the modern digital categories. I have so much to learn and Blog Con was a fire hose of information. Someday I hope to master the business of telling stories.

The goal isn’t to live forever, but to create something that will.

Posted on by Thor

In April of 2015 there was a reunion for the former Florida artists of Walt Disney Feature Animation. The reunion was held in an Elk Lodge down in Kissimmee. The Orlando, Florida based animation studio closed on Monday, January 12, 2004, putting
approximately 250 artists, technicians and other personnel out of work.
This followed the cancellation of the feature, A
Few Good Ghosts, which was being developed by the studio. Artists scattered to the wind but many, myself included, stayed since Orlando had become home.

At Disney I got to work side by side with many of the best artists in the world. The reunion was an incredible experience because so many of these artists had re-invented themselves. Aaron Blaise who co-directed Brother Bear, had worked on a digital feature film about elephants, but that studio closed down as well before the film was completed. He has since moved back to Central Florida and now instructs Creature Teacher courses online.  I’ve looked at several of his instructional videos and always pick up something new. He also had a successful Kickstarter campaign to raise money for another animated feature film called Art Story.

Christine Lawrence Finney, who had been the head of the clean-up animation department at the studio, gave me a warm hug and smiled as she said “I thought you would have changed the world by now.”  She had an amazing gift for making people around her want to live up to their full potential. Her eternal smile reminded me of all the things the were great about working at Disney Feature Animation, a sense of family, friends and pride in making some amazing films.

On a table in the front of the room were seven photos of Disney artists who had passed away. One was Kevin Proctor who had been in my intern group when we first started at the studio. He went into the layout department which drew the backgrounds for the films. At lunch time I would often sneak in a sketch of my co-workers, and I caught a sketch of Kevin as he worked on a drawing of Lilo’s kitchen for the film Lilo and Stitch. Pres Romanillos had been the lead animator for Shan Yu in Mulan. Christine was the lead of the team of clean up animation artists who created the final drawings that went up on the big screen for this character. As she said “Drawing in his shadow was one of the highlights of my Disney career! He
was extraordinary!! His passion was contagious…forever an inspiration.”

I danced for one song at the reunion, but spent most of my time in the back room finding out what artists were doing now as well as adding a sketch to a memorial book that was for Bob’s family. Christine and her husband Trey were now accomplished plein air painters. Photos were layered thick on tables and we could dig through to find the memories of a crew of artists who took pride in their work and knew how to celebrate as well.

Bob Walker who had co-directed Brother Bear with Aaron Blaise had passed away unexpectedly just before the reunion. Aaron related a story about the day Bob had been given a computer at Disney. Bob had a large stack of papers next to the computer, and he called Aaron in to ask a question. He pointed at the stack of papers and said,  ” How do I get this in there?” Laura Ashborne Sacks said a few words in Bod’s memory, her voice cracked as she looked back, “The goal isn’t to live forever, but to
create something that will. Everyone in this
room should be proud of the work we created.” This heart felt sentiment got me choked up as well. I will always miss the intense collaboration with incredible artists but know that those films we created will live on for generations.

That brings me to the reason I started writing this article. Christine Lawrence Finney passed away suddenly on January 5, 2016. She was just 47 years old. I honestly can’t wrap my head around this. She was so vibrant at the reunion. She was such a joy to work for.  Terry remembered that when we moved to Orlando, we were invited to a Disney artist party in Winter Park and to this day she remembers how warm and welcoming Christine was. Photos of Christine keep getting posted online and each heightens the loss of an incredible artist and a shining personality. On the evening after I heard the news, I had to host an event called Orlando Drink and Draw. I had more wine than I should have to numb the thoughts in the back of my mind, and on the dive home, I cried for the first time when American Pie by Don McLean played on the radio.  In my inebriated state, the song encapsulated my sense of loss. “Something touched me deep inside the day the music died.” I pulled off the road to sing along, calm down, and sober up. The title of this site, Analog Artist Digital World, hints at the idea that traditional hand drawn animation might die because of the advent of computer animation. Christine’s death makes me feel that the magic of hand drawn animation might indeed become a lost art.  She inspired so many of us to push ourselves. Perhaps creating is the only way to eventually come to terms with the loss.

Christine always paid tribute to the special people in her life, “To all my family, friends, mentors, and supporters thanks for the safety net! You
teach me how to fly.” She taught everyone she met how to fly as well.

Soar on. Christine.

The Mellow Mushroom always delights.

Posted on by Thor

If I find myself on the East side of Orlando, with time to kill before sketching an event, I will often go to the Mellow Mushroom, 2015 Aloma Ave, Winter Park, FL. Kathy Blackmore, used to take the 2DAnimatio Full Sail crew to Mellow Mushroom to show her thanks and ask about suggestions for the coming year. We would usually order the Pesto Pizza Pie which had an exotic name like “Cosmic Karma.” Anytime I return, I or do the same pie. As of this December it will be a year since I left Full Sail. My new teaching gig at Elite Animation Academy is more challenging, but I’ m learning as I teach the kids. I’m teaching a course in using Photoshop to design characters and because of that, I’m using a tablet to sketch more often. The first time I used the Cintiq Companion 2, the battery died before the sketch was done. Since then I have discovered some battery saving techniques, and the battery has held on for each sketch session since. My butt usually reminds me when I’ve been sitting and sketching for too long. The battery now outlasts my butt.

AADW work on view at Maxine’s on Shine.

Posted on by Thor

Sketches from Analog Artist Digital World are now on display at Maxine’s on Shine (337 Shine Ave, Orlando, FL), through mid-April. Maxine’s was recently voted the best neighborhood restaurant and also best place for a date night. The opening for the exhibition was on April 12th. Complimentary cheese, crackers, fruit and vegetables were in a private quaint back room that resembles a mini temple. I was told that wedding ceremonies were indeed once held there.On the 2nd Thursday of every month guests are invited to “Meet the Artist, Meet the Winery, Meet the Brewery” as part of
Thornton Park’s Art and Wine Walk.

Friends came out to share their support. I had a small table set up outside with some books, cards and information about the art. Jessica Pawli was set up beside me offering free samples of wines. The white wine had a faint scent of oak that I rather liked. Sam Ewing, a former Disney Feature Animation, and Full Sail colleague came out to check out the show. He might be helping out by teaching my Elite Animation students while I travel to Turkey this year. Wendy Wallenberg posed by the doorway several times. That part of the sketch was already finished however. I joked with her that she was blocking my view of the dog.

When the sketch was done, I joined a large group of artists, authors and musicians who were gathered at a large round table outside. Maxine pointed out that this is how she always envisioned this place being a melting pot for the arts. Michael McLeod, came up with the catch phrase that this was the “Max Scene.” Maura Lucchese, had her work on the walls of Maxine’s the month before my show. She was taking down her pieces as I put mine up. It was like a whirlwind, Grand Central Station day as we rushed in and out the front door. Maura’s work is bright and sensual being created from thousands of bits of magazines assembled onto canvas. We traded cards. I did a sketch of her show and she gave me a sensual nude in greys, reds and blues. Some of her work showed couples kissing. The pieces are large and bold, and come together seamlessly from a distance.I’m a fan of her work now.

There was a long conversation about a live action feature film that featured angry chickens. The chickens were Hollywood executives who would pray on the innocent souls who sought fortune and fame. The puppet chickens were based on real life characters whose rude behaviors were exaggerated. It sounds like this is a film I should see. There seemed to be just one degree of separation between each person at the table. For instance Maura’s friend had worked on the sound track for Carl Knickerbocker‘s latest film. She had done the sound effects and yet this was the first time that they met in person. Wendy mentioned that Maxine had once been Miss New York State. I’m always amazed at peoples brilliant histories.

Donna Dowless spoke to everyone at the table, saying that we are the core group of people who always show up at events. Each of us contribute to the arts scene in our unique way. It is through the dedication of our efforts and the efforts of others that this city is becoming an exciting place to live. It was a heart warming thought, coming from Orlando’s Ambassador of Love. Her heart shaped pendant necklace caught the evening light. I felt the love on this warm southern night and felt grateful to be among such amazing artists.

My resignation from Full Sail leaves me looking for new opportunities.

Posted on by Thor

Right before the winter break I resigned from Full Sail. There were no parties, no severance package, no confetti or golden watches. I simply turned over the Mac Book laptop computer,the parking pass and my lanyard and walked out the doors for the last time. The last class had only seven students, so I was able to give more one on one help when needed.

Starting Christmas week I will be teaching at Elite Animation Academy. The courses I will be offering are, the fundamentals of drawing, a life drawing class and an urban sketching class. I believe there are five to seven students signed up and I’m excited to start. Elite is at most a mile from my home, so I will be burning less gas. I plan to start riding my bike to the new job, so I’ll be getting more exercise. The new position at Elite will be a challenge because I have to come up with a whole new series of lesson plans. It is exciting to have the opportunity to inspire middle school and high school students to start carrying sketchbooks or digital tablets. Once you start sketching daily, it becomes an exciting lifestyle. Getting out and discovering the city by sketching has many rewards. My position at Elite is part time, so I will have more time to search for more freelance illustration assignments. It turns out that sketching weddings is an exciting alternative and if I can market it right, sketch tourism in Orlando could be another exiting opportunity.

I need to start looking for models for the life drawing class. Models will be clothed. I don’t need classically trained models. Instead I’ll be looking for talented people I have sketched in the past. I want to bring in creative individuals who would do what they usually do, be it playing an instrument, making a puppet or stretching before a dance. The possibilities are limitless, but for now there isn’t a budget so I will have to beg from friends. The only option I can offer now is an original sketch done by me during the class.

Elite Animation Academy Keeps the Tradition of Hand Drawn Animation Alive

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Elite Animation Academy (8933 Conroy Windermere Rd, Orlando, FL) is located only a few blocks away from my home. I’ve been asked to step in and substitute teach a couple of times and had a blast doing it. I was issued a black polo shirt with the Elite logo that made me feel like a member of the team from the start. The pay is actually better than what I make at Full Sail University so I was happy to step up to the plate.

The first day I interviewed there with Gladys West, I decided to stay and see another instructor, Chi Wang, at work. He was teaching a class on comic book character design. His laptop was open and connected to a large screen TV. Sketches of multiple comic book character heads filled the screen. Three students sketched diligently trying to emulate the heads. Basic proportions were covered and then the students sketched for the rest of the class. As the students worked, Chi, stood at the white board and cranked out an amazing sketch of a Transformer. Students were so involved in their own sketches that they didn’t glance up. I am always fascinated and inspired watching another artist work.

The first class I taught was on perspective. I covered the basics of 1 point, 2 point and 3 point perspective and I got the students involved in studying the perspective in the room around them. The room has vintage Disney Feature Animation Desks circling the central work area. Computers are found in a separate area. I had the students draw a single desk using the 3 principles of animation. Then I had them imagine the desk as a giant skyscraper in a city. I helped as we created intricate city blocks.

The second time I stopped in, I had just finished a huge rushed storyboard assignment, so I showed them the scripts, thumbnails and final storyboards I had created. It was a solid real world crash coarse on what it is like to be a professional artist. I then pitched them a simple story idea and they began doing thumbnails to built their story. I just had three students, but they impressed me with their ideas and execution. We batted around ideas and laughed at the possibilities. One student was working on his own story and I asked him to pitch the story to me. Once I knew what direction he was taking, I made suggestions on how he could make each character unique by giving them a shape that separated and defined them. I suggested he try to draw the male protagonist with nothing but straight lines and then I had him draw the female lead with nothing but curves. His work took an immediate leap.

At Full Sail there are 30 to 40 new students every month that take 10 classes and then move on.  There just isn’t enough time to turn so many students into animators. At Elite it was such a luxury to have a few students that were hungry to learn. Gladys is very aware of my daily sketch routine, and I appreciate that she considers me a valuable asset because of that. With the few classes I taught, I felt that I could truly inspire and  start these kids towards a lifetime of learning and sharing. That is what art is all about.

CG Industry Leaders Offer Insights to Students at Full Sail Live

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0n April 15th, 3D Arts Advisory Board Panel spoke to students at Full Sail Live. My entire class went to the event. The speakers were: Shane Cook from ILM who was working on Transformers which is now being released in theaters, Russel Barton who works at EA Tiberon for the Madden series of video games, Nate Home, Ryan Boyle who is working on Microsoft’s Video wall, Keith Guerette who works at Naughty Dog and is a lead effects artist, and Ryan Watson from Ubisoft. The leading consensus among the panel was that getting into the industry takes lots of perseverance and constant work. They each had setbacks and struggles. With CG work it isn’t uncommon to loose a days work when a computer freezes up. They have to shrug off the loss and feel that the next pass would be better than the first.

I was surprised and pleased to hear that they all cherish traditional drawing as a way to quickly relate ideas. This is something I stress often with my students but too often the use the computer as a crutch to execute unclear ideas. I met a student on a flight back to Orlando from Virginia. She was ecstatic that one  of the panelists told her that she was hire-able. Those encouraging words will go a long way towards lighting a fire that needs to burn bright for the duration of any career. I found it visually funny that the circular patters projected behind the panelists made it look like they each had a black halo.

Teaching 2D Traditional Animation at Otronicon

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Sam Ewing who was the lead clean up artist for Stitch was asked to teach an animation class at Otronicon in the Orlando Science Center (777 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL). I assisted Sam with one of these sessions. It is fun to see how enthusiastic young kids are about animation. Full Sail sponsored the classes offering Mac computers on which Sam showed some scenes of Stitch in action. Although Otronicon is a high tech conference, we taught low tech animation, giving the enthusiastic kids pencils and paper to put their ideas down. We had them storyboard very simple story ideas and then gave them flip books to do drawing after drawing to create the illusion of motion. Since these kids haven’t been told that they aren’t artists, anything is possible.

I teach traditional animation at Full Sail and an apathetic student wanted to know why he had to learn traditional animation techniques. At a Fringe pre-show warm up an actor asked the audience what was their one true passion in life. A wife’s hand went up and she said “My husband.” The actor joked that the husband’s hand didn’t dart up as fast since it was clutching a beer.  Another man asked about his one passion, had no idea. He didn’t have any passions. The audience laughed but it was also quite sad. I refuse to believe that anyone could go through life without a desire to express something, anything.  That is why we learn to write, to draw to photograph or sing.  How could a student spend hundreds of thousands of dollars and not have that basic passion? So many seem to want to coast through college with minimal effort.  I still believe one spark can ignite any fire. It is amazing to see the possibilities when a mind is set free.

Hall of Fame

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On my third trip out to the Full Sail back lot I found that the outdoor stage had been broken down because of the threat of rain. An awards ceremony was going on inside Full Sail Live and I tried to get in, but security guards refused entrance.

I walked back to a jumbo tron where students were catching all the action. I decided to sit under a huge umbrella and I’m glad I did, because half way into the sketch, it began to pour. The students ran for cover, joining me under the umbrella.

Some of the students must have not realized I was a teacher because they gossiped about how the think teachers don’t give a damn because they are just biding their time until they land a job in the movie industry again.

The founder of Full Sail,  Jon Phelps, got on stage and he loomed large and bright on the Jumbo tron. I’ve never met the man. Staff joked about which color Maserati sports car he might drive to the ceremony. He has done very well for himself, yet teachers at Full Sail struggle to make ends meet. The school focuses it’s resources on State of the art technology and tons of marketing while the instructors in the trenches seem overlooked.

Awards were given to Kim Albert, Tom Boyd,  Demacio Castellon, Leon Hopkins, Larry Katz,  and Juan Peralta. Unlike the Academy Awards there was no cut off cue when an award recipient went on too long. The common thread among the recipients speeches was that persistence and determination do eventually pay off. This is a lesson that is only learned outside the classroom in the everyday struggle to build a career.

Hall of Fame

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On February 2nd, I explored the Full Sail back lot to see what was set up for the Hall of Fame. The idea behind Hall of Fame is that select graduates are honored for their contributions in the fields of music, film or gaming. A stage was set up in front of the Public Market which is modeled after the market in Seattle. Ruth King was the performer. She sang Soulful Acoustic Blues. Between songs she described her life growing up with a white mom and black father which gave her a unique view of racism in America. She was filmed live and the results went up on a jumbo tron. Of course the big screen projection was overkill since fewer than a dozen students stood in the blazing Florida sun to listen. Half of that dozen were working video and audio equipment.

As a Music Festival this was a pitiful turn out. They would have been better off staging this in a small sound studio. The MC kept offering the carrot of a free iPad if people tweeted friends to get out to listen.  No one actually won an iPad while I sketched. I hadn’t succeeded in finding shade so the second I finished my sketch, I packed away the sketchbook and left. I had finished fast enough, so that I only had a minor sun burn.