Jacques Rupp Mid Century Walt Disney Artist
Jacques Wellington Rupp was born in 1921 in Olympia, Washington, and grew up in Paris and Seattle.
He earned an economics degree at the University of Washington and served in the Navy during World War II. He gained a second degree at the Art Centre College of Design in Los Angeles, and won a job with Disney Studios in 1953 by pitching some promotional ideas for the television show, “The Wonderful World of Disney.” Starting at Disney in 1953 an an in-betweener, Jacques moved into the layout department as an assistant on Lady and the Tramp, working on sequences at the dog pound, the zoo and the classic spaghetti eating sequence at Tony’s restaurant.
In 1956 he created the illustrations for the Disney book ‘Our Friend the Atom’.
He spent time in the Disney commercials unit as a background painter and also worked in Ward Kimball’s unit for the Man in Space series and Magic Highway USA.
Rupp was moved off production to work on the new theme park, Disneyland, and is credited with designing the Snow White shuttle bus which ran from Los Angeles to Anaheim, logos, popcorn boxes and cups used throughout the park and selecting costumes for the Jungle Cruise, Canal Boats and Frontierland. Jacques went on to become something of an immortal in the Disney pantheon, designing and hand-lettering the Park’s original gothic logo for the classic Disneyland logo in 1955 as well as the opening titles for the Disneyland TV show featuring Tinkerbell and Sleeping Beauty’s castle.
Jacques probably left Disney during its mass layoff in the late 50s and arrived at UPA (United Productions of America) in time to design the title sequence and promotional materials for the Magoo feature, 1001 Arabian Nights. When that picture finished, he went on to do television commercials for one of the many animation production houses in Los Angeles, Animation, Inc.
I wonder how many contemporary artists have been inspired by this wonderful Pirate ship ?
Many artists working in animation during the early 60s have recounted how difficult the job market was at the time and artists often found themselves hopping from studio to studio picking up work wherever they could. Rupp was no exception and finally landed at Hanna Barbera as a layout artist working on The Flintstones, Hey There, It’s Yogi Bear!, Ricochet Rabbit, Punkin’ Puss and early development on The Jetsons. When that job ended, he found himself doing animated titles for Pacific Title before coming back to UPA for The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo.
By 1972 he had become a full-time staff artist. Besides illustrating sports, news and feature stories, he hand-lettered The Times’ masthead that debuted March 6, 1976, the first day that The Times published a morning edition on Saturdays. The masthead adorned the top of the front page until the newspaper’s 1997 redesign.
His artwork earned several awards from industry groups. Notable was a 1976 Sunday-magazine cover illustrating an inside article on capital punishment: a noose dangling from a question mark.
“He was such a gentle person (and) an artist in every aspect of his humanity and personality,” said Times Executive Editor Michael Fancher. “He was very unassuming about his talent. He was always surprised when someone wanted a copy of his work. To him, it was just what he did.”
“He was a colorful, original character and turned out colorful, original art,” said former Times artist Steve McKinstry. “His cartoons had so much life, they just about jumped off the page.”
Lesley Smyth Hand-painted delights
I first ‘met’ the work of Lesley Smyth about 6 months ago on Instagram and was captivated by her colour and beautiful hand-painted objects. I got in touch to discover more.
Hi Lesley, thanks for taking part in my blog post. How did you first get interested in painting and art?
I don’t know! It’s just something I’ve always had in my life. I grew up in a noisy house (4 siblings) and I think drawing and doodling was my refuge from it all. There have been long periods when I didn’t paint or draw because life took over, but Ive always come back to it. Even when I wasn’t painting I’d still look for inspiration in my surroundings- storing up ideas for when I would. In recent years I’ve been painting more, and I feel like it’s a kind of therapy. There’s nothing I like better than a day of painting and listening to a good podcast or music, and blocking out the noise of the world.
What did you do prior to working as an artist?
At college I studied industrial ceramics and quickly learned I was only interested in the decoration part. For a couple of years after college I designed patterns for fabric and wallpaper. Although I loved this, I found it isolating and wanted to be out mixing with people. I started painting furniture and this led to learning decorative paint finishes and for many years I’ve been working in peoples homes painting murals, colour washing, stencilling etc.
Where did your love of folk art come from?
From an early age I’ve collected postcards from museums and ripped out pages from magazines. I’m drawn to simplicity and naïve art. As well as folk art I love embroidery, medieval art (my final show pieces at college were spice jars inspired by medieval paintings), mosaics and many painters with a naïve style.
Do your illustrations take inspiration from one style or country?
I get a lot of inspiration from travelling, visiting museums, just being in a different environment and experiencing a different culture. I look for pattern everywhere I go. Italy would be my go to country for inspiration – so many treasures to be found there. But there is inspiration to be found everywhere. Sometimes on a drive to work I’ll see something and make a mental note .
How do you formulate your colour palette?
I love colour, and I love to see how colours work together. It’s usually experimental. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I always find it interesting how a background colour can completely change the colour on top of it. I’ve recently been using an orange/red as a background and I’m loving the effect it has – it makes everything around it stand out.
I have my go to favourite colours – blues and greens usually soft greyish versions of these colours and then I add various colours. I have a Pinterest board called ‘colour combos’ that I sometimes look at if I need some inspiration or feel stuck. Maybe because I’ve been working in interiors for years that has helped too.
Currently I use a mix of gouache, chalk paint and good old emulsion (I have hundreds of sample pots because of the day job). I really love the flat quality of these paints. I usually wax afterwards, sometimes varnish for a nice soft protective finish
Are there any contemporary artists whose work inspires or influences you?
I’m not sure if you’d call them contemporary- but my favourite artists would be Winnifred Nicholson, Alfred Wallis and Mary Fedden. O my goodness I wish I could paint like they do!! I’m always drawn to paintings with sea, boats and buildings. They all have that simplistic style that I love – but it certainly isn’t easy to paint like that.
In today’s world of art I love Janine Burrows and Jane Askey. Again boats, buildings and sea. I also like some abstract artists – when they have a colour palette that appeals to me.
Where do you see your work going in the next few years?
I would like to develop my work and get it onto greetings cards, wrapping paper, fabric etc. I’d like to do a range for kids too. But in the meantime I think I need to keep practicing and to develop my style and portfolio.
What is your favourite subject matter to paint?
Well it’s definitely birds, flowers and animals. But I also love geometric patterns and I like to combine the two. Old buildings are also interesting to me. I’ve been doing a lot of farmhouse style buildings but I would like to try some different ones.
If you could place your work in any shop, website, museum right now, where would it be?
Well any would be good!!!! But my favourites would be Liberty, V&A, Anthropologie. Crickey how amazing would that be!!!
I loved looking through your work and reading your replies Lesley, thanks so much for taking part. You can purchase Lesley’s work on her Etsy shop here.
Jenny Williams. Children’s Book Illustrator
Jenny Williams was born in 1939, a talented illustrator whose style i’d say is instantly recognisable.
She was educated at the Wimbledon School of Art and University of London.
Jenny started drawing as a very young child, making up stories about the characters she created.
Her drawings have appeared in many different types of books, including cookery books, fairy tales and nursery rhymes, animal stories and folk tales, published throughout the world. I’ve no idea how many books Jenny has been involved with, but it must be quite a few. Here’s just a taster.
Some books have a real ‘hippy seventies’ vibe. I love her colour palettes, and the way she creates the feeling of warm sunny, summertime, fields. Like in this book ‘ A Lion In The Meadow’.
Slightly cooler tones in Uncle Bumble.
And saving the best til last with The Silver Wood.
Absolutely stunning work, I’m sure you’ll agree.
Manchester School of Art Degree show 2024
Yesterday I met up with my good friend Helen (from drawdrawdraw ) to look around this year’s degree show at MMU Manchester School of Art. Helen and I went to Polytechnic together in Nottingham, back in the day, where we studied Printed Textiles, which makes her the perfect companion to do art trips with.
I have put together a collection of the work that simply caught my eye for it’s merit, style, quality or innovation. Apologies to those whos work isn’t labelled, sadly if there wasn’t a name tag near to the artwork, I’m afraid it’s not labelled here, It’s such a big show to get around, that there is always so much to write up afterwards. We did view work from Product, Textiles, Illustration, Graphics and Fine Art departments, much more to see for another time.
Ella’s work above is inspired by tropical and British florals whil’st Aaron’s work below, concentrates on themes as social connectivity and pagan art.
Fun and punchy, mid century-vibe prints from Daisy’s travel inspiration.
Inspiring to see the technical work and time that has gone into Ellen’s work with natural dyes. It was lovely to see her test book laid out with her samples.
Some funky machine knits from Sophie. Great pattern and movement.
Striking work by Heather Burke with her strange and menacing ceramic and fabric figurines.
I wouldn’t care to meet any of these characters on a dark night, but I do think they’d make a great annimation.
Beautiful Type from Ciara Paterson and a stunning Poster by Anni Buchanan
I also loved this jacket by Jude Wakeley. Great colours and I liked the way the type face was faded in parts as it would be when wood block printed.
From a collaboration with paper mauufacturers G.F.Smith, here are some great record sleeves that have a ‘Manchester nod’ towards the work by New Order designer Peter Saville.
An airport themed board (or should that be bored) game ! by Hannah Quine.
Lovely hand made paper garments and studies from Claire Malley.
Great sketches and perspectives from character creator Ross Westgate.
Some weird and wonderful discoveries in the Fine Art department.
Hazel Stileman‘s comment on waste and loss.
Casual onlookers taking in the show.
Stunning art pieces by Alice Kettle.
This piece by Lisa Rosie obviously caught my eye, as I have a flight risk of my very own ! lol
Hope you enjoyed my show and tell and if you wish to visit MMU then it is open to the public from Saturday 15 June until Saturday 22 June.
Opening Times
Saturday/Sunday 10am–4pm
Monday–Friday 10am–6pm
More info here.
Chris Turnham Illustration
Photo by Dan Cole.
Chris Turnham lives and works in Los Angeles. He has worked in both feature and television animation and has contributed illustrations to publications and children’s books.
Of course his style appeals very much to my eye and love of the mid century life.
This could be fresh out of a book from 50+ years ago…. fabulous.
Interesting to see some floral and botanical studies too.
Illustrations of intrepid explorers….
and places Chris has also explored.
But my absolute favourites are his his beautiful architectural pieces… was this the bridge used in the film Grease, I wonder ?
Many of these illustrations are commissions.
Or just plain jaw-droppingly wonderful ! Lol
I love Chris’s use of the sun in these sleepy suburban dwellings.
He has even covered the Eames House, below. Stunning work Chris.
I just wanted to add a quick update to this post. Chris has been busy working on two wonderful books which are right up my street.
National Monuments and National Parks of the USA.
Just look at these mouthwateringly retro illustrations.
You can even grab a print from Chris’s website here
Lovely work Chris, with a nod to the classic Miroslav Šašek too, get your copies today.
Artist In Residence Nest
I have recently started an online teaching class with a lovely group of artists, through a site known as Artist In Residence . This week I wanted to look at the Nest.
I created some visuals to take loose inspiration from, stating my usual ‘What If’s ‘ i.e. what if the nest was square, a spiral, made out of something else, just to get people’s minds flowing with possibilities.
Also many slides with images of other artists interpretations of nests and images of birds, trees, ceramics I have made, associated with nests.
An old collage illustration of mine of a Hen on her nest.
Thinking about how nests are created. I found it fascinating to discover that brids build nests from instinct as they have never been shown how to do it by their parents !
This was my drawing from the class. A mix of mark making, printing, illustration using markers, pencils, brush pens, ink and collage.
I had a great time teaching yesterday and thanks to everyone who took part.
If you would like to find out more about joining an art class online and participating either live or watching classes in playback after the class has finished, then visit Artist In Residence . co and explore their options for joining. Hope to see you there.
Brian Wildsmith Exhibition, Barnsley. Part 2
Following on from post 1 for the Brian Wildsmith exhibition in Barnsley the other week, here is post 2.
The exhibition is spread over two spaces, The Cooper Gallery (covered in post 1) and Experience Barnsley beneath the impressive Town Hall. Each about a 5 minute walk from one another and both about a 10 minute walk from the main station Barnsley Interchange. The Experience Barnsley side of the exhibition, centres around Brian’s early life, his training, family and work.
Just one of his major award triumphs was winning the Kate Greenaway Medal for his book ‘ABC’ in 1962, (now called The CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal) it was the only award in the UK to solely reward outstanding illustration in a children’s book.
I don’t wish to rewrite all the wealth of information you can discover on Brian’s Website, as his family have created a masterpiece and it is worth spending some time discovering Brian’s story for yourself. You can also see an earlier post I wrote back in 2015 here.
How lovely to see this early drawing of Jack the Dog, from his days at the Slade School of Fine Art and subsequently some of Brian’s early Book jacket designs.
A few black and white, detailed illustrations.
Again, so special to be able to appreciate the family home and visualise where Brian would have sat to create many of his beautiful books.
Brian with his family, Simon, Rebecca, Anna, Brian and Clare. Also with his wife, Aurélie.
Through my website, I have been friends with Clare and Simon Wildsmith for the last 9 years. So this was the perfect opportunity to catch up with them in person and spend a little time talking about Brian’s work, parents generally and our lives today. They very kindly arranged for me to take a signed print of my all time fav illustration of Brians featuring these two Owls. Now I can be reminded of the Wildsmiths every day : ) Thank you again for a fab day’s catch up.
I can’t recommend this exhibition enough. It’s fab, it’s free and after two years of planning it’s finally here until January 4th 2025. Go see and tell me how much you loved it.
Further exciting news from Simon about a new site with Brian’s Cards, Prints, Tote Bags and other merchandise to be released soon. Watch this space. The final word should go to Brian himself…
“Our children are our inheritance and our future. They are the building blocks of our civilisations, and we are inclined sometimes to forget this important and crucial fact. It is important to remember that at birth a child’s soul is like an empty book in which anything may be written. Let us sharpen our wits and pencils and make sure that what we write and paint will fly the child into a world of joy and wonder and imagination. We must write in those books about love, humour, compassion, truth, understanding, justice… profitable wonders that will determine how our children will develop and help build a happier and more peaceful world.” Brian Wildsmith 2008
Brian Wildsmith Exhibition, Barnsley. Part 1
This week I took a day off, to catch the fabulous exhibition of Brian Wildsmith‘s work over in Barnsley.
It has taken years of planning and more organisation and form-filling than you would care to imagine, in order to get Brian’s original artwork from France to the UK and up to Barnsley, his original hometown.
The exhibition is spread over two spaces, The Cooper Gallery and Experience Barnsley beneath the impressive Town Hall. Each about a 5 minute walk from one another and both about a 10 minute walk from the main station Barnsley Interchange. It’s so easy, I’ve even made you a map !
The Cooper Gallery concentrates on Brian’s art and there’s a wonderful opportunity to get up close and personal with many of your favourite images.
I loved seeing the original proofs for many of his now famous book and then studying the materials he used and his particular painting style. Always a dream to see another artist’s illustrations right there in front of you. I was probably swooning about 5 times a minute walking round lol
One of my many personal favourites is ‘A Colony of Penguins’ from Brian’s “Birds” book from 1967. I love how the painted snowflakes add an icy chill to the illustration. It really helps to make the image feel realistic.
How beautiful is this colourful explosion of plants concealing a watchful Mr Fox.
One amazing collaboration to happen this year is the range of Brian’s artwork made into repeats by Liberty . Their description explains… Wildsmith’s Wonderful World is a retrospective collection of designs inspired by the late illustrator and picture book creator, Brian Wildsmith. By combining Wildsmith’s imaginative and visually exciting style of storytelling with the Liberty Fabrics Designers’ expertise, our studio team have reimagined his portfolio of charming illustrations. From magnificent jungle creatures and swooping flocks of birds to playful London cityscapes and otherworldly outer-space illustrations, we invite you to experience the expansive magic of Wildsmith’s Wonderful World.
The whole exhibtion is free to enter and it’s on until 4th Jan 2025. Experience Barnsely is open, Tues to Sat, 10am til 4pm and the Cooper Gallery, Mon to Sat, 10am til 4pm. Both Cafes are smart, I had lunch in The Old George Cafe, it was very reasonably priced with lovely food.
Hope you enjoyed part 1 of this Wildsmith journey with me. Part two of my trip, exploring the personal side of Brian’s life in the Experience Barnsley exhibition, will be posted in a day or two. See you then : )
Artist in Residence Owls
I have just started an online teaching class with a lovely group of artists, through a site known as Artist In Residence .
My first solo class this week was all about drawing Owls. I included some fun facts about these wonderful birds, such as an Owl can turn it’s head 270 degrees, many have asymmetrical ears located at different heights on it’s head which help it pinpoint exactly where it’s prey maybe and that the eyes of an Owl aren’t actually eyeballs at all, they are in fact tubes and completely immobile. Who knew ?
We looked at examples of real Owls and also how different artists used this subject matter in their own work. Here’s illustrations from collage artist Mark Hearld and Children’s illustrator Brian Wildsmith.
Some of my pencil illustrations above and Illustrator Celestino Piatti shows us some of his fabulous midcentury Owls.
Russell George Wilson reveals his textile talents with this beautiful Tawny Owl.
I showed some of my Ceramic Owls, I had more designs than I thought !
Then moved onto some drawing and collage work using the Owl as the starting point and not necessarily worrying about how lifelike it needed to be.
My mind started thinking… what if it was made up of letters, what if it was square and these guys soon appeared lol
After some initial nerves, I really enjoyed the experience and hopefully the folk in the class did too. If you would like to join up you can find more information here, there are plenty of new classes to join in, watch in your own time and places on the site where you can chat and discuss ideas with other artists around the globe.
Earlier this year I was kindly invited by Rekha Salin on instagram @illustrate_daily to be interviewed for The Society Of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrator’s blog. Rekha has followed my blog for a while and liked both my ceramic work (which is driven by my love of retro books, design etc) and also Fishinkblog itself.
The feature was published this week and you can find it here.
Please dip in and discover more about how my quirky mind works lol. INSPIRATIONS FROM CRAIG’S BOOKSHELF
Thanks again Rekha for asking me, I often need to be dragged into talking about myself !
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