PixArt

11/05/10:

Wow, what a celebration!  We would like to extend a sincere thank you to all the wonderful artists who contributed to our countdown.  We’ve had a blast posting all of this great art and we hope you’ve enjoyed viewing it.

We were surprised and delighted by how many of you were so eager to contribute your valuable time and exceptional talent just to be a part of a tribute to Toy Story.  Make no mistake about it, we aren’t so vain here at The Pixar Times to think you’re doing it all for us.  We know that it’s a testament to the Toy Story films and to Pixar that we received such a spirited response to our invitation.  The films of Pixar – especially the Toy Story films – have very quickly become part of our lives in so many ways.  They have been woven seamlessly into the pop-culture consciousness.  So much so that it’s hard to imagine there ever was a year without a new Pixar film!  So, thank you artists!  Your visions have made the wait for Toy Story 3 on Blu-ray all the more bearable and even enjoyable.

Also, a huge thanks to illustrator Jerrod Maruyama, who since joining The Pixar Times has done a fantastic job.  Jerrod has since become our Art Director and without his hard work, none of what you see here on the PixArt page would have been possible.  Thanks, Jerrod!
Don’t worry, this isn’t the end of PixArt.  We’ll be back with more tributes and other surprises.  Now, we have a special surprise for you.  With Toy Story 3‘s time in theaters over, and Cars 2 fast approaching, we give you the following mash-up:

Before we put our toys back in the box and put on our driving gloves, we’d like to feature this one last piece of art!  BOOM! comics artist Allen Gladfelter sent us this fun piece as we say goodbye to TOY STORY 3 and start revvin’ up for CARS 2.

Thanks Allen!

Stay tuned for more great PixArt in the future.

11/02/10:

Surely you’re familiar with the great work of Philadelphia illustrator Dave Perillo (aka Montygog)!  One look at today’s piece and you should instantly recognize his distinct style – great colors, fun stylization, awesome design.  We were over the moon when Dave agreed to contribute a piece to our countdown celebration and we couldn’t be more pleased with this great image.  Buzz and Woody are lookin’ sharp in this wonderfully executed take on the iconic characters!  To see more great work like this, visit Dave’s blog.  You’ll find tons of great illustrations and fantastic tributes to many beloved characters from the pop-culture stratosphere.  We were particularly impressed (and amused) by his “What’s Happening!” lunch box design for the Cartoon Madness 5: Lunchbox Show (Alcove Gallery).  We thank Dave for taking the time to contribute to our Toy Story tribute.

Woo-hoo.  It’s party time!  Toy Story 3 is now available on DVD and Blu-ray and we’re celebrating.  Ken & Barbie are dressed in their best to mark the occassion.  This fabulous piece comes to us from Michigan illustrator and visual developer Wendi Chen.  Her website is currently under construction but you can view more of her great work at her blog and Flickr page.  Make sure to look for the great Kung Fu Panda piece she did for Dreamworks Fine Art gallery.  Great stuff.

What better way to celebrate Toy Story 3 on DVD and Blu-ray than with a parade!  This gorgeous piece from artist Lorena Alvarez of Bogota, Colombia features everyone’s favorite Space Ranger looming large on the horizon – just like in a certain Thanksgiving Day parade.  We’re fans of Lorena’s brightly colored and intensely detailed images.  One look at her website and Flickr page and you’ll be hooked.

A big thanks goes out to Lorena, Wendi, and Dave for joining our Toy Story 3 Blu-ray/DVD release party!  Now, what are you waiting for?  Get out there and grab your copy of TOY STORY 3 on DVD and Blu-ray – if you haven’t already done so!

11/01/10:

Here’s another does of goodness from BOOM! comics artist extraordinaire Amy Mebberson.  We’re just crazy about this former Disney Toons animator’s cheerful images and illustrations.  See so much more of her fabulous work at her website and blog.  Keep an eye on Amy’s sites – there’s some FUN stuff on the way.  Stay tuned for more details.

Wow, this incredibly cute piece from illustrator Jerrod Maruyama really warms the heart.  Bonnie was extraordinarily adorable and we feel that Jerrod truly captures the charm she displayed in Toy Story 3.  Jerrod recently joined The Pixar Times team and has become an invaluable part of the blog.  You can see lots more of Jerrod’s work on his Flickr page and website.

A big thanks to our amazing contributing artists, Jerrod and Amy.  They each gave us multiple pieces during our countdown to Toy Story 3‘s home release, and we are so thankful.  Here we are on the eve of the big day.  It’s been fun, but it’s not over!  We have two more pieces of PixArt going up tomorrow!

Speaking of which, the wait is almost over as Toy Story 3 is out on DVD and Blu-ray TOMORROW!

10/31/10:

Hey, howdy, hey!  It’s Woody the…Midnight Cowboy?  Just in time for Halloween comes this unexpected mash-up from New York Illustrator Anuj Shrestha.  This is a very different kind of buddy movie for our pals Buzz and Woody and we think it’s just great.  We knew Anuj would bring an interesting perspective to our tribute and he certainly doesn’t disappoint with this humorous image.  You can see more of Anuj’s thoughtful work at his website.  Some of Anuj’s clients include The New York Times, Playboy, Financial Times (UK), and Kahani Magazine.  His comics work has appeared in the Rabid Rabbit and Secret Identities comics anthologies.

Here’s a fun mash-up for all you retro-toy fans out there – Buzz Lightyear as Shogun Warrior!  Concept artist and visual developer Barry Prioste sent us this awesome piece based on his favorite childhood toy.  We think it’s a good match.  Barry is based in the San Francisco Bay area where he is currently employed in the video-game industry.  Check out more of his great work at his blog.  And if you aren’t familiar with the original Shogun Warriors toys, look ’em up.  These 1970’s precursors to TRANSFORMERS were a lot of fun.

We’d like to thank Barry and Anuj for contributing as our countdown celebration is nearing its goal.  TOY STORY 3 comes to DVD and Blu-ray on Tuesday!

10/30/10:

Uh oh.  Looks like someone’s jealous of Slinky Dog!  This precious piece comes to us from San Francisco Bay Area illustrator Joy Steuerwald.  If you like this image, wait ’till you check out her website and blog.  There’s plenty of adorable images, illustrations and canine creations to make you go “awwwwwww”.  Joy’s list of clients include The Learning Company, FUNSCHOOL.com, and Ghostbot studios to name a few.  Be on the lookout for the children’s book she illustrated – “One Christmas Story” (2003).

Check out this whimsical take on everybody’s favorite Space Ranger and Sheriff.  This fun stylization comes from New Zeland artist Alex Leighton (aka Xander 13).  Alex runs Mukpuddy Animation with a couple of his buddies and when he’s not doing that, he’s painting.  Check out his great stuff on his website, deviantART page, and Flickr page.  You’ll find some fun paintings and illustrations of some very familiar personalities.  We’re  particularly fond of his wood-block characters.  Check it out!

Our thanks to Alex and Joy and for letting us show these great images.  It certainly helps us pass the time until Toy Story 3 is released on DVD and Blu-ray this Tuesday, November 2!

10/29/10:

Jessie the yodeling Cowgirl meets Slue Foot Sue and we couldn’t be more charmed with the result.  Born in Australia, where she was an animator for Disney, Amy Mebberson currently resides in Portland, where she is a comic artist and illustrator.  She was kind enough to send us this wonderful piece celebrating the two most famous red-head cowgirls in the Disney-Pixar family.  We’re sure you’ll love her work as much as we do.  Check out her website, deviantART page, and Flickr page to sample her amazing work.  You’ll find lots of stuff for BOOM! Studios where Amy has been hard at work on their line of Muppets and Pixar titles.  But that’s only one part of her great portfolio.  There’s lots to see and love!

We’re so pleased with Amy’s work you just might see another piece coming up sometime soon.  Thanks Amy!  And don’t forget to pick up your copy of TOY STORY 3 on DVD and Blu-ray on Tueday November 2!

10/28/10:

We asked freelance illustrator Anneka Tran to contribute a piece to our Toy Story celebration because we loved her adorable images.  And boy, did she deliver.  Her style shines through in this simply wonderful piece – just as we expected it would.  Stretch has never looked more appealing.  Based in Staffordshire, England, Anneka has many examples of cuteness on her website, her blog, and her Flickr page.  Wherever you go to see her work, we’re sure you’ll be as impressed as we were with her colorful characters and illustrations.  They’re well worth a visit.

Bingo!  We’re just crazy over this great piece from Boston illustrator Jill Howarth.  Jill, who once worked as a designer and art director for Hasbro (fun!), now works as a freelance illustrator specializing in spot illustrations for all kinds of publications – from annual reports to consumer packaging.  One look at her website and Flickr page and you just might recognize some of her whimsical images!

A big thank you to Jill and Anneka for finding the time to contribute these wonderful images.  It certainly puts us in the mood to watch TOY STORY 3 on DVD and Blu-ray – available Tuesday November 2!

10/27/10:

Yodelayheehoo!  Jessie is kickin’ it with her good friend Totoro in this beautiful piece from German illustrator and comic artist Laura Müller.  I’m a big fan of cute and Laura does cute like no other. Her beautifully detailed style is definitely her own and you can find more of this gorgeous work at her website and DeviantArt page.  We think you’re going to like what you see!

We’re so fortunate to have artists from around the world contributing to our countdown.  We thank Laura for this beautiful piece and for recommending another artist whose work you will see next:

Looks like it’s nap time for Woody and friends – including new friend Totoro!  According to our friend Rio Rock, nemuri is Japanese for sleep.  The “o” ist just an honorific prefix. Onemu (without the ri) is kid’s talk for sleeping or being sleepy.  To us this translates as ADORABLE!  Also based in Germany, Rio Rock came highly recommended from fellow PixArt contributor Laura Müller.  And we see why she did – his work is great!  You can see more of his fun work at his website and DeviantArt page.

Both Rio Rock and Laura were part of the Darkstalkers Tribute book from Udon Entertainment.  Pretty cool stuff!

We would like to thank Rio Rock and Laura for their great contributions to our very international countdown.  And have we mentioned that Toy Story 3 is coming to DVD and Blu-ray on November 2?