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Inspiration from Artists Week 46 Jonathan Wolstenholme and Evind Earl.
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Posted
EYVIND EARLE -American-1916-2000
Eyvind was born in New York. His father was an artist, his mother a concert pianist. At the age of 10 his father challenged him to'read 50 pages of a book' each day, OR... 'paint a picture each day.' Young Eyvind did both for the next four years. At the age of 14 he had a one-man show of his watercolours. But the Great Depression had begun, so nothing came of it. His parents separated. His mother stayed in New York, and his father moved to California and the new-fledged movie industry taking Eyvind with him. I can find no info on his attending Art School, but he studied Van Gogh, Cezanne, Rockwell Kent and Georgia O'Keefe. His early work was realistic, but by the age of 21 he'd fully developed his own style.
He would pack up his watercolour gear, get on his bike, and ride out into the countryside. Nature was his inspiration. These trips got longer and longer, on occasion he'd make a 100 mile round trip on his bike. Eyvind longed to return to his mother in New York. Having no money he decided to make the trip on his bike. It took him 42 days, during which he painted 42 watercolours. Soon after arriving in New York a gallery put on a show of his 42 watercolours. They were well received, but Eyvind and his mother were struggling. He attemped to set up greeting cards businesses but met limited success.
His big break came in 1951 when the Walt Disney Studios offered him a job as assistant background artist. He told his mother 'our poverty is over.' Eyvind made rapid progress at the Disney Studios, working on many short films, and major blockbusters like Peter Pan.
In 1953 he was given control over the look of the short film 'Toot, whistle, plunk and boom.' This was very different in style to the normal Disney style. It won an Oscar. His major success at Disney came when he was given control over design and colour for the Sleeping Beauty movie (released in 1959). He was given a team of background artists whom he schooled in his style of art. They painted hundreds of scenes in gouache.
In 1966 he stepped away from the movie business, and returned to being a full-time artist. His one-man shows toured America and worldwide, and examples of his art are held in many major galleries.
I admire his art, he has the gift of seeing things differently.
Here are two stills from Sleeping Beauty, showing Eyvinds backgrounds....
He was one of a handfull of artists who changed to look of Disney Movies, and his influence is still felt...notably in the recent Disney Film 'Frozen.' But it's his personal work that appeals to me the most.
He was one of a handfull of artists who changed to look of Disney Movies, and his influence is still felt...notably in the recent Disney Film 'Frozen.' But it's his personal work that appeals to me the most.
Posted
If you're interested here's a link to the Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom' movie. Eyvind was responsible for the look and colour design, he did the backgrounds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iVf0pPHvjc&ab_channel=thelostdisney
I guess I'm a sucker for bright colours and high constrast.
Posted
I remember watching Sleeping Beauty on TV one Christmas with my boys, and was stuck by the 'different' backgrounds...different from the Disney norm at least...and spent the rest of the film largely ignoring the story and studying the backgrounds. Like all art it won't appeal to everybody. Suits me just fine.
Love his use of colour.
Love his use of colour.
