Report: Walt Disney Art Classics Mini-Convention
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Day 3: Seminars
Saturday morning began with a breakfast buffet followed by seminars. Tim O’Day greeted everyone in the manner of “Remember the Alamo” with “Remember the Auction”!! He then introduced the next seminar, "Strolling Down Memory Lane With Collectibles." Michael O’Day (née Michael Young of Walt Disney Art Classics) appeared sporting a huge, red wig and commented how he needed to talk to Tim O’Day about the fine art of hair gel use! This got a great laugh from the crowd. Michael then seriously discussed the history of collectibles figurines from the early maquettes and porcelains to the Walt Disney Art Classics porcelains. Kay Kamen, voted a Disney Legend in 1999, was the marketing genius who was responsible for the early collectible merchandise. He encouraged Walt and Roy to license their characters to manufacturers. This continued until World War II. There was a 30-year gap during which Disney was not primarily involved with fine porcelains. Finally, in 1992, the Walt Disney Classics Collection was launched and was hugely successful.

Michael introduced Lynn Crosby who heads the Walt Disney Art Classics Creative Team. This is where ideas are generated and approved. Lynn likens herself to a princess whose word is final, but she’s only kidding. She works with a very capable staff including artists like David Pacheco and sculptors like Kent Melton. One of the most difficult parts of creating the figures is the use of many mediums such as porcelain, bronze, crystal, pewter and wood to create beautiful and dynamic pieces. The combination of these different materials must appear seamless. Lynn went on to review the new pieces for the year 2000.

Finally, Lynn and Michael introduced a new scene from The Nightmare Before Christmas. Jack Skellington, Sally and Jack’s dog, Zero will appear in a Fall 2000 release. Each figure is perched on top of a coffin base. Nice touch!

Lee and Mitchell from Walt Disney Art Classics pose with Jack and Sally

A close-up of the pieces

Peter Ellenshaw
The final event of the convention was possibly the highlight - Tim O’Day’s interview entitled, Behind the Canvas with Disney Legend, Peter Ellenshaw. Peter Ellenshaw has a huge body of work and has so many tales to tell that we could have spent all day listening to him. Peter has worked on numerous Disney movies as a matte painter and art director. He has even made cameo appearances on film.

Peter was born in England on May 24, 1913 which is the same date as Queen Victoria’s birthday. The custom in England was to fly the British flag on that day, and as a child, Peter always thought that the flags were flying for him. He believes that his interest in drawing began during WWI air raids. His mother would make him hide under the table during the air raid and to pass the time he would draw. As a teen, he would copy the old masters. He began working with Walter Percy Day, a matte painter. The advice he gave to Peter was to “keep on painting”. Peter took that advice and painted eight to ten hours a day. Mr. Day tutored Peter in everything.

A matte painting is a painting on glass to complete a film scene with things “that aren’t really there.” Critical to a good matte painting is lighting and scale because it must appear seamless to the camera. Walt Disney filmed the first live-action movie, Treasure Island, in England. Money owed to the Disney Studio before WWII by Britain could not be taken out of the country, so Walt decided to film in England. He became aware of Peter and his talent. The film was actually shot on a backlot with the scenery being supplied by Peter. We looked at a film clip that showed the harbor scene. It was amazing to see how good the mattes looked. Peter’s commented that he didn’t paint all the people.

Tim O'Day and Peter Ellenshaw

Peter and Time with Peter's new giclee