Charles Boyer Window on Main Street
Page 1 of 4
The sun was already beating down on this blazing summer morning, yet spirits were high and smiles were abounding …and why not?
After all it was Disneyland’s 44th
birthday, and the audience of family and friends, collectors, fans and general park guests
were on hand near the Firehouse on Main Street, U.S.A. to share in a special tribute to
much-loved Disneyland Master Illustrator, Charles Boyer.
Not just any tribute, mind you, one of Disneyland’s highest honors – his
own window on Main Street, U.S.A.
|
Boyer, whose best-known Disney work is “Walt’s Self-Portrait” based on Norman Rockwell’s Triple Self-Portrait, began his Disney career in 1960 as a portrait sketch artist at Disneyland Park. His work was so well received that after just six months he was transferred to Marketing to conceptualize and create all phases of graphics for the Park. In the nearly 39 years he’s been with Disneyland he has produced nearly fifty collectible lithographs as well as a diverse range of artwork for magazine covers, flyers, in-Park packaging, merchandise and corporate sponsored oil portraits for retiring employees. His tremendous work earned him the title of Disneyland’s first full-time illustrator and subsequently was elevated to the Park’s only Master Illustrator. As of June 18, 1999 he has joined some of those esteemed retirees he’d painted parting portraits for with his own departure from Disneyland.
|
At 9:30 a.m. the announcement was made to welcome Charles. Heads turned as he emerged into the crowd on a Main Street Trolley, in the company of Cynthia Harriss, Executive Vice-President of the Disneyland Resort, Mickey Mouse and Disneyland’s own Dapper Dans. The Dapper Dans had already burst into their own charming rendition of “I'm Walkin' Right Down The Middle Of Main Street, U.S.A.”, appropriately changing “walkin’ ” to “ridin’ ” with respect to their trolley entrance.
|
