va·ri·e·ty

/vəˈrīədē/

noun

1. 

the quality or state of being different or diverse; the absence of uniformity, sameness, or monotony.

"it's the variety that makes my job so enjoyable"

synonyms:diversity, variation, diversification, heterogeneity, multifariousness, change, choice, difference"the lack of variety in the curriculum"

I was given a wonderful opportunity to Art Direct the revamping of Mickey Mouse and the Gang. Credit goes to Paul Rudish, who is responsible for the new stylization of the characters and is the supervising Director for the series.

I decided right at the beginning of the series that in working with characters that are so universally known that I could be more liberal with the Background styling and there wouldn’t be any confusion as to what was being presented.

This is an unusual but satisfying thing for art creation in an animated series, where uniformity is the norm.

This is the first of 17 shorts I Art Directed for the first season of Mickey Mouse Shorts. The loose, calligraphic line and off registered paint is sort of the default house style. I thought it would be nice to mix up things and vary the styles from time to time so as you can see, some shows feel vary different.  All, however, owe there inspiration from the classic modern art & animation from the 50's and 60's with a few even giving a nod to the 20's

Below are a few of the first designs and paintings I did to help establish the look for the show. This one was used in the production.

I did this piece in developing the style but it wasn't used in the production       

"Yodelberg" is the third short in the series.

Mary Blaire was a definite influence on the art Direction of this show.

The flat white snow is a perfect canvas for all the decorative shapes and textures.  The patterned, grey sky accentuates the blank snow field and the neutral colors make the saturated colors pop.

"No Service" Is the second Short Produced in the series.

This is a development design/painting I did to help establish Goofy's Dinner and the Art Direction for this Short

"O Sole Minnie" is the Second short that kinda harkens back to Mary Blaire. As well as Jim Flora, The Provinson's and others. This time, the BG's are more detailed. As is the environment

This is a piece I designed and painted to establish the Art Direction for this Short.
I thought an Art Deco style would work nicely with both the silliness of the short  and the location it unfolds in.

This was the first Minnie Mouse Short in our series, I once again decided that a Deco theme would work nicely with this story. The first couple pieces shown here I designed and painted to establish the art direction.

I really wanted this to feel like the beautiful, rich, gilded Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. But, I thought it would be interesting to juxtapose a flatter, stylized stage set against it.

I Painted the first piece as a key for the theater.

I did the first Piece to Establish the Art Direction for Spain. I wanted the Bright, Flat colors of the Characters and the Bulls to Pop and supply the Brightest accents in the image.

A Lens Splash Wipe that I did that was cut from the final because of time. 

These top two paintings were the first couple I did to establish the colorful look of Switzerland.

The top piece is the first one I did to establish the forest and how we would approach the painting of this short.

On top is a Preliminary painting I did to establish the look of the village and how we would treat the clouds, cobblestone, architecture and nature. 

This piece was never used.

I was very excited about this episode. I wanted to capture the sun washed
neutral canvas of Mumbai. Brimming with bright, almost neon splashes of color in its signage, tapestries, pottery, automobiles, and music videos.

I also wanted to express thru color and mood the journey to enlightenment that Mickey pursues .