Monday, October 12, 2009

Old Books and New Students

Jeanette and I have returned home after our southern California book launch odyssey.

After I get caught up with orders and emails, I'll try to post about each of the schools and studios we visited: LAAFA, CalArts, Imagineering, Fullerton, Blizzard, Laguna, Inland Empire, and Baby Tattoo.

One of the joys was meeting art students, some of whom brought old tattered copies of Dinotopia for me to sign. Many of them told me about their parents who read to them when they were little, and who now support them in their brave quest to make art their life.

I salute them all: students, teachers, and parents. This is the best time ever to become an artist, especially an imaginative artist. The training is better than ever, and the combination of digital and traditional tools offers opportunities that no one could have imagined even 20 years ago.

I look forward to one day reading books and watching movies with their names on the credits.

5 comments:

Kendra Melton said...

That had to be an amazing feeling that kids were bringing their own childhood for you to sign. What a happy moment. :]

Roberto said...

It was a pleasure meeting you and your gracious wife, Jeanette, at the LAAFA lectures in beautiful Van Nuys, California. Your lectures were outstanding, well prepared and very enteresting!
The Academy is a creative oasis, with very talented instructors and students.
I hope you found your leisurely west-coast respite relaxing, and are ready to get back to the grind. All my best -RQ

Roberto said...

It was a pleasure meeting you and your gracious wife, Jeanette, at the LAAFA lectures in beautiful Van Nuys, California. Your lectures were outstanding, well prepared and very enteresting!
The Academy is a creative oasis, with very talented instructors and students.
I hope you found your leisurely west-coast respite relaxing, and are ready to get back to the grind. All my best -RQ

Unknown said...

What was the most loved copy of Dinotopia you ever stumbled across?
:)
I brought you mine last year at AAU, but I know by all means its not the worse you've seen. Though I am rather disappointed my binding is starting to come apart.

Brandon Cline-Jones said...

when you coming to Oregon? Western and UofO want some Gurney Love!