The Jacobson's take a moment to confab before the crowd arrived. Daughter Brenna helped out by selling raffle tickets throughout the evening and was a contributing artist, mom Rina is a council member and volunteer community ambassador for the Center. Mr. J., well, did as dads and husbands do.
These patrons of the Center bid often and won often!
Tracy Tanner (left), the Council's most-excellent president, says hello to her friend, David.
Rachael O'Connell, a contributing artist, and her husband, David.
The Zives make the scene! Thanks for becoming a member of the Center, Paul!
Andrea Salisbury, who contributed two canvases to the Red Dot Auction, and her husband.
John Yetsko, left, and his wife, Leigh, and son, John, Jr. (far right) with contributing artist Eric Scales.
The Sleeper sisters, Jennifer and Debbie (left and right, respectively), flank Linda Jones Clough, daughter of Chuck Jones and founding trustee of the Center. All three were contributing artists to the Red Dot Auction.
Artist Eric Scales and his contribution, a hilarious and spot-on portrait of Michigan J. Frog!
Tracy Tanner, Nancy Evans, photographer Pasquale Ferazzoli (who donated two beautiful photographs) and the Center's amazing program administrator, Sasha Advani. Thank you, Sasha, for all of your help and assistance–we couldn't have done it without you!
Mike Dicken, national sales director for the Chuck Jones Galleries, gives Chuck Redux the "if you post this photo, you'll be in deep …." look.
Oh, here's trouble: From left, Michael Young of Collector's Editions (love you, mean it) with contributing artist, Mike Kungl, and Craig Kausen, chairman of the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity try to keep quiet while auctioneer, Eric Ross does his thing.
Carol Erickson, left, art consultant at the Chuck Jones Gallery in Costa Mesa, with Linda Jones Clough. Bare walls = a successful Red Dot Auction!
As the night wound down, winning bidders and artists got together for Chuck Redux's camera. Here we have contributing artist, Joseph Yakovetic with patrons of the arts, John Tanner (center) and son Nick who were the winning bidders of Joseph's portrait of Chuck Jones. Also, Nick helped out last night by selling raffle tickets and taking photos, thank you Nick!
Producer of Nickelodeon's long-running "Dora the Explorer" and other animated series, Jeff DeGrandis, far left, with John, Jr., Leigh, and John Yetsko. They used their Red Dot on Jeff's "Chuck Jones as Ralph Phillips" or is it "Ralph Phillips as Chuck Jones"? Either way, it was a fab contribution to the success of the Red Dot Auction! Thank you, Jeff! And thank you to the Yetsko's!
Thank you everyone for making last night such a resounding success. We appreciate you!
Arrival photos and event photos from the Center's professional photographer, Stephen Russo, will be posted later this week. Look for them!
This entry was posted in Chuck Jones Center for Creativity, Events: Past, Present & Future and tagged art and artists, Chuck Jones Center for Creativity, Craig Kausen, Disney, Eric Scales, fundraiser, Jeff DeGrandis, Joseph Yakovetic, Linda Jones Clough, live auction, Mike Kungl, Mike Peraza, raffles, Red Dot Auction, silent auction, Warner Bros. on May 12, 2013 by Robert Patrick.
Live Bidding at the Red Dot Auction!
The Center is truly thankful to all of the artists and wonderful people who have worked their creative magic to bring this year's Red Dot Auction together!
of a talented visual artist and having conversations about art and creativity.
Mike Kungl and his wife, Dana, at their home and studio in the hills of Orange County.
supplemented by a $1000 gift certificate from 24 Carrots catering donated by Jon Brown and Norm Bennett, the owners of 24 Carrots.
bottles of wine, special Road Runner & Wile E. Coyote goblets, a Jones family-owned Levi jacket from the Warner Bros.
to Hollywood! Also, you'll receive "Bugs Conductor" hand-embellished by Linda Jones. This fine art reproduction on canvas resides in some of the great symphony halls around the globe that have been the venue for performances of "Bugs Bunny at the Symphony."
This entry was posted in Chuck Jones Center for Creativity, Events: Past, Present & Future, The Art of Chuck Jones and tagged Bugs Bunny, Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, Chuck Jones, creativity, George Daugherty, learn to draw, live auction, Mike Kungl, Mike Peraza, Red Dot Auction, studio visit on May 8, 2013 by Robert Patrick.
Meet Leonard Maltin at Creativity Season!
Costa Mesa, CA: The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity announced today that noted film critic, author, and historian, Leonard Maltin will be the special host for the fall fundraiser, Creativity Season, to be held Saturday, September 22, 2012 from 6 PM to 10 PM at the Center, 3321 Hyland Avenue, Suite B, Costa Mesa, CA in the South Coast Collection (SoCo). Creativity Season will include a Chuck Jones Big Draw starring several of today’s most noted artists working in animation and other media.
“Red Carpet” tickets are $100.00 per person and include an exclusive cocktail party to meet Mr. Maltin along with artists and film directors such as Rob Minkoff (director, “The Lion King”), Kelly Asbury, (director “Gnomeo and Juliet”), George Daugherty (Creator and Conductor of “Bugs Bunny on Broadway”), and Mike Peraza (Disney Art Director “The Little Mermaid”).
“Gala” tickets are $50.00 and include cocktails beginning at 7 PM, the Chuck Jones Big Draw, and dinner. Silent and live auctions will be presented throughout the evening and after dinner Mr. Maltin will deliver a short paean to Chuck Jones.
The evening will be catered by the Center’s partner, 24 carrots Catering & Events. Tickets may be purchased online at http://bit.ly/CreativitySeasonTickets or by phone at 949-660-7793.
Jeff DeGrandis: Producer of Dora the Explorer, Director for Chuck Jones Enterprises, Animator at Disney and Warner Bros.
Mike Peraza: Disney Art Director The Little Mermaid, Warner Bros. Animation Director, Production Designer- Anastasia, Concept- Ice Age, Beauty & Beast, Roger Rabbit, Aladdin, Ducktales, Darkwing Duck; Disney Parks Designer Carsland, Fantasyland.
The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity was founded in 1999 by four-time Academy Award recipient and legendary animation creator and director, Chuck Jones. The Center’s vision is to inspire the innate creative genius within each person that leads to a more joyous, passionate, and harmonious life and world.
These are important goals, particularly in today’s world, when arts education is practically non-existent; we are dedicated to re-invigorating the creative spirit and we are doing it through art classes, exhibitions, lectures, and film festivals, all of which spring from the material in the Chuck Jones archive. Jones was a determined saver and his writings, art, and other ephemera from a nine-decade life, along with his philosophy of guiding and nurturing instruction, form the basis of our programs.
For more information, photo files, or to arrange an interview, please call Robert Patrick at 949-660-7791 x 22103 or via email rpatrick@ChuckJonesCenter.org.
This entry was posted in Chuck Jones Center for Creativity, Events: Past, Present & Future, Press Releases/Media Coverage and tagged 24 carrots, Chuck Jones, Craig Kausen, Creativity Season, Eric Goldberg, fundraiser, George Daugherty, Jeff DeGrandis, John Ramirez, Kelly Asbury, Leonard Maltin, Linda Jones Clough, live auction, Mike Peraza, raffles, Rob Minkoff, silent auction on August 13, 2012 by Robert Patrick.
The Chuck Jones Gallery unveiled its new and improved website today. Redesigned, reorganized, and refreshed, ChuckJonesGallery.com is ready to assist you with your collecting needs. Whether its Chuck Jones (our specialty!), the Chuck Jones Centennial Homage Artists (James Coleman, Eric Goldberg, Mike Kungl, Mike Peraza, Tennessee Loveless, to name but a few), Fabio Napoleoni, Markus Pierson, or many of DC Comics most well-known artists, such as Alex Ross and Jim Lee, the Chuck Jones Gallery website is your destination for the finest art of the animated film, comics, and an exceptional selection of artists whose work inspires.
Of course, we represent all major animation studios as well as the Secret Art of Dr. Seuss. Join us today and take our new website for a spin! Who knows what work of art might jump out at you, begging you to take it home.
This entry was posted in Other Artists of Note, Press Releases/Media Coverage, The Art of Chuck Jones and tagged Alex Ross, Centennial Homage artists, Chuck Jones, Dr. Seuss, Eric Goldberg, Fabio Napoleoni, improved, James Coleman, Jim Lee, Markus Pierson, Mike Kungl, Mike Peraza, new, Tennessee Loveless, website on July 6, 2012 by Robert Patrick.
We were absolutely charmed by the paper sculptures created by artist Mike Peraza, but also baffled by how he was able to construct them so beautifully and elegantly. Each of them requires many hours of painstaking work; the detail is phenomenal.
*There are plans afoot to create limited edition works on canvas from original paintings by Mike Peraza in the "Chuck Jones Homage" series. Stay tuned!
This entry was posted in Video of the Day and tagged art director, Chuck Jones, Disney, hand-cut, homage, Mike Peraza, paper sculptures, Warner Bros. on May 23, 2012 by Robert Patrick.
The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity: Gala Grand Opening at South Coast Collection!
Where to start? It's taken a day just to decompress after all of the hoopla and foopla and other oopla's, but we're here to tell you that Saturday night at 3321 Hyland Avenue, Costa Mesa was a rock 'em, sock 'em, knock-out of an evening! The doors opened at 6 PM and within a few minutes the 8000 square foot space was filled to the brim with southern California's brightest and best. Artists, animators, writers, and actors, event planners, wedding strategists, publicists, and collectors all converged (harmonically even) to celebrate the partnership of the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity with 24 carrots Catering & Events.
Raffle winners (with many thanks to Lauren (11) and David (9) who tirelessly worked the room selling raffle tickets) chose from a wall of art; hundreds crowded around the Silent Auction wall and placed their bids; it seemed at times that there were a thousand people there, but more likely something like 400 friends and supporters of creativity, along with lovers of the art of Chuck Jones (which was everyone) came together to support the educational programs of the Center. We thank and salute you for your gracious and generous donations. Please take a bow!
Chairman of the Center and Chuck's grandson, Craig Kausen, with his wife, Flavorful chef and one of the night's silent auction donors, Kimberley, greeted and shmoozed, shook hands and air-kissed, laughed and shared their love of creativity with the assembled.
The evening would not have been complete without the creative energy of Chuck Jones's daughter, Linda Jones Clough, seen here with her sons Todd and Craig along with Craig's son, Charlie. It was a multi-generational kind-of-night!
Special guest, Jeff Degrandis (left), producer and director of Nickelodeon's "Dora the Explorer", "Go, Diego, Go!" and other animated series, and one of Chuck's "Dover Boys", spoke lovingly about the effect Chuck's friendship and mentoring had on him and his career and life during the presentation before the live auction portion of the evening.
Marian Jones, wife of Chuck Jones, with her friend Dickson Shafer, enjoyed the evening.
To keep the children who joined us busy, as well as many of the adults, an art project to 'obliterate' a wall and furniture with color-form stickers was set up in one corner of the Center's new space. It turned out beautifully and will be an ongoing project at the Center.
Husband-and-wife-artists Patricia and Mike Peraza made the scene. Mike is participating in the Homage to Chuck Jones series of original and limited edition work that is being created to celebrate Chuck Jones's Centennial this year.
Writer, blogger, and cartoon historian, Jerry Beck, was one of the well-wishers, seen here with friend Yvette Kaplan.
Jon Brown (left), co-owner of 24 carrots Catering & Events, addresses the crowd before the live auction. Thank you 24 carrots, we wouldn't be in this beautiful, new space without you! 24 carrots Catering & Events provided an outstanding series of buffet tables laden with delectable goodies from "build your own" sliders to exotic cheeses and liquid nitrogen infused popcorn (you breath fire like a dragon when you eat it!) They even created a new drink just for this event, a Carrotini! Everyone said it was delish.
Robert Patrick (left) of the Center and Linda Jones Enterprises puts his head together with Phillip Trigas, architect (of RTK Architects in Culver City), and the designer of the new space for Chuck Jones Center for Creativity. By the way, one lucky bidder will have 3 one-hour sessions with Phil as he guides them through the steps to producing an architectural rendering. He graciously donated his time as a silent auction item.
Here's Craig sharing his feelings about his grandfather and creativity before the live auction.
Here's what Craig was facing during his presentation. Estimated attendance, 375.
Our favorite muralist and actor, James C. Mulligan, painted throughout the evening a new mural on one of the tower entrance walls…watch this space for its completion!
Collectors Louis and Sandra Lozano (2nd & 3rd from left) enjoyed their Carrotinis with the Yetsko's; Johnny (far left), John, Leigh, and Matt.
Artist Bob Elias with friend enjoyed the proceedings.
Vivienne and John Ramirez (left, John is the designer of the Chuck Jones Experience at Circus Circus in Las Vegas) with Neil Cantor and Jeff Degrandis (far right).
Artist, beard-grower, and all around great guy, Mike Kungl, with his charming and delightful wife, Dana, made the scene that much livelier and fun. Mike has been working on a series of works that will be part of the Chuck Jones Centennial Homage series.
A special thank you and shout-out to Stephen Russo, seen here with the Center's Program Director, Pamela Marsden, who provided Chuck Redux with all of these phenomenal photos! Thank you, Stephen!
This entry was posted in Chuck Jones Center for Creativity, Events: Past, Present & Future and tagged 24 carrots, Bob Elias, catering, Center, Chuck Jones, Craig Kausen, creativity, events, gala, grand-opening, James C. Mulligan, Jeff DeGrandis, Jerry Beck, John Ramirez, Jon Brown, Linda Jones Clough, Mike Kungl, Mike Peraza, Phillip Trigas, Robert Patrick, South Coast Collection, Wile E. Coyote on January 30, 2012 by Robert Patrick.
The Big Day: The Chuck Jones Experience Opens With a Big Kaboom!
The Chuck Jones Experience at Circus Circus, Las Vegas, opened Thursday, January 19th with a big kaboom!
On hand to inaugurate the new space were artists (from left) Jeff DeGrandis, producer and director of "Dora the Explorer" and other Nickelodeon cartoons; Eric Goldberg, renowned Disney animator and director who had also worked with Chuck Jones; Mike Peraza, Disney art director ("The Little Mermaid" and many others); muralist and actor, James C. Mulligan; celebrated mat painter and fine artist, James Coleman; emerging POP/OP artist Tennessee Loveless, Art Deco-inspired artist, Mike Kungl, and surf artist, Bob Elias (not shown). All of the artists are creating artwork for the Chuck Jones Centennial Homage series to be released throughout 2012. Watch this space for more information!
There was speechifying: Craig Kausen, grandson of Chuck Jones and Chairman of the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity acted as the Master of Ceremonies and kept the assembled journalists, photographers, videographers, fans, and collectors laughing and the proceedings humming along.
Craig (left) introduced Neil Cantor, managing director of The Chuck Jones Experience, and the man who 17 years ago had dinner with Bill Hanna, Joe Barbera, and Chuck Jones where his idea for the Experience first blossomed.
Don Thrasher (right), President of Circus Circus enjoyed the Experience and officially welcomed it to the hotel.
The Jones Family was on hand to celebrate, from left: Todd Kausen, Valerie Kausen, Marian Jones, Linda Jones Clough, and Craig Kausen.
The inimitable animator and director, Eric Goldberg, shared with the crowd his love of all things Chuck Jones and how, over the years, Jones has influenced his work.
"Dover Boys" Rob Minkoff (left) and Jeff DeGrandis (right) flank Craig Kausen. "The Dover Boys", so named by Linda Jones Clough, were a young group of students at CalArts that Chuck took a shine to and mentored over the remaining years of his life.
Visit The Chuck Jones Experience online for more information and make sure to add it to your "to-do" list, "bucket" list or any other list you might be making. As we celebrate the Chuck Jones Centennial (1912–2012) this year, we're hoping to reach 100,000 'likes' (or more) on Facebook. If you're not a fan already, please join us in celebrating this amazing artist's life and times.
This entry was posted in Chuck Jones Experience and tagged artists, Bob Elias, Chuck Jones Experience, Circus Circus, Craig Kausen, creativity, Eric Goldberg, grand-opening, James Coleman, Jeff DeGrandis, Jimmy Mulligan, Las Vegas, Linda Jones Clough, Mike Kungl, Mike Peraza, Rob Minkoff, Tennessee Loveless on January 21, 2012 by Robert Patrick.