An interview with storyteller extraordinaire, Brad Bird….

Look carefully. This could almost be a matte painting. But it just happens to be the sky in that fragile moment in between storms. You can find a moment of clarity and beauty if you only pause, and let yourself notice. Taken from my window…

In Syria, Ali Farzat finds that newspaper editors are unwilling to publish his cartoons for fear that they will be punished by the government. Farzat’s cartoons are often critical of figures in authority, making him a target of a government which prefers to censor works that it deems embarassing.

Well, sorry for the delay in between posts. I just learned that Elegy won a Special Jury Award for Animation at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, TX! Unfortunately I missed the awards show, having left Austin that same morning. But what a fantastic time it was at the festival! Austin is a great town. Elements of it remind me of San Francisco — namely the people and the the eclectic atmosphere. The festvial itself is very well known and regarded, so it’s a fantastic honor to have my animation recognized by the jury. Check out the other winners!

The environment ministry of Turkey has said it will change the Latin names of three native animals found on its territory, to remove references to Armenia and Kurdistan. It seems Armenians were linked to the wild sheep and the roe deer, while Kurds were compared to the red fox.

Enrico Casarosa is the architect behind this very cool premise. On Sunday, March 6th, artists from all over the world will meet, wherever they are, and spend the day wandering through their city, documenting their day through drawings. People post their drawings to the site when the day is done to share with everyone. Now, artists generally take their books out to draw on their own, but this is an actual organized event that will happen simultaneously in several different countries. How Enrico got this to be an international event I have no idea, but it’s probably the coolest thing ever. And a great way to make artist-friends in your area!