Recollections of the " Nine Old Men" Part 1

 In my previous blog post I highlighted some of the moments from the promotional book tour of "Walt's Imagination".  I forgot to mention my visit to the Nine Old Men" exhibit at the Walt Disney Family Museum.  This exhibit is sumptuous with drawings, photos, caricatures, and art by the animators who Walt relied on most to make his feature cartoon creations immortal.  My dear friend, Don Hahn,  did a terrific job organizing this amazing work. I find it hard to say who my favorite is, but I did start to tear up when I saw a drawing under glass that animator Ollie Johnston did of the character "Penny" from the "Rescuers".  I remember watching him doing that very drawing. I was a fledgling  animator assigned to work on the character "Penny" under Ollie's supervision. He taught me how to get appeal, grace, and style in my drawings. I had a copy of that very drawing hanging over my desk for 2 1/2 years. I hope to be as good a mentor as Ollie was to me. 

In the front row are Eric Larson, Frank Thomas, Art Stevens, Ollie Johnston, and Woolie Reitherman. That's me, in the back on the right in the checked shirt.