Crookie's Blog

Tattoo & Fringe dweller

2009-09-21T02:22:00.000-07:00

I'd like to put together an animated music video which I hope to finish soon, so in the meantime it's back to pictures. These are two pieces finished a while ago. "Tattoo" is painted on discarded wood, and the companion sculpture entitled "fringe dweller" is also made of wood.

Panning Test (week 3)

2009-09-13T08:50:00.000-07:00

With more time I would definitely make the scenery more interesting, but as a small experiment it serves it's purpose. The music is by Ennio Morricone.

Blockhead test (week 2)

2009-09-04T11:31:00.000-07:00

A small piece of animation to understand timing and perspective.

Timeline test (week 1)

2009-08-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

My first animation in about 10 years. I just wanted to figure out how to use a timeline and sync some music. Clearly there's a million things to learn, but I have to start somewhere. The music is by Nick Drake.

Avatar

2009-08-25T07:03:00.001-07:00

Gouache/Photoshop

Old Wood

2009-08-13T02:27:00.000-07:00

Shift

2009-08-01T04:56:00.000-07:00

Moon Landing

2009-07-25T02:49:00.000-07:00

40 years ago this month it happened-or did it?! Some would suggest it didn't.

Dreaming Dog.

2009-07-14T06:48:00.000-07:00

New Old Mickey Project

2009-07-02T12:21:00.000-07:00

An old project that didn't lift off. I was playing around with Mickey as a collectible toy. In essence he's a robot/machine in each of the situations-a submarine,a buddha, a lantern-or even a Geisha Robot Minnie. I'm not sure any of them work or feel like a Mickey franchise, but sometimes I believe Disney merchandise can simply be appealing graphic interpretations, and nothing more.

Day of the dead

2009-05-24T08:15:00.000-07:00

Marvin the Martian

2009-05-18T00:45:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed this poster brief a lot-taking Marvin and doing anything I wanted with him.

3 Paintings

2009-05-12T06:01:00.000-07:00

Johnny Cash

2009-05-06T02:04:00.000-07:00

BBC2 screened a superb documentary on Johnny Cash Sunday night. I was aware of most of his movements, but didn't know he crawled into a cave with a bag full of amphetamines at one point! Coincidentally I've just finished a poster concerning the Cash. Each year there's a festival in Mississippi celebrating the fact that Johnny was once arrested for the heinous crime of picking flowers.

Howard Pearce 1919-2009

2009-04-02T10:40:00.000-07:00

My Grandfather approached life with humility, humour and inquisitiveness. The only survivor of his Wellington Bomber, he was shot down over Bremen in World War 2, marched to Poland and made a Prisoner Of War in Stalug Luft 3- the setting for "The Great Escape". Dressed as a German decorator, with impeccable forged passport and attire, he was discovered in the Tunnel "Harry" on that fateful night in March,1944. His name was amongst the 150 names placed into a hat. 50 were chosen and brutally shot dead on Hitler's orders. Returning home after the War he married Phyllis Pearce-their marriage lasting 63 years.

With a voracious appetite for History and Literature, My Grandfather was an endless source of fascination for me as I grew up. I compared him to the comic book heroes I read about in "Victor" and "Hotspur" as a little boy. Because my Dad had left home when I was 2 and my brother 4-Granddad became our father, and there was no finer as far as we were concerned. His bravery and memory will live long in our hearts.

Meeting

2009-02-18T01:56:00.000-08:00

Leaving Disney

2009-01-23T11:19:00.000-08:00

After nearly 6 years I'm leaving Disney to pursue other avenues. It's been an absolute pleasure to draw and design with these characters. I approached each project with the aim of always trying something new and interesting, whilst retaining the sentiment and sincerity of the characters. Below are examples of my professional and personal work. Please be aware that Disney owns the copyright to their properties, and will burn your church and eat your children if you use them without authorization. I'm less heavy handed. If you're interested in contacting me about work you can e-mail me at mscruickshank@btinternet.com. I'll add my new details into the "contact me" section of this ye blogge once I figure out how to do that!

Personal Work