Here’s a daring trifecta of cartoon books and events.
Bill Plympton (above) was one of the very first artist/illustrator/cartoonists I met when I started in publishing at age 17. He’s done quite well for himself as an independent animator and storyteller, with dozens of short and long films. Now a long awaited monograph is in the can.
Independently Animated: Bill Plympton: The life and Art of the King of Indie Animation (Universe) will be out in April. But I’m excited to have an advance copy today. “Academy Award–nominee Bill Plympton eschewed a career in the high-paying but soul-crushing Hollywood animation industry to explore his own creativity as an independent filmmaker. His instantly recognizable and unique style catapulted him into the pop culture stratosphere and cemented his place in the pantheon of animation greats.”
My favorite illustrated children’s book of the year (I know we’re only a month into it) Stephen Savage’s Where’s Walrus? (Scholastic) is a delightfully graphic romp through the city with a runaway walrus. And here is an equally delightful video of Savage’s errant beast. Take that Waldo!
And Cartoon Polymaths is an exhibition featuring the work of Mariscal, Winsor McCay, Richard McGuire, Paper Rad, Tony Sarg, and Saul Steinberg; Curated by Bill Kartalopoulos. All my favorite artists in one critical mass.
The opening reception is on February 3, 2011 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at the Sheila C. Johnson Design Center, Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Gallery, Parsons The New School for Design, Fifth Avenue at 13th Street. The show is on view until income tax day, April 15, 2011.
