Peter Ellenshaw Art

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Peter Ellenshaw Biography

Born in 1913, barely a year before World War I was to assail England with bomb-dropping zeppelins and an economic downturn that would last for decades, master painter Peter Ellenshaw would spend his early years in hardship. War was the devil that haunted all of us, driving out happier memories, he writes in is pictorial autobiography, Ellenshaw Under Glass (Camphor Tree Publishers, 2003).

Ellenshaw’s father died in 1921, and his mother soon married the groundskeeper on an estate in Kent. Ellenshaw’s biological father had family living in Wilton Castle, near Enniscorthy, Ireland, and prior to his father’s death, Peter had been attending a private school in which he was taught, among other things, fine social graces. This ended abruptly as his mother remarried and his family moved into cramped living quarters on the estate his new stepfather tended to. Here, instead of kindly doffing his hat for the ladies, the seven-year old Ellenshaw was enlisted for the purpose of holding the lantern while the latrines were emptied at night.
 
Recurrent and frequent childhood illnesses left Peter unable to pass the basic entrance exams for grammar school, and at his mother’s suggestion, he became an auto mechanic at 14. Simultaneously, his mother also encouraged him to develop his artistic talent, especially painting and drawing. It was in this manner that Peter managed to keep his floundering self-esteem afloat. [I] Certainly developed an inferiority complex, he wrote years later. “because in England, dirty unskilled work was the lowest rung on the social ladder.

It was around this time that Ellenshaw had a chance meeting with a local artist who would later mentor him not only in painting on canvas, but in painting on glass for the purpose of creating matte backgrounds for film. This man would play a pivotal role in his life in several ways. Percy Pop Day, as he was called, was to become a legend in pioneering visual effects for film. Later a recipient of the O.B.E., Days relationship with Ellenshaw became one of mentor-apprentice, as the younger of the two began working alongside the elder doing visual effect work for studios.

After serving his country as an RAF pilot in World War II, Ellenshaw returned to work for Mr. Day at the studios. After a brief yearlong stint at MGM, Ellenshaw left in 1947 upon receiving a call to work for Walt Disney Studios on the film, Treasure Island. As it turned out, his partnership with Disney would last over thirty years and earn him five Oscar nominations. For his work on “Mary Poppins” in which he recreated scenes of Edwardian London in 102 different mattes, he won an Academy Award. Walt Disney became Ellenshaw’s mentor and friend, spurring him on continually to perfect his craft and push the creative envelope. Walt was the dominant figure in my life for all those years,” he wrote years later. He talked to me as a father would. I cherished our relationship. However, after Walt Disney passed away in 1968, making movies wasn’t the same anymore. After Walt was gone, things were different, he wrote in his autobiography. I ceased to be as interested in film making.

At this time more than ever, Ellenshaw became more engrossed with his second career” – painting landscapes for the sheer beauty of it. By 1968, it was occupying every possible spare moment as he scurried to keep up with the demand created by galleries and collectors.

Disney’s The Black Hole in 1976 was Ellenshaw’s last film for Disney Studios, viewed both as an artistic masterpiece and a cinematic failure. Ellenshaw began to broaden his Hollywood horizons at that point, working on Superman IV with son Harrison in 1984.

The work of Peter Ellenshaw is represented in both public and private galleries worldwide. He has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including those by the American Film Institute, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Film Institute in Chicago, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the R.W. Norton Art Museum in Shreveport, Louisiana, and the Disney Legends Awards.

In February of 2007, Peter passed away peacefully at his home in Santa Barbara, California. He was 93 years of age.

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Michelle St. Laurent Art

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Michelle St.Laurent was born and raised in New Jersey, the oldest of four children in a large Italian family. At a young age, Michelle was inspired by Italian Renaissance painters Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. 

She began painting at the age of 6 and asked for a new paint set on every birthday. In the first grade she entered a poster contest creating a painting of all the Disney characters marching in a parade. The judges disqualified her because they could not believe she had done the painting by herself without tracing. Her disappointment fueled her determination to become an artist. Filling many sketchbooks by the age of ten, Michelle began working with pastels drawing portraits of singers and movie stars. She won first place in a local art show and her piece was displayed in the town’s City Hall.

Michelle made it her goal to become a Disney Artist when her family moved to Florida at the age of 16. She worked in the Magic Kingdom throughout high school then attended the Art Institute in Ft. Lauderdale, majoring in Advertising and Design.

During college, Michelle created artwork for night clubs and radio stations. Continuing to fill her sketch books and grow as an artist, Michelle began working as a scenic artist for theme parks and production companies, painting murals, show sets and props.

After gathering years of experience, Michelle was hired by Disney Design Group where she has spent the last ten years creating artwork for Disney’s Theme Park Merchandise and special events. She trained, worked and was inspired by Disney legend Ralph Kent for the first 6 years. Michelle began painting for the Disney Galleries in 1998, and became a true Disney artist. Her talent evolved with each piece. “Through my paintings I aspire to recreate the classic Disney magic, which allows each of us to be a kid again. Michelle’s work has been featured at Disney’s Festival of the Masters, Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival, Magic Kingdom’s 999 Happy Haunts Event, Disneyana Conventions and Disney Cruise Line.

Michelle now lives in Florida with her husband and daughter, where she spends time painting on their front porch. Her art feeds her life’s passion and her family fuels her passion for life.

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Tim Rogerson Art

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TIM ROGERSON


As a rising star in the art world, Tim Rogerson casts his artwork with a very evident energy and passion. Inspired by the works of Edgar Degas and Malcolm Liepke, the North Carolinanative has embarked on an artistic journey that has taken him from Degas to Disney to darling of the industry.

Born in Kissimmee, FL, Mr. Rogerson was forced to move with his family to North Carolina at the age of four because of family health concerns. His father, who at the time, was employed by Walt Disney World as Show Director in charge of managing and maintaining all of the performances in the park, made every day a magical adventure for the future artist, even though they no longer had the safety umbrella of Disney.

Mr. Rogerson grew up living the everyday life of a kid, playing outside and “hanging out” with friends, however, the artistic urge to create was always present, compelling him to apply the pictures and images in his head to paper and canvas.

Every child has a dream. For Mr. Rogerson, it was to be an artist as well as satisfying his desire to return to his home-state; back to the magical kingdom from which he came. Of course being surrounded by the whimsical images of Disney characters, even after his family moved to North Carolina; his father was an avid Disney collector and supporter, didn’t help curb his appetite for the Sunshine State. However, it was these images that helped form some of Mr. Rogerson’s style, which has begun to earn him critical acclaim.

Fulfilling his dream of returning to Florida, Mr. Rogerson was accepted as a student at the prestigious Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, majoring in Illustration. “I was a very traditional art student and explored all works; from the old masters to modern art,” says the artist. “My influences include Degas and John Singer Sargent; with his perfect, confident brushstrokes…their work has allowed me to push the envelope with my own abstraction of life.

Using the medium of oil paints, Mr. Rogerson focuses on capturing people in social settings, My work will always evolve, becoming more complex and detailed, says Mr. Rogerson.

While studying at the Ringling School, Mr. Rogerson gained the reputation as an upcoming artist and influence in his own right. His unique style was recognized when he was awarded the 2003 Best Painter Award from Ringling, followed by 2003 and 2004 Best of Ringling Award. One of his recognized works was an emotionally powerful portrait of Mr. Lincoln.

Since graduating from Ringling in 2004, Mr. Rogerson has contributed his artistic abilities to Disney and SS Designs in Florida. Currently, Mr. Rogerson is taking the art world by storm with his whimsical imagery for Disney Fine Art and this summer’s launch of Tim Rogerson’s Cosmopolitan POP: A Series of Paintings About Everyday Life and the Games People Play; a series of collections of works that showcase the lighterside of life. “I want my paintings to celebrate life and stay fresh… I try to stay away from the basic routine and technique because my joy for painting comes from the challenge of creating something entirely new,” says the artist about Cosmopolitan POP. In preview, this series has already won critical acclaim by the trade and his peers.

Mr. Rogerson’s latest success has come in the form of an official title. Named an Official Artist of the 2006 U.S. Olympic Winter Team, Mr. Rogerson has taken the POP world by surprise again with his colorful and impacting style. Tim Rogerson has obtained this designation by working with An Official Licensee of the U.S. Olympic Committee, Fine Art Ltd.

Rogerson’s piece titled “US Olympic Winter Team 2006″ will be released as both a limited edition giclée in an edition of 250 and an open edition poster. His contribution will help support the U.S. Olympic Winter Team.

Throughout history, the Olympic Games have been a forum for nations to peacefully compete for the prestige and honor of gold medals. U.S. Olympic Winter Team 2006″ is an ode to the American men and women who are competing peacefully in the 2006 Olympic Winter Games during such a volatile time in our history. From the graceful glide of the ice skater to the speed of the bobsled and determination of the downhill skier, Rogerson’s piece represents the passion with which the U.S. Olympic Team hopes to bring the gold home to the Red, White and Blue.

As my personal style is emerging and I break down the composition into simple shapes, with each shape having its own palette it’s a jigsaw puzzle of color to form an image, says Mr. Rogerson.