Thursday, August 23, 2007

Happy Birthday Gene Kelly!


This is just a simple dedication to the late, great Gene Kelly, who was born this day in 1912. These are a couple of pieces I did about 7 years ago or more for wall hangings at a Paris themed ballroom dancing event I took part in. I figured what would make a more appropriate decoration than an image from the classic musical, "An American in Paris", starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron, especially since it ranks up high on my list of favourite films. These figures stand about two and a half feet tall, brush inked on poster board and painted with transparent concentrated watercolours. They currently are just tacked to my wall here in my den at home, along with all sorts of movie-related collectibles.

In retrospect, I think I drew Gene's hands a little bit big, but other than that I still kind of like it. The caricature of Leslie Caron I still like a lot, and I would really like to try making a little sculpture based on this art. Anyway, I just thought it would be fun to post this today. Happy Birthday Gene - we miss you!

8 comments:

Kali Fontecchio said...

That's adorable!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY GENE, I MISS YOU TOO!

Clinton said...

I have to netflix that movie you mentioned. I have only seen Singin' in the Rain a couple of times in college. Great stuff!

David said...

Nice !

I love "An American In Paris" , too .

Gene looks good (better than I could ever do... I'm lousy at caricatures) , but I agree with you that the Leslie Caron is tops .

Clinton said...

I remember Gene Kelly dancing with Jerry in a Tom & Jerry short. Family Guy would later go on and put their own twist to it. Fun stuff!

Pete Emslie said...

Actually, that classic live-action/cartoon sequence was from "Anchor's Aweigh", where Gene co-starred with my favourite entertainer, Frank Sinatra, back when Frank weighed less than Jerry the Mouse. By the way, did you know that Jerry only got the role because MGM had first gone after Mickey but Walt Disney nixed the idea? True story.

As for the dance sequence being used on "Family Guy", with Stewie replacing Jerry, the less said the better methinks...

Pete Emslie said...

Hello Miss Kali! Glad to see you popping by for a visit. The cartoons you and Katie draw of each other are pretty adorable too! :)

Mitchel Kennedy said...

Pete, you're cool. I can't wait to see what you have to offer in class this semester. Take care! =]

John Musker said...

Your Leslie Caron is fantastic. Really captures her gamine qualities and her vivaciousness. ( and your caricatured Heather sketches are cool, too.)