Sparks Reloaded: Master Series 2024, Vancouver Canada

  Attendees and presenter (below) at the Roundhouse, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

British Columbia's only Academy Awards accredited Film Festival- Canada's screen award qualifying festival.
                                               

(Photographer- Marina Antunes)

Ticket (below) front and back for the SPARKS Reloaded: Master Series

(Photographer- Darrell Carr)

                                         

(Photographer- Darius Carter)

 This past weekend (September 21,2024) I had the opportunity to conduct a 'masterclass' in Vancouver, BC Canada. I had been invited some weeks earlier by Keith Blackmore (below), Producer and Conference Chairman of Spark CG Society.

(Photograph-Kate Drabkin)

 The trip north officially started for me that Thursday after class ended at Mt San Antonio College, in the city of Walnut in southern California, where I instruct a fundamental drawing class, that ended at 6:20pm.

A fifteen minute drive home to finish packing, double checking to confirm I have everything needed for the four, one hour sessions...PowerPoint on thumb drive, china markers for drawing, extra batteries for pointer, passport, sketchbook, extra pens, facemask, change of clothes, toiletries, ticket number on cell phone etc. Then to bed for a short nights sleep.

I questioned why the airline suggest getting to the airport three hours early for an international flight...until I saw the length of the lines going through TSA at 6am.

Once through the security check I did some sketching of travelers waiting for their x-rayed carryon luggage, pat downs and re-dressing themselves.

I did not get to see much of Vancouver, I was there for such a short time. Fly up Friday, workshop all day Saturday and early flight out Sunday morning. Keith picked me up at the airport and we took the 'scenic' route. I got some grand views of the coast line and scenery on the way to the hotel.

A good nights sleep prepared me for the days activities. Driving from his home to the hotel, Keith and I walked the short distance to the venue. We arrived early for a sound check  and to make sure the electronics were compatible for the slide presentations.

On with the show...

 Storytelling Through Quick Sketching: The Artist's Secret Weapon- about to begin.

The sessions consisted of my life growing up in the little town of Monrovia, CA, quick sketching, illustration and ended with animation. Me, explaining how they all contributed to who I am today.

 I demonstrate how these three art disciplines interrelate to one another-quicksketchillustrationanimation is what I call it.

Explaining the simplicity of basic shapes (below)...

(Photographer-Kate Drabkin)

(Photographer- Kate Drabkin)

  audience participation helped me draw across my point (left).

(Photographer- Kate Drabkin)

When I can't find the words or draw an image, I act it out:- ) right and below:- )..

(Photographer- Kate Drabkin)

 Each session was followed by question and answer conducted by Dave Burgess (below).

We had contributed our drawing talents to Disney Feature Animation, having been on several productions together.

Dave's background as a character animator gave him an insiders unique understanding to pepper me with questions that kept the audience attentive and entertained.

(Photographer-Kate Drabkin)

(Photographer-Kate Drabkin)

 

I also fielded questions from the audience (below).

From the comments I got at the signing, my answers gave them insights that would encourage and inspire them to continue to develop their artistic talents and appreciate the abilities they have been blessed with..

(Photographer-Kate Drabkin)

We ended the day with some door prizes by calling the number on their tickets.

And the winners...

This young lady received a copy of my book Quick Sketching with Ron Husband (above).

(Photographer- Kate Drabkin)

   More prizes by numbers- about a half dozen lanyards designed by my son Jai with the Quick Sketching by Ron Husband motif printed on them.

(Photographer- Kate Drabkin)

For the next hour and a half I got to sign autographs and chat with those in attendance.

(Photographer- Kate Drabkin)

(Photographer- Kate Drabkin)

My thanks and appreciation go out to Keith Blackmore and is staff at the Spark Animation Festival 2024 for inviting me into your world of animation expression.

Until next time...