WonderCon 2014 - Costume Party --- post 3 of 3 on con

One of the great joys of a con is the cosplay community. I don't know much about this realm of fandom, but I certainly admire the creativity and commitment that goes into becoming a live performance of a beloved character. What's particularly charming is the way the costume invites interaction with the other attendees. Wear a striking costume -- or just dress up as a fan fav character -- and folks will address you by the character's name, ask kindly for a photo op, share chit chat, and go on to the next adventure. From what I've observed ... it all starts with inspiration.... (meow --- zah :)

From there, many opt to construct their own costume (these range from casual attempts to feature film "screen-ready" in detail). And of course there are vendors to assist the transformation with everything from props and wigs to elaborate replicas ....

Many of the costumed attendees gather outside the main entrance of the convention center for photo ops -- so you don't even have to pay the con admission fee to enjoy the experience. Many also roam the lobby --- and you need roaming room in some of these get-ups -- to enjoy interacting with fans and colleagues. Here's just a sampling of some of my favorites:
Elf girl power rocks! Tauriel and Merida...

Flash and Wonder Woman look fit and smashing in red!

Unexpected Disney paring of baskets and blasters.... Aurora and Leia

Sidekicks represent --- this was an outstanding young trooper Russell (with Doug the dog)

This Ripley has bonded with baby aliens....

 and this attendee came in plainclothes .. but with a lively rattie sidekick (puppeted by his companion)

Superheroes abound ...

but you can expect the unexpected as well..

Some other favorites I saw but didn't get photos of:
Guy Slave Leia w/ companion gal Boba Fett; Steampunk Boba Fett; Bumblebee with lights flashing and powered by a segway.
One of the longest lines everyday at the con was the mandatory weapons check....

Not sure how this Wolfman passed ... but his companion certainly got a lot of attention (sorry for the blurry action shot).

Mary Blair concept art featured on Disney site

Forgive a post that may seem like shameless plug for a Disney site, but had to share due to lovely concept art for Small World, Alice in Wonderland (both by Mary Blair) ... and a nice Sleeping Beauty panel.

http://www.dlrptoday.com/2014/03/27/the-art-of-disney-on-demand-adds-mary-blair-more-for-small-worlds-50th/

blog post by Andreas Deja

Instructive, inspiring blog "Deja View" by gifted animator Andreas Deja has been featured here before ... but highlighting it again for fun post on "remembering Aladdin" with pic of crew ... and also Andreas' recent post on Marc Davis. Check it out here:

http://andreasdeja.blogspot.com/

POST UPDATED 4/21 & 5/23 -- photos from Mary Blair exhibit at Walt Disney Family Museum

THIS UPDATED AGAIN ON 5/23 with more NEW PICS ADDED AT THE END OF THE POST.
Wanted to share photos from recently opened "Magic, Color, Flair the World of Mary Blair" exhibit at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco.
For more on Mary Blair --- also see my posts from Oct 21, 2011 for Motion Picture Academy panel and tribute ... here is link to Academy video of that Oct 2011 panel:
http://www.oscars.org/events-exhibitions/events/2011/10/blair.html
Here is link to museum with details about the current Mary Blair show now in San Francisco:
http://www.waltdisney.org/blair

The exhibit is held in the annex building .. in the recently renamed Diane Disney Miller Exhibition Hall. The layout of the exhibit uses color and flair to showcase Mary's range of art ... there's even a little interactive moment where you can use a tablet to "flip through" images from a featured Mary Blair sketchbook..

 This fun work below from a Little Golden Book project features a 'People' magazine on the table...

There's a good biography of Mary Blair on the "Magic of Mary Blair" website run by her nieces, Maggie Richardson and Jeanne Chamberlain
http://magicofmaryblair.com/about-mary.htm

Here's Stuart with the Mary Blair original from his own personal collection that he loaned for the exhibit. It's an illustration work, circa 1930s and untitled. We don't know much about it ... a mystery waiting to be solved.

The exhibit also includes works from the museum's own collection ... like these charming Blair originals of Alice and Wonderland ... and Peruvian children.. that were gifts from Mary Blair to Walt Disney and hung in the Disney family home for years...

There was a lovely series of painting of the seasons ...

And this pretty landscape of winter shadows ...

Concept art on display included works from Peter Pan ...

and Cinderella...

Stuart liked this landscape from the South American trip that Blair went on with other Disney artists...

There are some special Mary Blair items featured in the museum's gift shop..

And this fun mural makes for a great photo op ..

Stuart was invited the special preview ... where he enjoyed meeting and talking with Mary Blair fans, colleagues and family members. Here he is in conference with Maggie Richardson, Mary Blair's niece.

Stuart also got to chat with Alice Davis ... a Disney legend for her work as a costume designer. She collaborated with Mary Blair on It's a Small World. Alice was also married to the Disney artist Marc Davis.

Here are Stuart and Maggie at the end of the event. This exhibit is a wonderful celebration of Mary Blair ... be sure to see it.

MORE PICTURES HERE (5/23/14)

UPDATE -- EXTENDED DEADLINE & ADDITIONAL PRIZE in HELPFUL BEAR PRODUCTIONS CREATURE DESIGN CONTEST

UPDATE --- ENTRY DEADLINE EXTENDED. Submit your entry now through NEW DATE OF JAN 1st!
Plus new Prize added! The winner of Helpful Bear Productions' Creature Design Contest will be featured in issue 106 of ImagineFX magazine!

Winner also receives hardcover copy of Animals Real and Imagined ... AND a one-on-one video chat critique with creature designer Terryl Whitlatch! more info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/452193294886894/