Sunday, October 30, 2011

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Get Inspired - the story of Sketchtravel part 2

Sometimes an ending is really a beginning....

The photo above shows Daisuke "Dice" Tsutsumi and Hayao Miyazaki. Below is a stunning mini-movie from Sketchtravel.tv... it tells the story of the ending of the original Sketchtravel book's 4 and half year journey. The completion of the physical book, was also the beginning of its transformation...Click below to view this (not so final) chapter....

The end of the Journey - EN from Sketchtravel.tv on Vimeo.

Below is photo of original Sketchtravel book wooden case ...

The original book sas auctioned on Oct 17th. The auction (of original book + additional signed material) realized over $100,000US to benefit the charity Room to Read. (http://www.roomtoread.org/)

A special "aloha & mahalo" to Dice Tsutsumi for his many years of work and for achieving so many wonderful goals with this charity project. And thanks to all the artists who participated. Talk about inspiring!


The original book passed through the hands of a long list of contributors...



But before it was auctioned off.... it became the source for a published version so the drawings... and the mission of the book.. could continue. Now the published book can travel into the hands of artists, students, educators and collectors. Right now copies of the published version of the book --- complete with all the drawings! -- are making their journey to Stuart Ng Books for YOU! Watch for updates on the Stuart Ng Books website!

That's right.... for your convenience, we will soon be providing copies of this imported item via our website or in person. You can order with confidence and pay with familiar options. With mail order via the Stuart Ng Books website, your copy will shipped in a timely manner from our supply at our California showroom, and properly packaged so it arrives undamaged.

We have a special US debut planned for Sketchtravel! More details coming soon. (UPDATE NOV 4th - THE BOOKS HAVE FINISHED THEIR SEA VOYAGE, CLEARED THE PORT, AND ARE ON THE ROAD & DUE TO ARRIVE PRIOR TO CTNX Nov 18th - 20th). I will be posting updates as the books pass through their final stops to reach us here in Torrance, CA... the COUNTDOWN is on :)

Read more about the Sketchtravel project on their official website.

Get Inspired - the story of a book (SKETCHTRAVEL), part 1 (NOW WITH VIDEO)

I've discussed before here on the blog how horses inspire and challenge artists. It's a theme that resonates very strongly with me because I love stories about what inspires the best in people. This post is part one of a story that involves artists and a VERY SPECIAL BOOK, over 4 years in the making... and its journey isn't over yet....(the book isn't about horses, I just like this image of partnership :) NOW IT CAN BE TOLD.. the book is SKETCHTRAVEL!
There is a story behind every book in our inventory. A book can inspire creativity.... even a journey. I've seen people gasp with delight when I put a book in their hands. I hear the story of how they've searched for years for the book... and I tell them what I can about the copy we have. People tell me their frustrations when an out-of-print book is eluding them. I can assure them from experience that there is hope. My mantra is: "Your copy will find you." I've seen it happen... and when we get to be part of that moment, it's a great feeling to provide that service.

Whatever your occupation or interest......we're all at our best when what we "do" allows us to help others.

SKETCHTRAVEL inspired this post... This month, this extraordinary book concluded one part of its journey with a generous act..... of giving. Sold at auction.. the book project raised over $100,00. Click below to play animated "trailer" of the project:

Sketchtravel trailer ENGLISH from Sketchtravel.tv on Vimeo.


With the holidays approaching, it's a great time to reflect on all the things we are thankful for. Giving presents is one way of giving back..... and books make great gifts... but if you're feeling overwhelmed with "stuff," there are other options.

Consider supporting a cause with a contribution (or gift donation in the name of a friend or loved one). Perhaps one of these organizations might be a good fit for your holiday giving this year:


Get Inspired - Andreas Deja blog

There's a battle of the bad girls going on at Andreas Deja's blog right now :)



Pic above is from Andreas' Oct 31st post on Marc Davis' "Cruella de Vil." His post is so insightful... and he's just followed it up with a rival femme villian, "Madame Medusa" animated by Milt Kahl (see pic below).



Both posts feature rough sketches and animation drawings for the characters...a mini-tutorial on these animation icons.


Family Fun - Model Train Show 2011 at South Coast Botanic Garden

We had a blast at the annual MODEL TRAIN SHOW...this is the 1st of 3 posts!


Fun for all ages at this event.... also great for sketching & photo reference! Plus the October date means many of the model train owners bring their Halloween decor (also to scale!).

This event is held at the South Coast Botanic Gardens on Crenshaw Blvd, just south of PCH and only a few miles from our Torrance showroom. Admission fee to the Garden includes the Train Show. Most of the elaborate scale model trains are set-up inside a building... but some of the trains are outside in the garden.

More details on the Botanic Garden @ their website: http://www.southcoastbotanicgarden.org/

This is the entrance, you'll see it from the large (free) parking lot.
Once inside, there are lovely paths to wander ...
The botanic garden is not a park... but there are some gardens set aside for kids to discover..

It's a charming place to visit to enjoy the views and lush landscaping...
The walking paths are wide and wheelchair accessible... though there are hills and some rough patches...
Lots of color and majesty....
This patio near the entrance takes you to the train show....
You'll quickly feel like you're lost in time and space....
Adventure awaits!
Be sure to look closely...
You wouldn't want to miss the mermaid sunning herself on the rocks :)
The main auditorium has 3 rooms of train set-ups...

Model trains in various scales are represented...

Photography is welcome... Great practice for catching action shots!


Train show 2011, Live Wire Train Town

This is the 2nd of the 3 train posts.
Most of the set-ups are the work of train clubs... here's a sample..

The club members are enthusiastic and fun... and fascinating individuals with rich life stories. They are happy to answer your questions about the trains...
This club's trains run on electric current from the thin wires over the trains. The set-up re-creates the 1940s with all sorts of authentic details... and some quirky humor too. You could spend hours just taking photos and creating your own storyboards for a train tale....

The movie theater is playing "Streetcar Named Desire"...
Check out the lower window below...
and top side is the entrance...
for the SUBWAY STATION...
with its own running train...
Since the subway view is at kids-eye level.. they usually find it first :)
This is the train town's downtown..

good thing there are cops on duty...
because a few blocks away, there's this shoot-out in the alley...
not to mention, the "sewer rat"...
Can you spot the dinosaur guarding the orange grove...
The stockyard has lots of fun details...
some foreign flair near the oil rig....
The chain gang's hard at work...
There's drama on the bridge...
and a parked car w/ lovers at the graveyard...
Bet this diner's seen it all...
What a show!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Train show 2011, Halloween haunts

This is the 3rd of the 3 train posts...

Some of the set-ups specialized in the Halloween theme....

In spite of the spooky spook... this table was particularly kid-friendly, with a side table to press buttons and operate samples of working parts of the train set-ups... like a crossing gate...
The trains running at this station all had halloween-themed cars...



Near the entrance was this table with train t-shirts and magazines....

Yet another room featured this elabaorate train-scaled Halloween town..





Outside in the garden...you followed the path to the "G" scale trains...




Plan to come next year and create your own train story....
Can't wait til next October? Then mark your calendar for November and the 39th Annual Cal-Stewart Toy Train Meet in Pasadena. The largest club-sponsored toy train meet west of the Mississippi. Read more at their website http://www.cal-stewart.org/