A Forest Indeed

A large crowd gathered at the front of the Nucleus Store as Julie and I walked up to attend 3 Trees Make A Forest. We were immediately greeted by a bunch of familiar faces mainly members of my family including my dear brother Rick (who's currently working at Fox on Family Guy), my mom Lily and her sister Rose as well as our long time family friend from the old country Ramon Jose.





Book seller extraordinaire Stuart Ng and his friend Charles were also outside getting some air and we chatted up a bit about the three featured artists whose various prints were on clearly being appreciated by the large crowd in attendance. As we walked into the store section of Nucleus, the place buzzed with shopping activity. It's a cool little store with lots of cool books, toys, clothing and eats.

We made our way into the two-level gallery section at the rear of the store were we immediately saw Ronnie, busily entertaining the crowd and proud as ever. It must be much like showcasing your children to the world for the first time. Just like a proud father. Enrico had the same look on his face as while he sketched a little doodle on a copy of a Adventure of Mia comic someone had just bought. Tadahiro-san and his lovely wife Kuro were busy in one corner posing with well-wishers in a barrage of photography.

The room was filled with a who's who of the animation, comic and illustration world. A lot of colleagues and people I look up to as well as guys I haven't seen in years who i've had a chance to mentor who have blossomed and found their respective grooves. One in particular is story artist Rafael Zentil who now works at Blue Sky in New York. He and I worked together at Klasky-Csupo and I remember the day he went into my office professing his desire to move from design to story. I gave him much encouragement and he gives me that credit today. Quite a gratifying experience and I am happy for his success.

Among others in attendance include my colleague at Disney, director and story artist Dave Knott (Kim Possible). Batman and Teen Titans alum Glen Murakami, Flight Comics team members, Khang Le, Phil Craven and Kazu Kibuishi. I got to know Kazu a little at this year's San Diego Comic-Con and he was as friendly as ever. He even passed on some much needed comic and artistic wisdom which should come in handy!

The exhibit itself successfuly demonstrated a harmonious balance of the three artists' styles. The vogue and quaintly luminous compositions by Uesugi, the poignant and almost aquatic latin rhythm of Casarosa and the simplistically profound innocence of del Carmen. That's why almost every piece was sold by the end of the evening. But what is most amazing to me is despite their varying artistic processes, it all boils down to one thing. Vision. Whether it's oil on canvas, acrylic on rice paper, watercolor on parchment or ones and zeroes printed by a machine, it is in the soul of an artist where the art lies.

3 Trees is a resounding success and hopefully only the beginning for Ronnie, Enrico and Tadahiro's artistic collaboration. One would certainly hope that endeavors like this might inspire others to make their own forests for us to dwell in and appreciate.



A portrait of success. Ronnie, Enrico and their lawyer. I wouldn't be wearing that suit had it not been for the wedding we attended earlier. (see previous post)


I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy! Tadahiro was kind enough to pose for his millionth photo of the evening.


A passing glimpse of Ronnie's journal sketchbook as he happily rifles through it. He had momentarily mis-placed it earlier and through his smile I could tell he was panicked. A happy reunion indeed.


Tadahiro eagerly takes in the translation of Julie's query from the artist simply known as Dice


Buying frenzy! I bought a FLCL (Furi Kuri) storyboard book but I could have easily made off with several more items... oh well, I guess I'll be visiting Alhambra more often.



Who sez there's no money in art?!

Click HERE for Enrico's blog and check out his mobile posts.
Click HERE for Ted Mathot's post and pictures on Current Flavor
Click HERE for Ronnie del Carmen's Tirade