jimmy pickering

what the . . .

2011-11-25T16:37:00.001-08:00

yellow

2011-11-25T16:34:00.000-08:00

wool felt pile

2011-11-25T16:29:00.000-08:00

2011's

2011-11-25T16:28:00.000-08:00

really

2011-11-25T16:18:00.000-08:00

After packing my sewing machine in its box for safe keeping after using it, I went to sit on my studio chair and I found fallen from the molded foam packing. I took a photo because I knew no one would believe it.

stuff

2011-11-13T13:30:00.001-08:00

sew

2011-11-13T13:29:00.001-08:00

stitch

2011-11-13T13:28:00.001-08:00

getting ready

2011-11-11T13:45:00.000-08:00

string up

2011-11-11T13:44:00.000-08:00

getting a personality

2011-11-10T19:40:00.001-08:00

stitching

2011-11-10T13:20:00.000-08:00

hum . . .

2011-11-09T22:50:00.001-08:00

What is this?

20/20 and then some

2011-11-09T15:33:00.001-08:00

Creating new product for The Jimmy Pickering Store, these are almost ready.

gaze

2011-11-09T15:28:00.000-08:00

Creating new product for The Jimmy Pickering Store.

target gift card

2011-11-06T10:34:00.001-08:00

Here's a Gift Card I did for Target.

the jimmy lab

2011-11-05T10:38:00.000-07:00

Creating new product for The Jimmy Pickering Store.

Yes, I REALLY do design and make everything by hand and no, it's not radioactive.

configuration

2011-11-05T10:37:00.001-07:00

Creating on new product for The Jimmy Pickering Store.

luxury

2011-11-05T10:34:00.000-07:00

Creating new product for The Jimmy Pickering Store. The glitter shows a bit more here.

glitter?

2011-11-04T12:41:00.001-07:00

Creating new product for The Jimmy Pickering Store. Wish glitter photographed better.

paint it red

2011-11-03T13:16:00.001-07:00

Creating new product for The Jimmy Pickering Store.

building a better box

2011-11-03T13:14:00.000-07:00

Creating new product for The Jimmy Pickering Store.

black out

2011-11-03T13:12:00.000-07:00

Creating new product for The Jimmy Pickering Store.

prep for resting

2011-11-03T13:10:00.001-07:00

Creating new product for The Jimmy Pickering Store.

just out

2011-10-14T22:24:00.000-07:00

My solo show, 180º Delirium at Benjamin & Benjamin Gallery in Portland, Oregon, is featured on the cover of this months Just Out Magazine.

Title: Cycloptic Blue

Size: 10"h x 8.5"w x 4"d
Artist: Jimmy Pickering
Medium: Mixed Medium Sculpture
Felted base for surface protection
Year: 2011

enjoy

2011-10-13T14:31:00.000-07:00

108º delirium

2011-10-08T13:14:00.000-07:00

My new solo show, 180º Delirium, opened Thursday, October 6^th at Benjamin & Benjamin Gallery in Portland. I want to thank everyone who attended the opening reception, which made for a great evening.

All of the art is now online at The Jimmy Pickering Store to view and purchase, click HERE to view the show.

One unfortunate reality of viewing the art online is the translation of some of the new mediums I used for this show, especially the metallic nature of silver leaf. For this show every painting has a silver leafed background, which I glazed with layers of oil to create some amazingly vibrant and metallic surfaces. Another first, all of the paintings have custom made frames approximately 4.5" in width, coated with five layers of opaque shiny black laquer. They look remarkable with the art, as if they were just taken out of the Addams Family mansion for the show. Other pieces are framed in frames I sculpted and custom finished.

Below are just a few of the 101 pieces that comprise 180º Delirium.

Title: The Rise of Countess Delirium

Medium: Oil, Silver Leaf, and Collage
Size: 24" x 36" Plus Custom Frame

Year: 2011

Title: Fright Eye

Medium: Sculpy, Glass Eye, and Flocking in Custom Finished Frame
Size: 3" x 2.5" Plus Frame

Year: 2011

Title: Teensy Weensy

Medium: Graphite on Acid Free Bristol in Sculpted, Custom Finished Frame
Size: 2.5" x 3" oval, Plus Frame

Year: 2011

Title: Teensy Weensy

Sculpted Frame Detail

Title: Cycloptic: Robin's Egg Blue

Medium: Mixed Media Sculpture
Size: 10"h x 8.5w x 4"d

Year: 2011

Title: Crossed Boned

Medium: Oil, Ink, and Resin on Maple
Size: 16" Round

Year: 2011

180º delirium is being unvield today

2011-10-05T22:23:00.000-07:00

My new solo show , 180º Delirium, opens Thursday, October 6th at Benjamin & Benjamin Gallery, 1720 NW Lovejoy, in Portland Oregon. Thursday from 5-9pm, there will be an opening reception at the gallery; I will be attending.

There is no preview of the work comprising 180º Delirium prior to the opening reception and will be available for viewing and purchasing on the Benjamin & Benjamin Gallery web site starting at 5pm on Thursday.

I look forward to seeing you there.

180º sneak peek

2011-09-28T19:03:00.001-07:00

My solo show 180º Delirium, opens October 6th at Benjamin & Benjamin Gallery in Portland, Oregon. The show opening starts at 5pm and ends at 9pm. I'll be there the whole time, I hope to see you there.

180º sneak peek

2011-09-22T19:30:00.001-07:00

180º sneak peek

2011-07-16T14:56:00.001-07:00

imitation flattery

2011-07-10T22:06:00.000-07:00

They say "Imitation is the highest form of flattery," and followers of my work often send me examples of this flattery.

Someone visited Disneyland and saw the Madame Leota painting I created for The Disney Gallery. Once home, they did an Internet search to find more information on the painting and this is what they found during their search, they sent this to me via my web site. Simply brilliant.

Disney's Madame Leota by *madameLEOTA

Fan Art / Digital Art / Drawings / Miscellaneous

This is Madame Leota. I've tried to gave her a 50's/60's storybook design.

KitsuneRagdoll Nov 2, 2010

Very nicely done, but isn't this based off of the portrait by Jimmy Pickering? I saw it for sale at one of the Disneyland Stores.

*madameLEOTA Nov 3, 2010

Dunno... never have been to Disneyland

KitsuneRagdoll Nov 4, 2010

Yeah, here. [link]
The Leota's look exactly the same.

*madameLEOTA Nov 4, 2010

Similar, but not quite the same - the colors and shading of the ball are differnt.
Still... as I said before never have been to Disneyland nor the US before.

KitsuneRagdoll Nov 4, 2010

Well, yes, the colors and shading are different, but it's the same image, just altered.

Madame Leota created by *madameLEOTA, on display at deviantart.com.
Here's a direct LINK.

© DISNEY

Image Copyright The Walt Disney Company

Madame Leota from my painting created for The Disney Gallery.

Overlay of Imitation Flattery with the original created for The Disney Gallery.

OOPS!

*UPDATE*

As if by Madame Leota's enchanted incantations, the 'imitation flattery' from the deviantart.com page of *madameLEOTA has vanished.

new computer, thanks steve leebove

2011-06-25T14:09:00.000-07:00

My quite brilliant, 2003 G5 mac workhorse, after being used every day for eight years without a single issue, gave up the ghost and now resides in cyber heaven. I arrived one morning at my studio to a lifeless screen, that was it. Given all my other components are of the same year, none are compatible with new computers, time to upgrade.

With the very gracious help of Steve Leebove, we have been assembling a whole new system from the ground up, his expertise has made the new system something I never even dreamed off. I’m happy to report most of the new system is up and running, minus my Airport Extreme and oversized scanner, the latter of which arrived damaged and its replacement is on the way. By this time next week everything should be up and running. Then I’ll begin the process of learning how to use all this new equipment.

Thank you Steve for your amazing help in setting up this system.

national doodle day 2011

2011-05-04T21:51:00.000-07:00

I’ve am honored to have been asked again by Gillian Anderson to participate in this years National Doodle Day Celebrity Doodles Auction to benefit research for the cure of Neurofibromatosis. Below is my doodle for this year’s auction.

Please click HERE to be directly connected to my piece being auctioned on the national doodle day site.

The third US National Doodle Day auction begins on eBay May 12, 2011. Please be sure to tell your friends and family to help benefit this great cause.

I apologize for the watermark.

Unfortunately watermarks will be showing up on post featuring original art out of necessity.

180º sneak peek

2011-03-28T19:37:00.000-07:00

Tease from my 180º Delirium solo show.

180º

2011-02-19T22:39:00.000-08:00

The logo for my solo show this October at Benjamin & Benjamin Gallery in Portland, Oregon is finished. The title is 180º Delirium.

fames: step 14

2011-02-07T15:35:00.000-08:00

Here are the completed frames.

I hope you enjoyed viewing the process.

frames: step 13

2011-02-06T20:58:00.000-08:00

Progressively the colors are getting lighter and more vibrant. I am going to continue from this point to completion. I will post images of the frames tomorrow after they have dried.

frames: step 12

2011-02-06T20:56:00.001-08:00

The rust is coming along.

frames: step 11

2011-02-06T20:52:00.001-08:00

Here I have begun to add some color to the surface working from dark to light. Two things to remember are acrylics dry darker than mixed and real rust is very vivid.

frames: step 10

2011-02-06T20:50:00.000-08:00

I have just gotten started.

frames: step 9

2011-02-06T20:48:00.001-08:00

The frames are spritzed with water to allow colors of the rust I have mixed to run naturally down the surface.

frames: step 8

2011-02-06T20:11:00.000-08:00

These are some colors I will use to create rust on the wooden frames along with black and white if needed. To make sure the paint will dry matte I add mediums to them.

frames: step 7

2011-02-06T19:56:00.000-08:00

I finished painting the frames, they are dry, and I’ve hung them upright on a water safe surface. This allows me to create the faux rust with realistic runs and streaks, as it would occur naturally using gravity. None of the rough surfaces on the frames were sanded and I made the texture of the paint porous/textured like the surface of real iron. You can see by the turquoise on the back surface I’ve used this several times for different faux patinas.

frames: step 6

2011-02-06T17:14:00.001-08:00

As iron is exposed to the elements and ages, the once black surface becomes a chalky oxidized gray and flat in finish. In order to recreate this I have begun to paint a flat/matte gray over the black primer base. As you will see, this is a great base color to paint the faux rust over.

frames: step 5

2011-02-06T14:30:00.000-08:00

Both frames now have two layers of black primer and need to dry thoroughly before I advance to the next step.

frames: step 4

2011-02-06T14:26:00.000-08:00

Here I put a primer coat of black as the base color, as my intent when they are complete is to make these wooden frames look like rusted iron.

frames: step 3

2011-02-06T14:18:00.000-08:00

Here you see I started sculpting directly on the frames to enhance the perception of faces. Some sculpting is subliminal, some very direct.

frames: step 2

2011-02-06T14:10:00.001-08:00

I am going to use the frames upside-down, as their shapes resembled faces in my minds eye.

frames: step 1

2011-02-06T14:03:00.000-08:00

I will be having a solo show at Benjamin & Benjamin Gallery in Portland Oregon, which opens October 6th, 2011, for which I am very grateful. I share this because it is another opportunity for me to share a step-by-step process of somethings I am creating for the show.

I am always on the look out for frames I think are good matches for my work; I can draw from when a show calls for them. 90% of the time, they need enhancements to fit perfectly into the show I am visualizing. I am obsessed with even the tiniest details when I’m designing a show content. The show I am creating for Benjamin & Benjamin is one of the most theatrical I’ve done in years and to create this theatricality, it is my goal to leave no detail of the show overlooked.

This established, I thought I’d show one of these details in a step-by-step example, how two frames for the show are being customized to fit the vision of the show.

I hope you enjoy.

These are the wooden frames in their original state and look very Shabby Chic in style, which is clearly not a befitting look to accompany my work, but their bone structure has potential.

One step I did not show is the removal of legs at the base of both frames as they were to stand upright on a flat surface. I apologize for missing this step, but I had not intended on sharing this process at that time.

a new patch & flock

2011-01-21T18:15:00.000-08:00

I just finished making some new things which have been added to my online store. A new patch of Cucurbita's, and something new, Love Bat'z; a special Jimmy-ized love token for yourself, someone special or for Valentines Day. Go take a look by clicking this link: The Jimmy Pickering Store.

where's taffy now?

2011-01-20T21:37:00.000-08:00

To my fantastic crew who worked on Men In Black: Alien Attack for Universal Studios Orlando and the rest of the team who will get this inside joke, enjoy the laugh.

After all the modeling work Taffy did for the MIB attraction, I found ‘its’ place of retirement. Taffy has opened a diner. I happened to come across it by chance over the holidays when driving up the northeastern coast of Maine with my partner Corey. Taffy looks splendid and sends all of you sweet hugs and kisses.

what's on my desk

2011-01-17T19:48:00.001-08:00

what's on my desk

2011-01-11T22:29:00.000-08:00

Here's a look at what's on my desk tonight.

the jimmy pickering store premier

2010-10-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

The Jimmy Pickering Store is now open. To visit, please go to my site, www.jimmypickering.com then click ‘the jimmy pickering store’ button on the left of the home page. Once there, click where indicated and you’ll be taken directly to The Jimmy Pickering Store.

jouwe custom show

2010-10-04T16:26:00.000-07:00

I have been asked to participate in a custom Jouwe show at TOY ART GALLERY in LosAngeles, California. The show opened October 2 and runs through November 2.The images below are photos of the figure I was given to customize. In all my excitement to start transforming the figure, I forgot to take photos. These photos are courtesy of SPANKY STOKES. The site is great, please pay them a visit.

These images are the vinyl Jouwe figure after my customization was completed. The title of the piece is 'Broken and Outdated.' To see more photos of the finished custom visit my site at www.jimmypickering.com and click the 'custom jouwe preview' button on the left of the page.

10-10-10

2010-09-05T20:13:00.000-07:00

p.s. this happens to be my birthday too. how crazy is it to have three 10's for your birthday?.

what's on my desk

2010-09-05T17:25:00.000-07:00

Here's a peek at what's on my desk today.

odditoria show opening september 4th

2010-09-01T20:37:00.000-07:00

My new show ‘The Denizen’s of Odditoria’ opens Friday, September 4that Rivet Gallery in Columbus, Ohio. The show consists of eight new pieces (it’s a smaller gallery divided into two show spaces), and ‘Odditoria’ is one of the more unusual showsI’ve done, at least from my perspective. Rivet Gallery will be posting a preview page for early purchases, if you are interested follow this link, www.rivetgallery.com to their home pagetocontact them directly to be put on their preview list for this show.

Below are the pieces, which make up ‘The Denizen’s of Odditoria.’

Title: Bullying: Psychological Damage For Life

Medium: Oil
Size: 9” x 12”

Year: 2010

Title: Fictitious Beauty

Medium: Oil
Size: 16" x 16"
Year: 2010

Title: Hideously Phony: The Back Stabber

Medium: Oil
Size: 11” x 14”
Year: 2010

Title: Hollow Regret: Forever Chasing Lost Success

Medium: OilSize: 10" x 20"

Year: 2010

Title: Interminably Angry: Bitter, Closeted, And Colorless

Medium: Oil
Size: 12" x 12"
Year: 2010

Title: Split Personalities: Which One Shall I Wear Today?

Medium: Oil
Size: 8" x 8"

Year: 2010

Title: Vile Liar: The Self Exonerated Adulterer

Medium: Oil
Size: 12" x 16"
Year: 2010

Title: Voices In My Head

Medium: Oil
Size: 12" x 12"
Year: 2010

denizen's start your engines

2010-08-17T16:01:00.000-07:00

Work for ‘The Denizen’s of Odditoria’ is officially completed. There are eight pieces in the show. I am readying the art for sending to Rivet Gallery, of which I want to thank Laura at Rivet for offering me the opportunity to show in her great space.

Out of respect for the gallery I will not be showing the pieces on my blog or web site until the gallery wishes me to do so, until then the little teaser below will have to do. Oh yes, below the teaser, the titles of the eight pieces in the show. As a note, I changed the name of the piece ‘Phony Sister: The Back Stabber,’ which I showed the progression of on this blog. The original name did not flow with the other titles, requiring a little tweak.

Title: Bullying: Psychological Damage For Life
Title: Fictitious Beauty
Title: Hideously Phony: The Back Stabber
Title: Hollow Regret: Forever Chasing Lost Success
Title: Interminably Angry: Bitter, Closeted, And Colorless
Title: Split Personalities: Which One Shall I Wear Today?
Title: Vile Liar: The Self Exonerated Adulterer
Title: Voices In My He

Below you will see the promo for the upcoming show at Rivet Gallery. The gallery normally has two solo shows at a time and my show will be accompanied by another great artist, Shannon Bonatakis.

on my desk

2010-08-02T13:21:00.000-07:00

coming soon!

2010-07-16T13:37:00.000-07:00

In the near future something new is heading your way.

next show

2010-07-11T14:18:00.000-07:00

I’m working on my next solo show opening September 4th at Rivet Gallery, titled ‘Denizens of Odditoria.’

I’ve received many questions inquiring how my paintings are created and in response decided to post the stages taken in creating my next painting from start to finish.

day one disneyland: 55th anniversary exhibit

2010-05-19T09:50:00.000-07:00

© DISNEY
Image Copyright The Walt Disney Company

Saturday, May 22nd 'Day One Disneyland: 55th Anniversary Exhibit' opens at The Disney Gallery located on Main Street USA, in Disneyland. The gallery will be selling my original piece created exclusively for Disney as part of this exhibit. The gallery will also be offering giclee and delux prints of the painting. I will be attending the release and signing event Saturday, May 22nd from 9-11:00 am at The Disney Gallery. Hope to see you there.

Please visit, The Disney Gallery or theartofdisneyparks.com for more information on the exhibit, the release and signing event, and for original, giclée and deluxe print pricing.

You can also order artwork from the Disneyland Merchandise guest services at 800.362.4533

To see other available works I've created for The Disney Gallery, please visit The Artist Corner link.

Title: Walt's Castle
Medium: Mixed
Size: 11" x 14"
Year: 2010
S O L D

Framed limited edition canvas giclee print of Walt's Castle.

movers and shakers II

2010-05-19T09:43:00.000-07:00

I am thankful and grateful to have been asked by Gino Joukar to participate in 'Movers and Shakers II' opening friday, may 21 from 7-11 pm at ronin gallery in los angeles.

Below you will find all the information on the show.

Title: Voices In My Head

Medium: oil on claybord

Size: 12" x 12"

Year: 2010

Movers and Shakers II

Curated by Gino Joukar

May 21, 7pm -11pm

Ronin Gallery

Santa monica, Los Angeles, CA

http://www.theroningallery.com

For more info please contact:

info@theroningallery.com

beautiful miasma

2010-04-29T22:06:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Miasma April 30 at Rotofugi Gallery. Rotofugi Gallery is located at 1955 W. Chicago Ave. in Chicago's eclectic East Village neighborhood. Beautiful Miasma is my first solo show to feature all new work in well over a year.

You can view and purchase works from Beautiful Miasma directly from Rotofugi Gallery at www.rotofugigallery.com You can also see the new work I created for Beautiful Miasma at www.jimmypickering.com located in the ‘miasma preview’ page.

film design

2010-03-11T20:11:00.000-08:00

I am often asked if I can do concept work for characters and movies or both. The answer is yes. I studied film, character animation, along with art direction and color styling (thank you Bob Winquist!) in college. These are two images from such projects from the past.

The first image below, was a series of character designs I did for a project, which was sucked into the great black void of the Hollywood Abyss, as many projects do. They were designs for a character called “Abominable Snow Boy.”

This second image is for style direction concept sketch I did for The Wild Thornberry’s Movie. Several members of the staff went crazy over this direction. In the end it was deemed to expensive a look to execute through the entire feature and the film replicated the exact look of the television show.

on my desk

2010-02-07T11:39:00.000-08:00

The progress of my latest painting on my desk.

on my desk

2010-02-02T11:32:00.000-08:00

What's on my desk today. No, that's not real wood, it' part of the painted background I created for the piece.

on my desk

2010-02-02T11:30:00.000-08:00

Progress of the painting on my desk.

on my desk

2010-01-24T11:31:00.000-08:00

A snap of my studio desk and a work in progress found there.

on my desk

2010-01-15T19:44:00.000-08:00

It has been a long while since I posted a snap shot of my desk, mostly because I've been on a painting hiatus, which is now over. Here's a view of what I am working on right now.

thank you

2010-01-15T19:42:00.000-08:00

I personally want to thank everyone who made my latest gallery showing ‘Skellyopolis’ a smashing success. Your positive response to the show and the rapid sale of the pieces within the exhibit has been humbling, making me grateful and thankful for such avid followers of my work. Thank you to every single one of you.

coming january 7th

2009-12-27T21:39:00.000-08:00

at The Gallery @ Yummy wine bar & bistro.

Preview show images at www.jimmypickering.com and click

'Skellyopolis Preview.'

skellyopolis

2009-12-26T19:31:00.000-08:00

My new show ‘Skellyopolis’ opening January 7, 2010 at The Gallery @ Yummy wine bar and bistro is a first. I have received so many requests for the drawings and art from my books I finally decided to present a show featuring such work. 'Skellyopolis' is the first show in which I am presenting and selling original concept drawings from the creation of any of my published books. This show is also the first to feature all pieces from the Skelly series, Skelly the Skeleton Girl and Skelly & Femur. The show presents fifteen original drawings, three limited edition giclee on canvas prints of final art from the two books and one limited edition giclee print on archival paper of an original Skelly imaged created exclusively for the ‘Skellyopolis' show.

For all details about ‘Skellyopolis’ and the opening reception, please visit my site www.jimmypickering.com and click the ‘upcoming events’ tab on the left. There you will find information on the opening reception, the web site address of yummy wine bar & bistro where you will be able to view all of the work in the show starting January 7th and the phone numbers you can call to purchase a piece if you are interested.

Title: Gate to Skelly Manor

Artist: Me, (jimmy pickering)

Medium: Graphite on Paper

Size: 6.5"x 4.5" plus frame

Year: 2005

my paintings?

2009-11-17T01:16:00.000-08:00

A gallery in which I am having a show next year, asked me to send an image for marketing upcoming 2010 shows. As I looked through my image files I found three small 3x5 inch paintings I did back in 2004. They are nothing spectacular by any means, but when I opened the files something strange occurred, I had no recollection of these pieces anywhere in my memory. It wasn’t until I looked at them for a while the memory of framing the little guy on the cliff with a thermos of hot cocoa came back, the other two . . . nothing. I also remembered they were for a winter solstice themed group show.

I’ve never experienced this before. When I see my paintings I remember not only the creation of the piece but where they were painted, events around me, even what music I listened to when painting them, this is something completely and utterly strange. I guess once you create so many things this is bound to happen, yet . . . when it does it is very odd.

To ensure I don’t forget them again, here are the three mystery paintings.

pumpkin season

2009-10-07T17:15:00.001-07:00

another skelly sighting

2009-10-03T17:49:00.000-07:00

There's been another Skelly sighting. Thanks to the sharp eyes of another secret spy, Skelly was sighted in Glendale, California. Thank you secret spy.

Baby GAP
Glendale Galleria
Glendale, California

skelly sightings

2009-10-03T13:23:00.000-07:00

A couple secret spies spotted Skelly books in two interesting locations. one saw 'Skelly & Femur' at Pottery Barn Kids located in Farmers Market, Los Angeles; the second secret spy had a sighting and took an undercover shot of 'Skelly the Skeleton Girl' in GAP Kids on Chestnut Street in San Francisco.

So begins a page dedicated to your celebrity Skelly sightings on my web sit, jimmypickering.com and I'll also be posting them here. If you want to enlist as a secret spy simply snap a photo the next time you have a Skelly sighting and email it to me with the location of your sighting. It's that simple. I'll post your undercover work here so we can keep an eye on where our favorite skeleton girl and her dog show up next.

GAP Kids
Chestnut Street
San Francisco, California

rabbits

2009-09-27T23:29:00.000-07:00

Another painting created to be used on skins for ipods, laptops and other such gadgets . . . when . . . ? This was based on a painting I did for a show several years ago. It gave me a chance to go back and create a new painting based on the original, tweaking the things I wanted to improve from the original.

mono-eye

2009-09-27T21:58:00.000-07:00

This mechanical menace I painted in the not so distant past to be used on skins for ipods, laptops and so on, but I've yet to see it produced. Rather than hiding it away, it's time to share it with all of you as I rather like it.

40 years (and 2 days)

2009-08-11T11:12:00.000-07:00

August 9th was the official 40th Anniversary of The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. As I've been working into the late evening hours the past couple of days, this post comes as the 40th and 2 day anniversary of the attraction.

The Haunted Mansion. There are several things within my life, which have had a huge impact on my creative spirit. One of them is The Haunted Mansion, which just celebrated its 40th anniversary. The attraction opened its doors to on August 9, 1969 and has been a favorite of Disneyland guest, myself included, ever since.

The Haunted Mansion has remained one of my favorites along with the original version of The Pirates of the Caribbean, (minus the addition of Jack Sparrow and company). The Haunted Mansion is an stunning example of how WED Enterprises, now Walt Disney Imagineering, used to be able to take us on adventures so enveloping and relevant that 40 years and 2 days later The Haunted Mansion is still one of the top rated attractions in Disneyland. The attraction is a testament to the amazing talents of the original Imagineers of which have slowly vanished over the years taking their talents with them.

I am very fortunate to have worked at Walt Disney Imagineering with some of those original and very talented Imagineers. One of these amazing people was Leota, who appears in The Haunted Mansion in the Séance Circle and again as Little Leota at the exit to the attraction. Leota remains one of the most influential people in my life and I am honored to say she was one of my closest friends. Not only was Leota a dear friend, she was also my mentor who taught me more about the art of Imagineering than I could have hoped to learn. When I think of her I can see her jet black hair, her amazing smile and I can hear her laugh, which could put a smile on anyone’s face. Leota was a creative spirit, teaching me to laugh at the tough aspects of life and never afraid to share her knowledge and talent with me, for fear of giving away trade secrets. I learned so many wonderful things from Leota. The skills she taught me I still use everyday in the work I create and in the life I live. Words cannot express how thankful I am to have known Leota, for her friendship and thankful she felt inclined to share so many of her gifts with me. Thank you Leota for being such an amazing friend, one who changed my life forever. I miss you everyday.

Another original Imagineer I was fortunate to have worked with was Collin Campbell. Collin was like a grandfather, very soft-spoken, very funny and very talented. As with Leota, Collin was excited to share his knowledge and I was like a sponge, absorbing everything he shared. While working with Collin I told him I still had my original Haunted Mansion LP. He laughed and said he’d not see it in years. So I brought my original copy of The Haunted Mansion LP from my childhood to work, which he laughed when he saw how worn or “loved” as he put it, the LP was. As he looked through the pages of the album, he told me stories about every painting he created for this now legendary piece of Disney history. When he reached the end he asked me if I wanted him to sign it, to which the only answer was yes. So he did.

With that I end this post. For, you see, The Haunted Mansion not only inspired me in my youth, it also afforded me the opportunity to meet two legendary Imagineering masters Collin and my dear friend and mentor Leota. To me The Haunted Mansion represents more than one of the most amazing attractions ever created, it reminds me of the amazing talents who created it that I’ve been blessed to know and learn from.

they're back!

2009-08-01T16:01:00.001-07:00

my new book Skelly & Femur has been released, the follow-up to Skelly the Skeleton Girl. where the original book Skelly the Skeleton Girl is about Skelly finding a bone, Skelly & Femur follows Skelly and her new dog Femur on a mystery of missing objects through and around Skelly Manor.

as with the first book, this is an easy read written for pre-schoolers and kindergarteners with the illustrations the main focus of the storytelling.

in this book there are a few surprised hidden within the illustrations. being a former walt disney imagineer there are several hidden mickey’s throughout the book for sharp eyes to discover, (i won't say how many you'll have to see if you can find them all). also in tribute to the inspiration i found in the original version of 1977's star wars there is a hidden princess leia and death star within the book for sharp eyes to locate also.

for more information on ordering your copies of Skelly & Femur, simply go to my site, jimmypickering.com visit the books page on the left and click the order link for Skelly & Femur.

good-bye my friend

2009-06-29T22:59:00.000-07:00

Your creative genius and spirit will be forever missed.
Thank you for the inspiration.

national doodle day celebrity auction

2009-05-13T18:27:00.000-07:00

The National Doodle Day Celebrity Auction has begun! (see previous post for more info.) The auction runs through May 17th. Click HERE to see my doodle and make a bit. Lets blow the lid of this thing and make this auction!

national doodle day 2009

2009-04-09T22:05:00.001-07:00

I’ve am honored to have been asked again by Gillian Anderson to participate in this years National Doodle Day Celebrity Doodles Auction to benefit research for the cure of Neurofibromatosis. Below is my doodle for this year’s auction.

Please click HERE to be connected to the national doodle day site.

The third US National Doodle Day auction begins on eBay May 7, 2009. Please be sure to tell your friends and family to help benefit this great cause.

le skeleton

2009-04-09T21:41:00.000-07:00

The third result of my recent venture into sculpting, meet Le Skeleton. To see more of Le Skeleton click HERE and go to the 3-D gallery.

king

2009-04-09T21:37:00.001-07:00

The second dimensional creation, The King. You can see more of The King by clicking HERE and going to the 3-D gallery.

queen

2009-04-09T21:35:00.000-07:00

I have been inclined to create some dimensional sculptures of late. Let me introduce to you the first piece, The Queen. You can see more of The Queen by clicking HERE and going to the 3-D gallery.

on my desk

2009-03-21T23:06:00.001-07:00

Here’s a look at the magic potion being conjured up on my desk today.

next!

2009-03-16T02:42:00.001-07:00

gossip

2009-03-16T02:31:00.001-07:00

chicago 4

2009-03-16T02:10:00.001-07:00

Four littles created for a show in Chicago, 2006.

concept

2009-03-12T23:10:00.000-07:00

This concept sketch was create digitally in Photoshop and was done to accompany a manuscript sent to publishers. Nothing came to fruition, but I still like the illustration. Who knows, maybe it will show up again in the future.

on my desk

2009-02-20T23:42:00.000-08:00

Here is what's on my desk today.

on my desk

2009-02-15T23:07:00.000-08:00

What's on my desk today.

on my desk

2009-02-01T00:30:00.000-08:00

Here's a snap-shot of what's on my desk today.

on my desk

2009-01-19T19:07:00.000-08:00

A peek at what's cooking on my desk today.

mansion

2009-01-07T01:05:00.001-08:00

While going through some sketches today I found one I created based on one of my favorite attractions at Disneyland, The Haunted Mansion. It has an interesting quality I’d like go back and visit on a future painting.

jimmy pickering

what the . . .

yellow

wool felt pile

2011's

really

more getting ready

stuff

sew

stitch

getting ready

string up

getting a personality

stitching

hum . . .

20/20 and then some

gaze

target gift card

the jimmy lab

configuration

luxury

glitter?

paint it red

building a better box

black out

prep for resting

just out

enjoy

108º delirium

180º delirium is being unvield today

180º sneak peek

180º sneak peek

180º sneak peek

imitation flattery

new computer, thanks steve leebove

national doodle day 2011

180º sneak peek

180º

fames: step 14

frames: step 13

frames: step 12

frames: step 11

frames: step 10

frames: step 9

frames: step 8

frames: step 7

frames: step 6

frames: step 5

frames: step 4

frames: step 3

frames: step 2

frames: step 1

a new patch & flock

where's taffy now?

what's on my desk

what's on my desk

the jimmy pickering store premier

jouwe custom show

10-10-10

what's on my desk

odditoria show opening september 4th

denizen's start your engines

on my desk

coming soon!

next show

day one disneyland: 55th anniversary exhibit

movers and shakers II

beautiful miasma

film design

on my desk

on my desk

on my desk

on my desk

on my desk

thank you

coming january 7th

skellyopolis

my paintings?

pumpkin season

another skelly sighting