Kay Nielsen Illustrations

Here is the last installation of illustrations that the ASIFA-Hollywood archive has so kindly let me borrow and post about (quick note that these images were given to the archive by nocloo). These last illustrations are all by Kay Nielsen, who was certainly considered one of the greatest artists during the golden age of illustration. Through a bit of research I learned that Nielsen's work is thought of as a bit more modern than that of Dulac. I wasn't so sure, so I checked for myself and instantly understood why that was said. Extremely intricate designs are in almost every illustration and the Japanese influence that pervaded the early 20th century is clearly evident. Let me show you.
These are all from In Powder and Crinoline (1913).







Do you see it? I have no doubt you can at least see how beautiful these are. I'll just keep sharing the pictures with you. These next ones are from East of the Sun and West of the Moon and they are breathtaking.



These woods really remind me of John Bauer's forests. No surprise that Bauer is named as one of Nielsen's influences.




This background is really lovely, and so simple.



And finally this is an illustration from a later work of Hansel and Gretel and Other Stories From the Brothers Grimm in 1925:



I hope you enjoyed these! On a similar note, I was missing the abundance of art available at the archive so much that I decided to go in search of art at Dartmouth. Naturally I went to our special collections library, Rauner. Bingo. I have spent the past few days enjoying only one of the many amazing illustrated books stashed away in there. Of course the first book I chose was Great Swedish Fairy Tales illustrated by John Bauer. I was uncertain if I was allowed to make copies or anything of the illustrations so I made extremely poor renderings of my own so that I could enjoy them at any time I want. It turns out that I can make copies or take photos, but I am glad I have attempted to draw them, it makes me appreciate them even more.

Farewell Archive

“I came out to see the tears,” Steve said as he emerged from his office to find me admiring the drawing Mike had made for me on my last day at the archive. There were no tears, and for anyone who has known me long enough will know I very rarely share my emotions openly. Although there were no tears shed, there was quite the panoply of feelings welling up inside of me. I knew that this time around I was leaving behind so much more than I left behind when I parted from the archive in March. While I had made great friends in the winter, the summer solidified those relationships in ways I did not fully expect.
I found myself listening to Jojo at the Coral as he alternately lamented the students at his school and proclaimed us to be some of his greatest friends, and I silently agreed that he was right. I knew I would miss everyone so much and of course I have turned out to be right. The archive became a home to me and taught me an immeasurable amount. It is difficult to put into words what the archive has taught me. The archive is primarily a resource for artists and I have trouble even comparing myself to the students who follow Steve’s archive posts and visit the archive to take advantage of the never-ending treasures laid out there. I envy them for they can more easily show and describe what they have learned.
I did not learn the way I learn in a classroom while at ASIFA-Hollywood and I am sure that I am better for it. I was in charge of my own education at the archive and it would have been easy enough to just sort through films and art without absorbing anything. Well, no, that wouldn’t have been very easy for me to do because I absorb quite a bit at a pretty good rate. So I learned what I would consider some basics, such as which animators worked where and did what. I learned about artists first by looking at their work then usually through my own (very little) research. But beyond that more concrete sort of education, I more importantly developed a more critical eye and mind. Just by looking at so much art day after day I learned what I consider to be good art. The sheer volume of art I was exposed to through my work with the database and listening to conversations held by Steve and visitors gave me the ability to better analyze and critique animation and art.
As mentioned earlier, working at the archive gave me an education as well as friends that I am certain will last a lifetime. I almost forgot! The archive also did quite a bit for my self-confidence; I was amazed by all of the things I accomplished while working there. That felt good.
Now I say a final good bye and a tremendous thank you for everything to the archive and all of my LA friends for a few months. But don’t worry I will come back to visit.

Back to Rugby

I apologize profusely for not having written in such a long time. I don’t really know where to start actually since it has been so long. I suppose I will just start with the boring basic update so that in future posts I can be more interesting.
I am now back at Dartmouth for rugby preseason. Today is our first day off since we started almost a week ago. I say almost since it really hasn't been a week at all but certainly feels like it. Four or so hours of practice and physical activity a day can do that to you. Since it has been a few days now since I started I have finally gotten rid of the tremendous soreness that kicked in a day after I resumed rugby. Stairs were killer and even sleeping was difficult. I am happy to be back playing though after a whole year without rugby. It is just too bad that I am in no way rugby fit, which is completely different from any other kind of fit. As a forward in rugby (don't stress it if you don't know what a forward is), I am supposed to be able to run, or in my case jog, for about 80 minutes with an occasional break. Occasional break, well now that is nice isn't it? My breaks consist of rucking, scrumming, and doing line outs, which, for the rugby novice, means pushing your shoulder very hard against other people to win possession of the ball or lifting another person into the air to win the ball. Rugby is no walk in the park.
There is no terribly interesting news though on the rugby front except that I am playing again. Although, we did go for a run the other day in Pine Park, which circles the golf course and runs along the Connecticut river for the second half of the trail, and I am proud to say I ran the whole thing. Except when I fell over and twisted my ankle. I walked for a bit after that. But adrenaline was running high so I was able to continue the run. Now, in rugby, or at least in my experience, one tends to sport one's injuries with a certain amount of pride. They are akin to a badge of merit really. For example, if you sprained your ankle tackling some girl right before she was about to score a try, then that injury can be justified. Sadly when people ask me why my ankle is bright purple and the size of a small grapefruit, I must honestly reply that I tripped on a rock and fell down. That isn't hardcore in the least.
Oh dear, I have to go very soon to help set up for our rugby meetings tonight (meetings pretty much consist of singing rugby songs, which are. . . well I can save that for another time). This could be interesting since one of the reasons I quit rugby last year was because I truly hated the whole social dynamic. But I promise to write again soon so that I can show you the last illustrations I have to share and so that I can write a bit about saying good bye to the archive for the summer, which was a truly sad event.
Here are some old pictures of the Dartmouth Women's Rugby Club on tour in Wales a few years ago to give you an idea of what I do. I am not in them since I was taking them.
A scrum:


A line out: