Joined: Feb 21, 2006 Posts: 4196 Location: Sanford, Fl
Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2015 8:02 am Post subject: Disney Legend Blaine Gibson has passed away
Quote:
ARL: Animation Research Library
We are sad to learn of the passing today of Disney Legend, Blaine Gibson. (Thanks to Disney Historian, Didier Ghez, for sharing the news with us.) Blaine is pictured at the ARL in 2008 with fellow Disney Legend, Floyd Norman.
Born the 11th of February 1918, in Rocky Ford, Colorado, Blaine attended Colorado University, but left school to join The Walt Disney Studios in 1939. While working as an in-between artist and assistant animator, he took evening classes in sculpture at Pasadena City College and studied with a private instructor. Among his animation credits are FANTASIA, BAMBI, SONG OF THE SOUTH, ALICE IN WONDERLAND, PETER PAN, SLEEPING BEAUTY, and ONE HUNDRED AND ONE DALMATIANS.
After animating all day, Blaine would go home at night and sculpt; it had been a favorite hobby of his since childhood. Then, in 1954, Walt Disney happened to see one of Blaine’s art exhibits, which featured several animal sculptures, and recruited him to work on special projects for his new theme park, Disneyland.
After nearly 45 years with The Walt Disney Company, Blaine retired in 1983. In 1993, the same year he was named a Disney Legend, Blaine created a life-size bronze of Walt and Mickey Mouse standing hand-in-hand. The statue, called “Partners,” is located at the Central Hub in Disneyland and at Disney parks around the world. Blaine subsequently created a life-size bronze of Roy O. Disney—Company co-founder and brother of Walt—for display in Disney theme parks.
(Thanks to D23.com, for the biographical excerpts.)
Joined: May 21, 2013 Posts: 1070 Location: Tennessee
Posted: Sun May 29, 2016 10:40 pm Post subject:
It's been a while since I've been through these boards, and this is the first I'm coming across this. In the past year, I've been so distracted that somehow this news missed me.
I had the pleasure of spending an hour with Mr. Gibson many years back as part of a charity event my wife and I attended. He told stories of what it was like working for (and with) Walt Disney, as well as the many trials and travails of designing vehicles for the parks.
That day, I also met Sam McKim (who I know also passed a few years ago). It's such a shame when these great minds pass along. While it's much belated, I wish the best for his family.
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