PEANUTS ARTWORK Our collection of original Peanuts art features a collection from the archive of Bill Melendez. Click on the links below each image to view these original production cels, drawings, and rare layouts, limited edition lithographs cels, and serigraphs. |
Celebrating our 38th year in Cedar Rapids, Iowa! |
PEANUTS Production Cels-- Ask us about our new collection arriving soon! |
Animation Director Bill Melendez LOS ANGELES – September 3, 2008 – Bill Melendez, considered a pioneer in animation and John’s hospital in Santa Monica. Doctors say Melendez to life, died early Tuesday morning September 2nd at St. to life, died early Tuesday morning September 2nd at St. died “peacefully.” He was 91 years old preparing to celebrate his 92nd birthday in November. With his trademark handle bar mustache, Melendez was a phenomenal talent whose unique style and distinct sense of humor inspired a generation. Melendez began his career at Walt Disney Studios. As a talented young animator he worked on Pinocchio, Fantasia, Bambi, Dumbo and classic Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck cartoons. Years later, Melendez expanded his resume when he moved to Warner Bros. to animate other famous cartoons such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig. In 1948 Melendez left Warner Bros. and over the next decade and a half he served as a director and producer on more than 1,000 commercials and films for United Productions of America (UPA), Playhouse Pictures and John Sutherland Productions. It was at UPA that Melendez started doing work for New York-based J. Walter Thompson ad agency, whose client included Ford Motor Co. The car maker expressed interest in using PEANUTS characters to sell its cars on television. In 1959 Melendez prepared his animation work and showed it to PEANUTS creator Charles M. Schulz. A partnership and friendship followed and as a result, Melendez gave the PEANUTS kids life in more than 63 half-hour specials, five one-hour specials, four feature films and more than 372 commercials. Favorites include “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” “She’s a Good Skate, Charlie Brown,” and “You’re a Good Sport, Charlie Brown.” In addition to creating the cartoons, Melendez also provided the voices for Snoopy and Woodstock. Over the years, Melendez also animated “Garfield on the Town,” “Cathy,” “Babar Comes to America,” and “The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe,” among others. Melendez, who was the only animator allowed to work with the PEANUTS characters won numerous awards and accolades including: 17 Emmy Award nominations and eight (8) Emmy® Award wins, one (1) Oscar® Award nomination, two (2) Peabody Awards, one (1) Clio, three (3) National Cartoonist Society Awards, and more than 150 Advertising Awards. |
First Animation Art First Quality Art from the Animated Film! 526 Bezdek Drive NW ~ Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52405 |
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Celebrating our 40th year in Cedar Rapids, Iowa! |
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