Books &Illustration &Models 13 Sep 2007 07:51 am

Eyvind Earle

– Let’s talk a little about Eyvind Earle. This is the artist who rose to fame when he was selected by Walt Disney to set the style for the long-in-production feature, Sleeping Beauty. The animators disliked his art direction and openly protested it. Walt remained true in his stance and supported Earle to the end; though it could be said that Walt was more involved in Disneyland’s construction and gave too little attention to the in-fighting at the animation studio.

I remember Frank Thomas, specifically, stating that he had done everything possible to supercede Earle’s style after he, Thomas, had animated the Merryweather scene as she creates Aurora’s dress and cake in honor of her birthday. He felt that the black bodice that Earle had designed took all the lightness out of his character’s delicate dance.


(Click on any image to enlarge.)_________________________________


L to R: Al Dempster, Dick Anthony, Ralph Hulett and Eyvind Earle

Thomas publicly attacked Earle at the Lincoln Center celebration of Disney animation back in 1973. I’d already read something similar, and heard it privately. None of the others on stage at Lincoln Center – Woolie Reitherman, Ken Anderson or Ollie Johnston – countered in support of Earle.

Sleeping Beauty was such a drastic change in look from the other Disney features, that I think it took deep hold in the minds of a lot of Baby Boomers growing up around this feature. Earle became a strong target of interest, and I think his reputation has grown annually.

I have to admit it was odd seeing the backgrounds of Pocohontas trying to emulate Earle’s Sleeping Beauty style, but in some ways it seemed fitting. The studio had been ripping off the films of the past for so long that it was only approopriate that they’d focus on someone who was such a dynamic force.

For a short period after he was released by Disney, in the post-Sleeping Beauty layoffs, he worked with John Sutherland Productions where he designed the short, Rhapsody of Steel. Then he formed his own studio, Eyvind Earle Productions, Inc. He did an animated trailer for the film, West Side Story, under the supervision of Saul Bass. He did an animated title for the Kraft Suspense Theater, and he did a Christmas Special for Tennessee Ernie Ford.

Ultimately, Earle made a success of his own art after leaving animation. He’s been represented by a number of very large galleries and has sold a lot of popular art in a style all his own. Here are a couple of examples found on line:

I’m not always a big fan of the color schemes in his graphics, though he always makes them work, but I have to give credit to Earle for his originality and the dynamic approach in his art.

His autobiography, Horizon Bound on a Bicycle, is a must for all real fans.

This is his animation resume:

    1951 Started with the Walt Disney Studios as background painter on: FOR WHOM THE
    __ BULLS TOIL, MELODY, and the Academy Award winner for “Best Short of the Year”
    __TOOT, WHISTLE, PLUNK and BOOM which also received a Cannes Film Festival Award.
    __Production Designer, Color Stylist and Background Painter for the DIsney animated __classic SLEEPING BEAUTY, as well as, PIGS IS PIGS, GRAND CANYONSCOPE,
    __PAUL BUNYAN, LADY AND THE TRAMP, LONDON BRIDGE, and WORKING FOR PEANUTS.
    __He designed 5 murals for Disneyland.
    1958 Joined John Sutherland Motion Picture Company in Los Angeles.
    1960-1966 Created 24 sheet poster for Hamm’s Beer.

    __Started motion picture animation company, Eyvind Earle Productions, Inc.
    __Created animated commercials for Chevrolet Motors, Chrysler Corporation, Marlboro
    __igarettes, Motorola Television and the Kellogg Cereal Company.
    __Created animated trailer for WEST SIDE STORY for United Artists.
    1961 Created animated television special THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS starring
    __Tennessee Ernie Ford and the Roger Wagner Choral.
    1962 Created animated television special THE EASTER SPECIAL.

    __Created title for the KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATER.
    __Created the logo trademark trailer for Universal Pictures.
    __Produced and created the theatrical short DEATH AND SUNRISE

15 Responses to “Eyvind Earle”

  1. on 17 Sep 2007 at 1:40 pm 1.Ray K said …

    These are fabulous, Michael. I especially like the series of 3 photos showing how he builds the tree BG from a basic de Stijl-like geometry with vertical rectangles. It’s as if his first business is to smash the huge Scope frame into friendlier shapes, then soften and polish off the hard edges at the end. Smart work.

  2. on 15 Jan 2008 at 11:03 pm 2.Drake Brodahl said …

    Thanks for the informative post, Michael! The more I learn about Earle, the more I want to know. Truly an amazing artist.

  3. on 22 Feb 2008 at 11:43 pm 3.Aurora Brier Rose said …

    Fri. Feb 22, 2008
    Please forgive me if this letter is a bit informal. I’m sitting at home with my husband and child–the one on the computer and the other watching the Lion King one and half. I’ll let you decide which one is doing which. But, I write you as I hope for you to know, oh mysterious Gallery Director, that until this very moment I didn’t know Mr. Earl had passed away.
    You see, I am in love with Sleeping Beauty– a movie I have only recently had the pleasure of re-discovering– much and most of which have directly to do with Mr. Earl’s unique talent– a talent I will not yet try to describe in words as much reflection of learning about his life must be acquired before I dare do, yet I know this artist, this Master of Inspiring Work should be remembered in such a special way. I longed to do an interview with him, mostly to learn about his feelings and thoughts on making Sleeping Beauty come to life with his majestic backgrounds.
    Although I must admit I have a strange purpose for doing so–certainly not detracting from all that Earl made Disney’s production– for there is no doubt that Earl is responsible for the flowing theme of magnificent beauty that without second thought surpasses Disney’s other films.
    Part of my purpose is to make Aurora–the princess from Sleeping Beauty– be put back in her Blue dress. Disney now markets her in pink, and perhaps it is to make more money. But, it is my opinion that upon precise explication of the film one begins to understand that Sleeping beauty is about Destiny and even eternal life–don’t they walk hand in hand– proving as one example that her Blue dress was her gown of magic, supernatural help and so much more. So, I hope that I have not bored you. Rather I hope that you see my desire to learn more about Mr. Earl. Perhaps I will be fortunate enough to meet some of his family. Blessed be Eyvind Earl, in Jesus’ name amen.
    Are you part of Eyvind Earl publishing? Are you part of his family? Did you ever meet him? I am so happy that you have received this. Please write me back at your convenience.
    Magickally Yours,
    L. Michelle Degener
    to be –>(Aurora Brier Rose)
    “With God All things Are Possible.” -Jesus

  4. on 23 Feb 2008 at 9:03 am 4.Michael said …

    You’ll remember that Aurora walks down those stairs at the film’s end, and her dress is changed from blue to pink to blue to pink on past the fade out. I don’t see that the color of her dress is inappropriate unless they paint it yellow.

    No I am not related in any way to the Disney organization, and yes I met him. If you go to this link, you’ll find all the other posts I did on Earle’s work and where I discuss that meeting.

  5. on 13 Nov 2008 at 4:54 pm 5.Kara said …

    This is a huge part of what has always set Disney light years of everyone else this animation is better than reality. Many great examples of Mr Earles work can be found new or used at http://www.mickeysdisneystore.com

  6. on 05 Mar 2009 at 6:32 pm 6.Danielle Finnerman said …

    I currently work in a gallery in Monterey,CA which has all of these amazing original Eyvind Earle paintings. I am a big fan. You can see most of them on our website; however, there is no comparison to viewing them in person.

  7. on 21 Apr 2009 at 11:27 pm 7.jillmarie miller said …

    We have a print of Mr. Earle’s in which he signed his name on the back and added one of his “Tall Trees” next to his signature. We love his work. Have you found the animated trailer for West Side Story? Does it still exist?

    Jill Miller

  8. on 04 Sep 2009 at 12:25 am 8.Betty said …

    Speaking of Disney using work from previous movies in new ones. I’ve always said that I recognize animated characters from past movies in the newer ones. ONe night we were watching Sleepy Hollow and I said to my husband, gee, there is something familiar about those cattails knocking about on the side of the road as Icabod Crane rides his broken down horse through the woods. I said, I know I’ve seen those cattails before, maybe in Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty. Boy! Those cattails must have a great agent! They keep turning up in other Disney movies. Even Disney’s smallest detailed characters are memorable and are certainly worthy of repeat performances where ever they want to put them. I loved those cattails that bobbed as the horses hooves slowly clattered down the road.
    Betty.

  9. on 29 Oct 2009 at 3:24 pm 9.Pam Barber said …

    I am looking for “My Life” in DVD.

  10. on 05 Feb 2010 at 10:58 pm 10.TONI said …

    HELLO I OWN THE SERIGRAPH THE TALL TRESS AS WELL AS A BOOK OF EYVIND EARLE POEMS HAND AUTOGRAPHED BY MR EARLE HIMSELF..MY COUSIN HAD AN ART GALLERY MANY YEARS AGO IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, WE PURCHASED THE TALL TREES FROM HIM AND WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I BOUGHT OUR FIRST HOME, HE GAVE US THE BOOK AS A HOUSEWARMING GIFT, WHICH I STILL HAVE DISPLAYED ON OUR COFFE TABLE, THE PAINTING IS DISPLAYED ON A WALL IN OUR HOME WHERE OUR STAIRCASE GOES UP…MR EARLE WAS NOT ONLY A GREAT PAINTER BUT ALSO A GREAT POET…I TREASURE THESE TWO ITEMS, AND WILL PASS THEM ON TO OUR DAUGHTER WHEN SHE IS OLDER…RIP MR EARLE YOUR TALENT AND WORDS STILL DECORATE OUR HOME….GOD BLESS YOU..

  11. on 06 Jun 2010 at 2:03 pm 11.Paula said …

    Greetings,
    Our family used to live next door to Eyvind in California many years. Hence, we possess an original (never released) and several other pieces of his work. If you are interested in purchasing one or more of his pieces, I would be happy to send photos and asking prices. Thank you!

  12. on 04 Oct 2010 at 8:43 am 12.Animation Champ said …

    wow quite nice blog i will come once more to read new subject thank you

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