Sunday, September 26, 2010

PIXAR!

Illustration for BBC Wales website article.
Welsh version here.

Over 20 years ago I saw John Lasseter on TV talking about KNICK KNACK and how he studied Chuck Jones cartoons professionally & felt he had never truly worked a day in his life because he got paid to do what he loves!  This sounded like the job for me!

I started animation school just as TOY STORY was released and of course Pixar became the studio to work for. 15 years and thousands of drawings later it's with great pleasure that I accepted Pixar's invitation to join their story dept.
It's been a long wait with the interview process & visa issues but I'll finally be moving to San Francisco this week to start work the beginning of October on a top secret project that I know nothing about-so don't ask!

I've tried to see as much of Europe as possible over the past year drawing along the way.  I'm looking forward to exploring San Francisco and northern California as much as I can.  But I feel that I'm going to be really busy on the film for the next couple years . . .

My local newspaper ran a story on me with a pic of me climbing out of a Norwegian fjord!

The Daily Post picked up on the Norway trip too here.

New promo posters have been released for the last 2 films I worked on.  They will be released in 2011

28 comments:

Jamie Iles said...

That's going to be an amazing experience for you. Good Luck for the future.

Daniel said...

First off congratulations Matt! If anyone deserves it, you do. You have so much damn talent. This blog is about to get a hell of a lot more followers too. :P

Fifteen years eh? That seems to be the going rate in term of "years trying to get in." Was the same for Hartline and a few others I know of.

Hopefully I'll meet you there some day :)

SHOo said...

Matt! That's fantastic news! Congratulations on the new job and good luck! Looking forward to seeing more of your art soon - even though I'm sure you'll be busy as!

stefan marjoram said...

Fantastic news - well done - I'm sure you'll have a blast. Loads of new places to draw too. Looking forward to reading about your adventures.

Unknown said...

Congrats again, and can't wait to see what you think of San Francisco. It's quite different from Europe.

Kristen McCabe said...

Congratulations! That's so Cool!

Kristian said...

I can't imagine anyone more deserved. Congratulations old bean. I'm so
pleased.

Robyn Sinclair said...

Congratulations indeed! Being paid to play is one of life's greatest joys.

Heather Dixon said...

That's fabulous! BIG congratulations!

Matthew Cruickshank said...

Thank god you were wearing that anti flak floatation body warmer!

Are you going to Bangor or just kiss?

It's a terrible joke but it makes me laugh.

So this is really it. It's farewell but not adieu. All my best wishes go with you on your new adventure. At least we have cyberspace to communicate.

We tried everything to make you stay, we even traveled to wales and signed for your visa whilst you were out of the country.

Brown Cheese, The North Star and The Spread Eagle will never be the same again!! I'll miss you.

So long Ol' bean- Boris is still threatening to visit, maybe we can crash at your new I-Pad.

Owen Flanagan said...

Congratulations Matt, your Spain sketches are fantastic.

Mick said...

good for you

remain british

Thierry Cattant said...

Congratulations, you've got many talent!!!

Owen Williams said...

Amazing achievement, well done that man. Pete Hodges and Chris Webster would be proud! :)

Rochelle Burrows said...

How fantastic and inspirational! I'm sure you're extremely excited, and I'm proud of you being from England!!!!

Alan said...

Huge congratulations!! Pixar is the absolute top the the tree.

Pete said...

Hey Matt,

Fantastic news - and to answer Owen's comment, yes we at Glamorgan are extremely proud.

...and what with the beard an all you are beginning to look like a young Chris Webster!

Congratulations, good luck and keep in touch.

All the best,

Pete

Unknown said...

Congrats!

LuLu said...

Congratulations! Good work.

Peace,
Mary Lou 'LuLu'
Would love for you to visit my blog, and comment on some of my art when you have a moment or 2!
www.lulu-too-beaucoup.blogspot.com/

Matt Jones said...

Thanks for the encouragement & support everyone-see you in SanFrancisco . . .

Kendra Melton said...

Aw, Congrats! I'm sure you'll be a shoe-in, you're very talented. Good luck with your move and up in coming projects. Nothing but the best! :D

Quentin Lebegue said...

Wow wow wow WOW man this is incredible ! Congratulations !

I love it when artists like you post about new jobs, and you can see their improvement and the long journey they had to take in order to achieve their dreams.

This is the kind of post that gives me so much inspiration. I am so happy for you, even if I don't know you, and wish you all the best.

quentin

John T Quinn III said...

mazal tov!

Jeff Harter said...

Good for you! You are going to love it!

Mike Shorten said...

Congratulations Matt. Go and do Wales proud!

Love that drawing of Cobh harbour by the way - absolutely gorgeous.

Jeremy said...

Congrats man, you're very talented and deserve this opportunity!

LIBRABEAR said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
libra bear said...

Its a bit late, I know, but congratulations, the story dept just had a power up.