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July 11, 2012

About 11 years ago, I made my first animated film in undergrad at VCU. I used about 1200 watercolor painting to do it. Today I'm putting it up again for my closest friends who just lost a very dear friend to cancer. As for my friends Kevin and Maria, years ago, this is still for friends who leave us too soon.

Valerie's Blog.

Updates on new drawings, works-in-progress and professional work

Happy Halloween Dahlings!

What a week. Another friend and amazing artist passed away. Garett Sheldrew. I heard the legend of Garett in the Pixar story department before I had the chance to actually work with him on Inside Out and witness his brilliance first hand. Then as part of (quite possibly the best story team ever) on Toy Story 4 which would not have been the same without him. He was one-of-kind. A self-trained artist, who could visualize entire sequences in his mind, then blast out hundreds of drawings in a few hours with incredible life and emotion. This drawing was one he gave me right before my daughter was born. He is already deeply missed. Rest in peace Garett, your memory is also a blessing. May you be a Saint of Storyboarding for all of us still scribbling away in our mortal coils. May we meet again on the next level. 🙏💛 #garettsheldrew

Moss Beach sketch

Its turning out to be a rough month. Another friend and colleague passed away this week, Amber Martorelli. A talented animator, artist, friend, mother, who is gone too soon. I recently learned its traditional Jewish custom to say “May her memory be a blessing”. My memory of Amber will be exactly that. The challenge of the past years put a lot of time between when I last saw her, but she was someone who exuded joy and hope. This photo was years ago when we both received our ten year awards at Pixar.

So long summer. I had some fun digitally cleaning up and coloring an old prompt pencil sketch.

Something I love about prompt drawing is how it gets your mind to recall details that have gotten lost in the memory clutter. This one I drew a while back, my Kindergarten teacher always wore dresses with paisleys on them.

Moss Beach, CA

More ipad sketches from walks this summer. Oakland Hills

Today Animation lost a legend, and many lost a friend who always welcomed and inspired. I feel so honored to have known, worked with, and had many conversations about musicals with the brilliant Ralph Eggleston. As everyone at Pixar sent emails remembering him today, it was really striking how much Ralph gave his time and attention to so many, his infectious enthusiasm for film and wealth of knowledge. The man had seen everything and had an opinion about it all. I remember him recommending this massive tome of a book to me: “MGM’s Greatest Musicals: The Arthur Freed Unit. We may be the only ones who’ve read the whole thing- except Ralph could remember everything in it. I’m pretty sure Ralph also invented the color script. He was brilliant, he was wonderful frantic energy. He will be sorely missed. #ralpheggleston #pixar

Top of San Jacinto, Palm Springs