Home & Family: Tracy Larsen Visit
Tracy Larsen’s Visit
Hallmark Keepsake Artist Tracy Larsen visits HOME & FAMILY to talk about his ornament designs this year, including “Flight of Fancy” and “Old World Santa.” He also speaks about his children, which he says are a major source of inspiration in his work.
Q&A: Jake Angell
Keepsake Artist Jake Angell was asked to share a little more about his Keepsake Ornaments coming out this year. Here’s what he had to say!
Jake: To my family, the “classics” have always been movies like “The Year Without a Santa Claus,” “Rudolph” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” because those are the types of movies that our kids are into watching. The stop-motion ones are some of our favorites. We love that we can quote or sing a song from them together—we have great memories around those already. The ornaments definitely play into that Christmas spirit that we are already into and can then relive on our tree.
He’s Mr. Heat Miser
The Year Without a Santa Claus
Jake: Most of what I have worked on, from Muppets, to Star Wars, to Nintendo, to LEGO covers all the types of things I dreamed of working on or doodled away about when I was growing up. I wanted to draw comic books, and we played with our Star Wars toys in the mud recreating new scenes. I imagined creating my own stories about Muppets and working with Jim Henson. It’s an honor to work on these ornaments for me and be a little part of the nostalgia of them.
Link
The Legend of Zelda
Its Tricky
Jake: I probably spent more time laboring over “It’s Tricky” because its my own character and those are always a little more stressful because you want EVERYONE to love the little guy and the music he plays. You hope no one tells you they don’t love him—it would break my heart!
Featured Artist: Jake Angell
Title:
Hallmark Production Designer
Started at Hallmark:
2000
Started at Keepsakes:
2012
Hometown:
Kansas City, Missouri
.
As a Keepsake Artist, Jake is known for crafting pop culture figures in ways that bring out their character in big ways. What’s more, Jake is a whiz at creating ornaments that capture childhood milestones, and hold on to their meaning for years to come.
Jake Angell has lived in Kansas City his entire life, surrounded by the likes of G.I. Joe and He-Man as favored playmates in his childhood. It didn’t take long for Jake to pick up drawing as a hobby, teaching himself illustration between lessons. “In school, classwork was self-paced, so I’d finish my work and just draw all day long.”
He studied graphic design in college, eventually learning illustration techniques in his own time that strengthened his passion for art. He’s worked for Hallmark for over a decade, but 2013 was his first year designing Keepsake Ornaments. “After working with packaging and game design for Asteroid Andy and various other products, I kept using and teaching 3-D programs on the side. Finally, I bugged the Keepsake Ornament team long enough for them to say: ok, we’d really like to get Jake up here to try it out!”
Today Jake is stilling trying out new things and dreaming of his favorite characters.
“I’ve got two kids and it’s really amazing to see my little boy discover all these great characters that I grew up loving, too.”
Artist Journal: Joanne Eschrich (Christmas Angels series original concept & process)
Monday, September 24, 2018
I thought I’d share with you my original concept that started my Angel Series.
I first created my concept sheet to sell my idea. Then once it was excepted, I had my daughter pose for me so that my proportions were correct. I then researched different hairstyles with braids, then chose my color palette for skin. At this time I also went out and gathered fabrics that fit my idea both in color and texture. I normally research and gather as much information as I can before i start sculpting on something. It makes it easier and more finished in the end.
Artist Journal: Joanne Eschrich (Celebrating 37 years!)
Monday, September 17, 2018
Dave Hall, Joanne Eschrich, and Don Hall Jr.
WoW! How good times fly! I’ll try to make my story/journey brief:
In 1981 Hallmark offered me an artist position in Greeting Cards, but weeks before starting, they called and asked if I would help out in the “Gift and Occasion” department that created everything else but cards. (gift wrap, bags, stickers, albums, party, etc… and yes, Merry Miniatures) Of course I said yes and began my exciting career as an illustration artist for Hallmark. I mostly painted cute animals and even helped out my Supervisor who had newly created a character called “Rainbow Brite”. I learned so much from G.G. Santiago, including sculpting. I loved creating in 3D. It was as though I could make my drawings come to life. 14 years later, Patti Streeper and Don Hall Jr., who ran Keepsakes at the time, asked me to “hang up my 2D paint brush” and join them in Keepsakes. Once I started, I never looked back! I loved it, not just for the product, but for the opportunity to meet all of you who truly enjoy what we do. Thank you for making my switch in careers so worthwhile and so rewarding. You are very much appreciated.