January 23, 2007
JP Miller Article by John Canemaker
Head's up on a magazine article that Brew readers will definitely want to check out. The new issue of CARTOONS: THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANIMATION features a John Canemaker-penned cover story—"In Search of John Parr Miller— about the life and work of JP Miller. The thirteen-page piece, which contains new research and biographical material, is the first article in a two-part series. The cover, above, is a 1941 painting by Miller created in Rio de Janeiro. (This magazine is put out by ASIFA International, and unfortunately available only to ASIFA members.)
Miller (1913-2004) was one of the members of Disney's Character Model Department where he helped develop the look of the studio's early classics (PINOCCHIO, DUMBO, FANTASIA, etc). After leaving Disney, he embarked on a legendary career as a children's book illustrator. His work—both at Disney and as an illustrator—always had a tremendous amount of appeal. It's great to finally have the opportunity to learn more about him.