Artsy Animation: Pizzicato Pussycat

A post ultimately inspired by reading Cartoon Modern by Amid Amidi, style and design of 50's animation was highly influenced by modern design and contemporary styles of the time.
1955's Pizzicato Pussycat, a Merrie Melodie directed by Friz Freleng, features a stylized look based on the modernist look of cartoons created during that period.
The character designs and backgrounds are simplistic but read well while simply being graphic shapes. Layouts and Backgrounds for the short are credited to Hawley Pratt and Richard H. Thomas.
Check out this great artwork!You can add this great looking short to your collection by finding a copy of Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 4.

A Little Golden Inspiration

Hey fellow cartoonists/artists! Recently I've been inspired by checking out the always classic collection of Little Golden Books!Ever since Pixar started releasing their films in Little Golden Books format complete with retro designs with classic paintings and artwork I've been searching out inspirational looking Golden Book stories.Various cartoonists/artists have been blogging about the format while pointing out the importance of design, art style and painting that these books are full of. An example of such a post can be found here. I really want to find a copy of "Zappo Change-O"!
I've started my own collection of Golden Books that are filled with inspirational art and designs. Garage/yard sales and book stores are grand places to search out these gems.
First up is a book that has been left to sit in my fiance's closet for many years, "Rocky and his Friends"!I would have liked to show you the art from "Bullwinkle", but the rest of the book has been lost over time.Check out these images from "Rocky and his Friends"!I do have more books to highlight here so stay tuned!