2003 NFFC Convention Part Three
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Artist Eric Robison, who created the 100 Mickeys that were displayed in the Disney Gallery throughout last year offered a brief introduction into his career at Disney and his art. Eric began his career at Walt Disney Imagineer after turning down jobs with various car manufacturers. His first project, a popcorn maker for Tokyo Disneyland's Tomorrowland quickly garnered him attention with WDI chief, Marty Sklar but not the type of attention he hoped for. His elaborate popcorn maker was a robotic creation with various appendages that would stomp around Tomorrowland disseminating the snack to park guests. Sklar was quick to point out that this was an extremely expensive creation that he apparently had no idea of budget nor did he take into consideration guest safety with his enormous contraption. However Robison's skills with automotive styles were used to create the robotic birds that were introduced at Tokyo Disneyland's Star Tours. He was interrupted by a Conventioneer who had purchased a toy representing his bird. Eric was delighted to see one of his creations as a toy although he remarked that he would've loved to see it bigger and with more details. During his days at WDI, Robison would doodle and paint the Disney characters in his unique style. His co-workers encouraged him to do something with this images. After he attempted to sell them within various divisions of Disney to no avail he devised a clever plan. Knowing WDI chief wasn't in his office, Eric snuck in and placed his art throughout the office so that Marty Sklar would definitely see it the next day at work. Well he did and Eric was rushed into Marty's office. Marty was unable to sit down at his desk thanks to Eric's art all around but after a rather red faced Eric admitted this was probably not the best way to be discovered, Marty suggested a showing at the Gallery and Eric's career as a Disney artist was begun. Eric's vibrant, high-energy representations of Mickey, Goofy, the princesses and other characters have experienced strong sales at the resorts worldwide. Following his presentation Eric sold various artwork, and a softbound book of his art, signed autographs and posed for photos. Eric's recent Tinker Bell images are currently available at the Disneyland Resort and he is working on a Nightmare Before Christmas image for the upcoming Haunted Mansion Holiday event. Eric dropped a hint that he was working on something special for the 50th but refused to offer up any further details.