This week we mourn the loss of yet another Disney great. Mr. Blaine Gibson was one of the most amazing sculptors of our time. He was also an animator. Blaine is responsible for a lot of the figures we enjoy every day at Disneyland. That’s the work that got my heart pumping.
He passed away peacefully on July 5th.
However, even though we may be sad that we won’t see him anymore, he had a fantastic life. He also left behind so many great works that he will long be remembered.
Blaine was hand picked by Walt Disney to help create Disneyland. Because of his talent, he was hand picked to create the majority of the busts of presidents which appear in the Disney parks (Hall of Presidents, I’m looking at you).
Remember the first time you went to Disneyland? Take a moment right now to remember what that was like: The smell of the popcorn, the look of all the attractions, the characters you met, the fireworks and the parades.
I’m sure you all can remember just about every time you’ve been to Disneyland. Of all those times what sticks out as an exceptional memory in your mind?
For me, it was the day I learned about Blaine Gibson.
When I was a little girl, like you I loved to go the Disneyland. The first thing I’d always want to go on was the Jungle Cruise. I just loved the Jungle Cruise. On one particularly uncrowded day in the park, the jungle skipper gave us a very special tour.
“ You love those animals, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
I looked up at him smiling.
He smiled back and told me a story about the man who had created many of the characters for the Jungle Cruise. When I pointed to my favorite scene, the one where the entire expedition is stuck in a tree being prodded by the rhino, our cast member said,
“Yup, those were created by Walt Disney Imagineer Blaine Gibson. A lot of the stuff you see here at the park was.”
Created?! My eyes widened as I realized that a person could actually grow up and create all that I saw and be paid for it. Wow! I had to learn more.
Every time I went to Disneyland, I would ask anyone I could about Blaine Gibson. I was on a mission. I watched him on TV standing with Walt and sharing the character sculptures he would create for upcoming attractions.
Soon I got to meet some Imagineers and after asking each and every one of them, I began to learn a lot about Blaine.
As I grew older the fire within burned stronger and stronger. I declared that I was going to be an Imagineer and I was going to meet the amazing Blaine Gibson.
As you know, I applied over and over to Walt Disney Imagineering only to be continually rejected. Then when Disneyland Paris was being created, I finally landed a job in the rockwork department.
On the first day we had orientation and on the tour we walked into the sculpture department. There, around the corner, was Blaine Gibson’s workspace. One of the things I love about sculpting is the smell and feel of the clays available. This smell was all over the room.
After a long, long, long, long, long grueling audition, I landed a job in the sculpture department. As fate would have it, I was given Blaine Gibson’s workspace! It was too good to be true, but there I was.
Besides being given this amazing space, Disney told me that I had a couple of free days as the powers that be figured out just what I would be sculpting for my first project.
“Feel free to look at the books on your desk.”
I turned and realized they were Blaine Gibson’s documentation books of all the sculptures he’d done from the beginning. I was beyond words as I flipped through the book and saw one magnificent figure after another. These figures had no costumes they were just the bare figures as Blaine had created them. I poured over them analyzing every bit of anatomy. Best study material ever!
What an amazing man. What an amazing Company Walt Disney Imagineering is. A blessing to have worked there.
Finally, about 15 years ago I got to meet and speak with my hero. My dear friend Louis Garcia brought him over to meet me. Blaine sat right next to me during a signing session.
We had an amazing conversation as we chatted and signed things for you, our Disney fans. After, I got to sit with Blaine Gibson and Harriet Burns for dinner. This was just an E-ticket opportunity as we shared sculpting, creation and art stories. I remember thinking, “Lucky me! two for one.
Blaine’s eyes twinkled with the excitement one sees when artists get together and share creative ideas and stories about Walt Disney. Harriet was such a gracious lady. It was truly amazing. Just think, there I was in a huddle with Harriet Burns and Blaine sharing and giggling like school kids it was just unreal.
Afterward Blaine asked if he might see my work . . . my heart skipped a beat. Blaine and Harriet walked me out to my car. Luckily, I had much of my work with me. Blaine and Harriet took a look at some of my sculpting pieces. Blaine cradled each and every piece I had done, examining them closely. He then looked up at me and with a smile he said, “You are an amazing artist, Terri. These are simply incredible. Some of the best I’ve ever seen.” “You’re truly a master sculptor.” I could barely sleep that night.
After that first meeting I’d call Blaine off and on. I’d ask his advice when I had a challenging project and I always enjoyed hearing what he was doing as he was always busy. I hadn’t spoken with him in a while, but he was always on my mind.
One thing for sure is that Blaine lives forever in the works he created. We can see him every time we see one of his presidents, the Walt and Mickey “Partners” statue, or see one of the characters he created.
Thank you for the inspiration, and for being my friend, Blaine. You will always have a special place in my heart.
Appearances
This is a VERY busy time folks. So much going on and many chances for us to meet each other!
Here’s where you can find me:
JULY 15- Disneyana Fan Club’s Ryman Arts Benefit Dinner -6pm Wyndham Hotel.
Harbor just past Chapman. A visit to Terri’s Art Studio will be offered at live auction among many other amazing items in a silent auction as well.
JULY 16 – Evening. If a line forms to go into the Park for the birthday, be assured
Terri Hardin will be in it.
JULY 17 – DISNEYLAND All day to celebrate the 60th birthday. Terri’s favorite hangout is near Coke’s corner. Come by, grab a drink and say hello.
JULY 18 – 6pm. Disneyana Fan Club Banquet at the Wyndham Hotel.
Harbor just past Chapman.
JULY 19- 9-5 Disneyana Fan Club’s Show and Sale. Terri will have a few items for sale including her book, photos and collectables. Plus I’ll be working on the Castle piece available below. So, please be sure to stop by and see it.
CASTLE UPDATE
Interest has been strong and the orders continue to come in. Many of you have been asking questions and I think it’s a good idea for me to share some new information with you.
I will soon begin sharing progress videos with everyone. Videos will be available here on MiceChat.com, beginning soon after the 60th birthday celebration for Disneyland.
For those who order in the presale period, you will be able to help Terri make some key decisions about the piece.
PLUS, I have reduced the edition size to 200 units. The presale will last until the last day of the D23 Expo or when they sell out, whichever comes first.
If there are any pieces left after D23, the price will go up to $395.00 (shipping included within the continental US).
Delivery is now planned for November.
Terri will be working on the castle piece at the upcoming Disneyana Fan Club Convention at the Wyndham Hotel on Harbor East of Chapman on Sunday.
Come by and take a look, it’s the perfect time to get your questions answered.
If you are interested in the piece, reserve yours now:
The castle is a dimensional plaque that you can hang on your wall. The material is cold Cast Porcelain a type of resin that shows incredible detail. The size will be about 12” tall by 6-7 inches wide, depth about ¾” thick. Understand that the drawing above is very rough, as sculpting is Terri’s true medium so it may change a little here and there.
It will be done in Bas Relief, a dimensional type of sculpting where the images jut forward in a 3D effect. Take a look at the map photo below. See how the attractions seem to jut forward toward you?
My commitment is for the quality and detail to go above and beyond your expectation. It will be an amazing model.
SPECS.
Name- 60 years of Magic by Terri Hardin
Edition Size – 300 *Numbered and signed by the artist.
Size Approx. – 12”tall x 6 to 7” wide x ¾” thick.
Patina – Bronze (as of now)
Cost – $295.00 ea.
PRE–PURCHASE and RECEIVE some perks
When you pre–purchase this amazing piece you not only get a wonderful limited edition piece your receive an amazing gift and opportunity.
- #1 – you’ll receive a pin set depicting attractions represented in the 60 Years of Magic sculpture. Available ONLY during the Pre-Sale.
- #2 – I will offer an exclusive link to special content which will include videos of me as I create this piece from start to finish.
Here’s a video of me explaining the piece.
Pre-order your piece TODAY – HERE
As always, thank you for your comments. I look forward to reading more.
See you next time.
-Terri
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