Jan 272011
Flashback!
One of my local PBS TV stations in the Bay Area used to show short films back in the mid-late 80s, to fill the gap between Doctor Who and their evening block of British sitcoms, if I recall correctly. One of my favorites… no, make that my absolute favorite, was Sheila Graber’s short piece on the works of Leonardo da Vinci. She brought his sketches to life the old-fashioned, painstaking way–one drawing at a time. The beauty of this piece made a deep impression on me even to this day. I can’t listen to Vivaldi’s L’Iverno without one of da Vinci’s sketches popping into my mind, and I can’t look at a da Vinci drawing without a temporary flashback to this animation.
Link: Sheila Graber’s YouTube channel
Thanks so much for sharing that memory with me- it really has made my year . I never knew where my films were being screened – just so glad you enjoyed it! All good wishes -sheila
Wow, thanks for leaving a comment!
I also remember the station (KTEH in San Jose, CA) also showed a few of your other shorts. The short piece about Michelangelo, Mondrian, and the beautifully-painted cradle-to-grave animation. I never get tired of watching them.
Thanks for giving me these fond memories!
Hi Onny, Just looked at your own work from”Animated Blockbusters” to “The land of Smiles” – brilliant images- heartfelt..
thanks for giving me some new fond memories..
Keep Going – Sheila
Hi Onny I have just re-joined Linkedin (as I had packed in all social networking – too mind boggling) but I’d really like to link up with you in this – but cannot trace your e-mail. Hoping you can help… I’ve added your much appreciated comment on Leonardo as a web-link on the front of my YouTube website – under “Blast from the Past on Leonardo”
hope that’s OK. Trust you have a really happy and animated 2012
Cheers Sheila and my cat Seamus – loved Puss in Boots in Shrek and am off to see the full movie tomorrow – did you light it?)
I have always loved every animation, film, painting, book or sketch created by SHEILA GRABER – however, I had the magical privilige of often seeing my Aunt’s work earlier than most people.
Although we lived a couple of hundred miles away from Sheila and my Gran, ( Sheila’s beloved Mother DORIS GRABER ) my parents made sure that at least a couple of times a year my brother, NIGEL, and myself would be driven to visit Sheila’s former home in South Sheilds. That the town enjoys fantastic beaches, coves, miles of coastlline and Minchella’s Ice Cream Parlours only served to add to the excitement of a trip to Sheila’s whether it was Summer or during the bracing Christmas period.
The REAL magic would begin when we could contain our excitement no more and Aunty Sheila would set up her 16mm Projector, draw the curtains across her wide sitting-room windows and treat us to a preview of her latest animation. I have to say that LEONARDO became and remains my favorite film. Once seen, it really does stay attached to Vivaldi’s music and come to mind, as you say, whenever one hears Vivaldi’s L’Iverno.
To ONNY, may I say how much pleasure your imagery has given me. However I am so glad to find another person with the same appreciation of a film, which notwithstanding the world-class quality & trailblazing inspiration of Sheila’s later and continued productions, remains my favorite film by my favorite Aunt. I hope someday you will have the chance to meet Sheila – as exceptional an individual as ever would one might wish to meet!