Colloquia Archive
IU Informatics presents lecture by award-winning artist, animator Ward Jenkins
February 12, 2008
The Media Arts and Science Program is proud to present Ward Jenkins, who will share stories about his career as an artist and animator. Ward's appearance is part of the From Tradition to Innovation Lecture Series @ IUPUI.
Jenkins talks passionately about being an artist and animator. Having worked in the industry for over 12 years, he surprisingly still enjoys it. From an early start when he created his first bit of animation in 9th grade, to working in the Atlanta animation scene for years, to making the big move to work as a director for LAIKA/house in Portland, OR, Ward traces back crucial steps to find out how and why he's still getting paid to draw. Ward will also talk about why it's so cool to work for LAIKA/house, showcasing a couple of current projects.
Jenkins is an animation director at LAIKA/house in Portland, OR. Formerly of Atlanta, GA, Ward has been animating for over 12 years in the industry and drawing like mad since childhood. In addition to being a full-time animator/director, he is also a designer, illustrator and graffiti writer who regularly maintains a blog, The Ward-O-Matic. Oh, yeah — he does the married-with-kids thing, too.
Influences include (in no particular order): Jack Davis, Freddie Moore, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Robert Rauschenberg, Saul Bass, Jim Flora, Charley Harper, Tom Oreb, Mary Blair, Tex Avery, old skool hip-hop, mid-century art & design, vintage children’s books and a vast multitude of uncredited illustrators found throughout the pages of vintage cookbooks and ephemera everywhere. Word on the street is that he's currently holed up in the basement, furiously at work on his third short film. However, he's yet to confirm or deny this rumor. Ward is married to Andrea, and together, they have two kids: Ava (7), and Ezra (3).
