Hi everyone...and Don.

[Ex-Bluthie]

Hey there forum.

I'm Travis.

I was fortunate enough to have worked for Don Bluth Animation as an assistant animator on Thumbellina as well as a couple of smaller projects starting at the ripe old age of 16 and ending around 20 at the animation studio in Los Angeles.

I've had a long career as a storyboard artist and jack of all trades and for the past 5 years have been indie from the business. I'm currently earning my certification in Maya, but have decided to commit myself to a master study period of about 5 years in general animation as well and , frankly, there was no other place to go for those studies than to Don; the man that captivated my imagination the minute I plunked down the first of many quarters into the hard bodied housing of my local Dragon's Lair.

As much as I have always loved the craft, I didn't truly learn to respect it and what it takes to master until I was out of the business and could gain a fresh perspective after nearly 3 decades doing it as my job.

It's no longer about the paycheck. It's now about the art.

I wanted to say hello and to introduce myself. It's truly wonderful to be here.

Travis Cowsill

http://www.coroflot.com/TravisCowsill_On-line_Portfolio
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/97/hangarg.jpg/

[Rodney]

Hi Travis,
It's great to have artists that has worked for Don Bluth frequent this forum. I hope your schedule allows you to spend time here with us.

I looked at your storyboards on your site... very solid work. :)

[Ex-Bluthie]

Hi Rodney,

Nice to meet you and thanks so much for the warm welcome!

Yes, my schedule is very full. Story of my life that I have multiple projects going on at all times. Wouldn't have it any other way. I really appreciated your effort in throwing me a hello, and for your comment on my boards. Really. Very kind.

I'm building my official traviscowsill domain this year to get a properly designed portfolio link up and running because I'm always worried that the coroflot protocol is going to confuse my visitors (or clients for that matter). Did you figure out immediately to just click the PORTFOLIO link when you got there, or did you veer over to the sample thumbnails on the right? Just curious. I always forget to tell people it's the portfolio link in the main menu that brings up the full set of boards (designs, what have you) from all the shows/features etc.

Best and yes, I will, little by little, establish a presence here with you all. Hence, the 5 year plan. So much to re-learn/learn anew. I was never a solid lead animator (as far as the books were concerned and knowing everything as practiced as I would have liked) as I went very quickly from assistant into storyboarding in my follow up gigs, so I'm really looking forward to gaining all I can from the root "courses" here from Don and his tutorials.

So glad to have found this site.

Best,

Travis Cowsill

[Ben Sword]

Hi Travis, Its great to have you here. I like hearing from people who have experience in animation. Hope to see you around!

[arif]

Welcome to the board Travis...hope, will listen so many stories from you while you had worked on Don`s project..:)

[AJartist]

Hello, Travis! Great to have you on board. I was wondering if you can talk more about your 5 year master animation study plan, and what exactly does it entail.

I had my own 5 year study plan myself. But it was all dedicated to literature. I hardly drew classical animation during that time. Before I knew it...I was 30 and have not yet landed a job in the biz. So I'm definitely making up for lost time by coming to this site. And it has certainly filled my empty cup!

[andrew sharp]

Welcome to the site :) your space lady is rad:)

[OwenWelsh]

Welcome Travis. I hope you can join us at the video seminars. I'm sure Don would like to hear from you.

[Ex-Bluthie]

Thanks Owen.

I intend to. But this is going to be a long climb. I have so much going on at the moment that this is just a first step.

But yes, the seminars are something I'm very interested in. Very much what I'm doing with the "webinars" at my MAYA training school. I've had such a warm welcome here at the Bluth forums (even writing that name again regularly brings back allot of memories. So surreal). I really can't tell you how much that means to me.

Thanks everyone. Little by little, I'll get there.

Best,

Travis

[Ex-Bluthie]

Welcome to the site :) your space lady is rad:)

Thanks Andrew. Nice to meet you as well.

Considering how much of a challenge and how many permutations that design has undergone until I was happy with it (still noodling-she's become my sort of go-to project on my weekends when I want to play), I really appreciate the compliment.

Travis

[Ex-Bluthie]

Hello, Travis! Great to have you on board. I was wondering if you can talk more about your 5 year master animation study plan, and what exactly does it entail.

I had my own 5 year study plan myself. But it was all dedicated to literature. I hardly drew classical animation during that time. Before I knew it...I was 30 and have not yet landed a job in the biz. So I'm definitely making up for lost time by coming to this site. And it has certainly filled my empty cup!

Hey AJ.

Thanks brother. I'm actually going to take some time to pen that reply to you and answer your friend request some time this week. I might have allot to share on the topic and I thought you (as a Board artist especially) would appreciate some depth from it, rather than a quick blurb here.

Expect something from me shortly.

I really like your avatar. There's allot of Dexter in there. Very "Bluthie" (lol, I haven't said that in a while. how cool!)

Best,
Travis

[GdeSouza]

Hey, Hi Travis!
Our paths crossed briefly in the mid 90s. You, I believe, were working for Ian Freeman and I was at Pure (that brief subsidiary of Radical Entertainment). Remember Z-force?
Anyway, nice to hear from you!

[GdeSouza]

"Wacky Fighters"....that's what it was called before Z-Force.

[well]

Welcome Travis !

I've looked at your portfolio and I can say that I just love it. I hope to see more and learn more in the future.

[Ex-Bluthie]

Thanks guys.

Yes, I do remember Z-force (Wacky Fighters) and you look very familiar...considering that was almost 20 years ago lol! Most of what I was able to hang on to from that project is in my portfolio. I've occasionally spoken to Tom Brooks. He's as gracious as ever

Once again everyone, the comments here have been just more than appreciated. It'll be a long haul, but looking forward to the submergence.

Travis

[AJartist]

Travis....I hope you mean Dexter from Space ace..and not the one I'm thinking about on the cartoon network! haha

[Ex-Bluthie]

Travis....I hope you mean Dexter from Space ace..and not the one I'm thinking about on the cartoon network! haha

There IS no Dexter outside of Space Ace. I know not of the little TV show you speak of. :laughing:

[AJartist]

Dexter's Laboratory. :)