Colorful art swarms the room as many come to enjoy what has been sought after by artists and enthusiasts. Cartoon drawings from Walt Disney, Bill Hanna, Joe Barbera, George Nicholas, Walter Lantz, and Chuck Jones are currently at the Fresno Metropolitan Museum and range “From Mickey to the Grinch.”

George Nicholas has participated in the cartoon industry since the mid 1920s. Since then he has influenced many artists to enter the cartoon industry. Children and adults alike have been amazed and astonished with the excellent array for realism and action.

“I have been a fan of Disney’s since I was a boy,” Lloyd Gordon, curator at the Fresno Metropolitan Museum, said. “When I was in my teens I still had a desire to watch and draw Disney art.”

The art of doodling can benefit anyone that wants a career in animation. By doodling on a sheet of paper an animator can see the full potential in a sketch. Even famous artists such as Nicholas and Barbera doodled at one time. The Met has brought together many sketches and drawings for cartoon and doodling fans alike to appreciate.

There have been movies, books, records and toys made of these characters. Both Warner Brothers and Disney have had an impact on American culture. From children’s animation to mid teens animation, many would agree they have made an empire out of animated characters.

Hanna-Barbera Productions animated many cartoons in the 50s, 60s and 70s. One of their television series was Scooby Doo, which first aired in 1969. They successfully invented and animated shows from the Flintstones to Hong Kong Phooey, influencing animation in North America.

Animators, like students have been known to change their minds mid-stream on a project. For instance, the Flintstones animated series originally began as the Flagstones, changed to the Gladstones, but finally came to be known as the Flintstones.

“I’ve always enjoyed the Flintstones,” Josh Voelker, ’04, said. “The characters intrigue me. Since I was a kid I thought it would be cool to live in the stone-age.”

According to art teacher Sharon Scharf, animation is a hobby and a lifestyle for many Americans.

“Some create art in their free time while others make a career out of it,” Scharf said. “It can make a thriving career for talented artists as well as others that decide on that specific career.”

For more information on The Met, call 441-1444 or go online at www.fresnomet.org. “From Mickey to the Grinch” will be at The Met until April 27. Tickets for students are $3, adults $7, while Thursdays are only $1 for everyone.