CELEBRATION NEWS - December 2013
40
Dreams Can Come True By Rob Kaz I pleaded with the guard at the gate, “Please sir. I was told I’d be able to drive right up to the backside of the gallery. There’s no way I can carry all of these supplies.” I referenced the easel, box of paints and brushes and the canvas carrier filled with two wet oil paintings in the back of my car. “Could you try calling the manager of the gallery to see if they just forgot to put my name on the list?” Ten minutes later, the guard finally lowered the security ramp and allowed me to drive onto Avenue Of The Stars. I followed a route behind World Showcase Lagoon, under part of Test Track, past Norway, America and Japan, beneath the International Gateway and finally parked outside of The Living Seas. Moments later, I was painting in the Art Of Disney gallery, chatting with guests and occasionally smiling for photos or signing purchased artwork. © Disney
Surreal. Completely surreal. As an annual passholder, I frequent Epcot, but never in this capacity … and certainly never with a sign in front of the gallery that read, “Appearing today: Rob Kaz.” As an artist, I admire the works that grace the walls of galleries at Disney. I have aspired to shake the hands of animators and artists who make people smile with the magic they create. Today, I was that artist. While painting for three days in Epcot (followed by appearances at Festival Of The Masters in Downtown Disney the following weekend), I had the incredible fortune to meet Disney fans who rival my own passion for the history, the talent and the sheer magic that goes into creating the universe we know as Disney. So many of them, like me, appreciate the tiny details, the often untold tales and the names that get so little recognition even though they are responsible for our favorite characters, stories and fantastic worlds.
© Disney
I was humbled by the kind words that were poured upon me as I painted over the weekend. I can only hope that each person with whom I connected, each person who stopped in to say hello, each person who smiled upon seeing some of my paintings will understand how much I value the embrace.
Rob Kaz is a Celebration resident, fine artist and one of only a small handful of artists licensed to paint Disney characters and films. See his work at www.RobKazArt.com.
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