Disney artist will draw interest at library next Wednesday

Bob Abrams can literally draw upon a lifetime – at 93, a long one, at that – of sharing highlights of a colorful career as an animator with Warner Bros., Hanna-Barbera and Disney, among others.

Fondly known as the "Disney Artist" around La Conner, his home for the past 15 years, Abrams will recount his illustrious times in the entertainment and media industries during a special one-hour program at the La Conner Swinomish Library next Wednesday.

Abrams, a Pittsburgh, PA. native who hit the big time in southern California, is booked to appear 5 p.m. Feb. 22.

"We're very excited about it," library Director Jean Markert told the Weekly News. "He had brought some books to us and we were listening to his stories and I thought that it would make a great program. I asked if he'd share some of those stories with us and he said 'yes, but you'd better hurry. I'm 93.'"

Abrams is never shy to mention his age. One reason is that as a youth his health was occasionally fragile and some doubted he would realize the longevity enjoyed by others in his family.

Fortunately, they were wrong.

Abrams was wheelchair-bound as a 10-year-old with little to do but cultivate his love of drawing.

"All I had to do was draw," Abrams recalls. "There was no television, no computers. From the time I was five years old, I had admired Walt Disney. So, my mom and I sent a drawing of mine of Donald Duck to the Disney Studios and I got a letter back encouraging me to continue with my art."

Abrams took the Disney people at their word. After completing studies at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and serving a stint in the U.S. Navy, Abrams headed for Burbank.

"I went to the Disney Studios there and reminded them that they owed me an interview," he chuckled. "They hired me."

At Disney, Abrams was tutored by the nation's finest animators.

He plans to share some of those professional tips learned inside the industry with his audience.

"I want to show on the board some of the things that should've been demonstrated in art schools but were never taught," Abrams said. "I've done so much. I'm going to try to cover as much as I can."

Abrams was part of numerous iconic productions during the Golden Age of Hollywood animation, from 1955-1970.

"I worked on Bugs Bunny, Mr. Magoo, The Jetsons," said Abrams. "Good God, I was able to do pretty much everything. I taught and lectured at several places."

Indeed, while in California, Abrams expanded his resume by completing courses in advertising art design, cinematography and film editing, earning a teaching credential from UCLA.

He even illustrated an album cover for the brilliant but ultimately disgraced record producer Phil Spector, who would die in prison, a convicted murderer.

During his La Conner years, Abrams – who shares an apartment here with his aptly named black-and-white cat Sylvester – has ventured into painting, equally comfortable with oils, watercolors or acrylics.

A favorite subject for his easels has been the several species of birds whose flyways take them over La Conner.

Rarely – if ever – has there been a dull moment for Abrams, reminiscing on a career path that took him to the major studios and college lecture halls and membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

And now to the new La Conner Swinomish Library, where for an hour next week he will be a treasured walking, talking addition to the reference section.

While much of his talk will address personal history, those in attendance are sure to recognize that Abrams has always been ahead of the times. Long before the mantra, 'work smarter, not harder' became a workplace staple, Abrams was living it.

"All I ever wanted to do was draw," he explained, "I can honestly say that I got paid extremely well for not working a day in my life."