Hello Kenneth,
We share the same first name, I go by Kenny, it just sounds friendlier. I first started drawing when I was very young. Having a full house of artist helps. My older brothers and sisters would draw and I'd mimic them. My mother was an art major at Ohio State. My early years I always loved Disney cartoons, but as I grew older I loved the work of The Masters - Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rubins [[NOTE: I think he is referring to Peter Paul Rubens]] even Norman Rockwell.The Masters work seemed to be so well rounded in art - drawing, painting and sculpting. That's my approach to art. know all you can and learn all you can, then you become more valuable in your field.
I was always a very hard worker in whatever I happened to be doing. Growing up in Cleveland I just couldn't find any good cartooning places, so I came to California to learn and hopefully work for Disney in 1979. My first job in California was making salads and sandwiches at 20th Century Fox, I did this for about 2 years but I never gave up on my goal, and that was to work for Disney. I drew every day at the park or wherever I was to polish my drawings and get more action into my drawings. Eric Larson - one of Disney's Nine Old Men saw my stuff and told me of Cal Arts School built by Disney teaching animation. After 3 tries I was accepted and headed to Cal Arts for 4 years to polish my skills.It was hard work but I enjoyed every minute of it. It's great being around students who all share the same goals.. Disney or just animation. After I graduated Disney was not hiring so I found work elsewhere I worked on such shows as Real Ghostbusters, KissyFur, Littles, Dennis, Get Along Gang and ALF. It was a great time but it wasn't where I wanted to be. This before Disney had Disney Afternoon but when it arrived on the scene I was there. Winnie the Pooh, Rescue Rangers, Darkwing, Tail Spin and the fun goes on. Keep being creative and keep drawing.
Kenny Thompkins
You can check out Kenny on the IMDB here.
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