TOTORO FOREST PROJECT

You may have heard rumors of an art movement called THE TOTORO FOREST PROJECT. I've been sworn to secrecy for a few months now, but the catbus is out of the bag. We, the artists, were asked to depict an original Totoro and tell its story. Above, you'll find i contributed two Totoros to the cause, URSALO and OTTORO. You can find their stories on pages 4 and 5 of the GALLERY section of the Totoro Forest Project site.

Totoro Forest Project is an international charity effort to preserve Sayama Forest, also known as Totoro Forest. This endangered sanctuary on the outskirts of Tokyo is where director Hayao Miyazaki got the inspiration for his much loved character “Totoro.” Over 200 top international artists from animation, illustration, and comics are donating artwork especially created for this cause.

On september 6th 2008 Pixar Animation Studios will be hosting an art auction event featuring all these fantastic pieces of art. All the proceeds of this fundraiser will benefit the Totoro Forest Foundation.

Please, if you can, donate to save this forest by either making a contribution, buying the art book when it becomes available, or attending the auction at Pixar and bidding on a piece of exceptional artwork. I'll be offering two pieces, both displayed here.