A cartoon character created in 1934 by Walt Disney and Dick Lundy. He is an anthropomorphic Pekin duck and temperamental friend of Mickey Mouse. Creator Walt Disney is from Chicago, Illinois.
Note: Donald Duck and the Oregon Duck college mascot are one and the same character. They just wear different clothes. The University of Oregon licenses Donald from Disney.
A Chicago-based American television host, best known for her self-titled talk show, which became the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011. The Oprah Winfrey Show concluded one month ago, on May 25, 2011.
I am in Chicago for the HOW Design Conference 2011 this week. This is the second of three Chicago-related characters.
A singer-songwriter and guitarist from Chicago, Illinois. He is best known as the frontman (and sole permanent member) of The Smashing Pumpkins. I think “The Aeroplane Flies High” might be my favorite Pumpkins song. This is the final character of my eight-day Music Week.
I am in Chicago for the HOW Design Conference 2011 this week. In celebration, two more Chicago-related characters are next.
The King of Pop was the most successful entertainer of all time, from his beginnings with The Jackson 5 to his solo career. His 8-bit outfit is based on the “Smooth Criminal” video. He died on this day in 2009 at age 50. His personal physician was charged with involuntary manslaughter. This is character #7 of my eight-day Music Week.
I am in Chicago for the HOW Design Conference 2011 this week.
A musician from Aberdeen, Washington. He is best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the grunge band Nirvana, which destroyed 1980s hair metal and put the Seattle music scene on the map. He became famous, married Courtney Love and died at age 27 (of apparent suicide, though some evidence points to the possibility of homicide). Also, where did you sleep last night? This is character #6 of my eight-day Music Week.
I am in Chicago for the HOW Design Conference 2011 starting today.
An English musician and actor who has created a number of alter egos for himself, such as Ziggy Stardust and The Thin White Duke. This 8-bit version of him is based on the cover of his 1973 album Aladdin Sane, which Bowie described as “Ziggy goes to America.” This is character #5 of my eight-day Music Week.
Jimi Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter. He is widely considered the greatest electric guitarist in music history. Jimi Hendrix died in London at age 27 from “barbiturate intoxication and inhalation of vomit.” Watch the original “All Along the Watchtower” music video. This is character #4 of my eight-day Music Week.
An English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame with The Beatles and later married Yoko Ono. Lennon was murdered in New York City in 1980. I have depicted him in his Abbey Road suit from 1969 (which recently sold for $46,000). This is character #3 of my eight-day Music Week. Yes, I work on this 8-bit character project eight days a week.
P.S. Happy Summer Solstice!
Charles Hardin Holley was an American singer-songwriter and influential pioneer of rock ‘n’ roll. He died in an airplane crash in Iowa at age 22, along with Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. February 3, 1959 is known as The Day the Music Died. Among his songs, “Everyday” might be my favorite. This is character #2 of my eight-day Music Week.
I am back in Iowa right now, not far from that 1959 plane crash site near Clear Lake. Also, the new Rave On Buddy Holly tribute album features some impressive cover artists.
The King is a cultural icon and one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. Elvis brought the sound of African-American music to a wider audience by interpreting black rhythm and blues. He died an overweight caricature of himself at age 42 and is buried at Graceland. Also, we’re caught in a trap.
Today I am starting Music Week. In addition to Elvis, the next seven 8-bit characters will be based on famous musicians. Happy Father’s Day!
A Chicago-based American film critic and screenwriter. Self-described on Twitter as a “film critic since time immemorial,” Ebert is the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. He helped inspire and reinforce my love of cinema. Equally inspiring is how Ebert has publicly handled his post-cancer surgery appearance. Two thumbs up for this guy.
I will be in Chicago for the HOW Design Conference 2011 next week.
A fictional character in Anthony Burgess’ novel A Clockwork Orange and the film adaptation by Stanley Kubrick. Alex DeLarge is a sociopath whose greatest pleasures are Beethoven and ultraviolence. He leads a gang of rebellious “droogs” to rob, rape and murder for their own amusement. Watch the first two minutes of the film.
Edward Teach was a notorious English pirate with a thick black beard who operated around the West Indies and the eastern coast of the American colonies. He was killed in 1718 after two legendary years of plundering.
To maintain the delicate balance of the Internet, I had to post a pirate today after yesterday’s 8-bit ninja character.
The Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom and legendary damsel in distress in Nintendo’s Mario series. She was always in another castle.
A Mexican-American labor leader who dedicated his life to social justice and used nonviolent methods to fight for the rights of migrant farm workers in the southwestern United States. He founded and led the first successful farm workers’ union in U.S. history. In 1994, Chávez was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.
I can’t help but think of Batman when I see the United Farm Workers logo (Aztec eagle) in 8-bit form. Oh well.
For Pentecost Sunday, here’s the pope. A native of Germany, Pope Benedict XVI is the 265th and current pope. His papacy began in 2005 following the death of Pope John Paul II. During his reign in Vatican City, he has restored the use of red leather papal shoes and other fancy papal fashions.
The elephant-headed Hindu deity is widely revered as the Remover of Obstacles and patron of the arts and sciences. He is associated with intellect, wisdom and writing. Like Vishnu, he has an extra set of arms.
A pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s. He also helped racially integrate country and pop music during the 1960s. He died on this day in 2004. “Georgia on My Mind” is one of his best.
Mickey Mouse – No. 124
An American cartoon character created in 1928 who has become an icon for the Walt Disney Company. The Mickey ears, they’re everywhere! Creator Walt Disney is from Chicago, Illinois.
Disney was referenced multiple times at the HOW Design Conference 2011 in Chicago during the past week. And I have finally returned to Oregon.