HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICKEY

Mickey Mouse turned 86 Yesterday. I owe so much inspiration to this little mouse. I can remember growing up, one of the perks of visiting my grandparents house was that I knew they had the Disney Channel. I would take full advantage of this, soaking up as much Mickey Mouse as possible. There were also those few magical weeks every year when we'd get the Disney Channel for free. It really was like magic. Mickey Mouse was something for special occasions. He was a rarity in my household. I only went to Disneyland once in the first 25 years of my life. I wouldn't change any of it though. I think it just made the whole Disney aura so special and magical. It has definitely stuck with me throughout my life.Mickey's influence is obvious in my work as an artist. Now, as a father, the Disney Channel comes with your basic cable package and I get to watch it everyday with my son! Although, when he gets a little older and realizes what he's watching, maybe I'll just save the Disney Channel for special occasions."I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing – that it was all started by a mouse."— Walt Disney, Disneyland | October 27, 1954