Welcome to The Project!
Meet Our Artists
Welcome to our artist page! Here you'll find the profiles of the talented artists whose art we feature on our website, along with their respective biographies. Get to know the artists behind these beautiful pieces and discover their unique stories.
Our Artists
The Animadverto Project includes a section dedicated to providing general information about the artists featured on this platform. This is intended to give context to the individuals whose work is part of the collection.
John Alvin (1948–2008) – The Visionary of Cinematic Art
John Alvin was a master of cinematic artistry whose work defined the visual identity of over 135 films through his iconic movie posters. Born in Hyannis, Massachusetts, he pursued formal training at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, where his talent in entertainment marketing quickly set him apart. Alvin possessed a rare ability to distill the heart of a film into a single, evocative image, making his posters instantly recognizable and deeply nostalgic for moviegoers.
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Throughout his career, Alvin worked on legendary titles such as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Blade Runner, The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast, among many others. His work transcended mere advertising—it was fine art, capturing the soul of the stories that shaped generations. His partnership with his wife, Andrea Alvin, further cemented his legacy, as they collaborated on numerous projects throughout their shared artistic journey.
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Alvin’s contributions to visual storytelling left an enduring impact on both the film industry and contemporary art. His ability to translate emotion and narrative into a single image continues to inspire generations of illustrators and designers, proving that great art is just as unforgettable as the films themselves.
Dick Duerrstein
A lifelong lover of animation, Dick Duerrstein channeled his passion into a distinguished career that blended commercial illustration with contemporary fine art. After graduating from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, he joined Disney in 1976, where he worked as the creative director for the company’s consumer products division. His work in merchandise design spanned everything from album covers to fine collectibles, leaving an indelible mark on Disney’s visual brand.
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Later in his career, Duerrstein transitioned to fine art, embracing a bold, expressive style that paid homage to the animated characters that inspired him. His vibrant interpretations of Looney Tunes and other beloved figures carry a sense of nostalgia while reflecting his deep appreciation for the art of animation. Through his work, Duerrstein continues to celebrate the playful, timeless nature of animated storytelling.
Andrea Alvin – A Life in Design and Fine Art
Andrea Alvin has spent her career bridging the worlds of commercial design and fine art. Born in 1947 in Fresno, California, she attended the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, where she earned a degree in Advertising Design. She began her career in animation, working as a layout artist and designer for commercial film production studios, contributing to numerous national campaigns.
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In 2003, Alvin moved to New York’s Hudson Valley to dedicate herself entirely to fine art, refining a style that blends photorealism with a warm, nostalgic sensibility. Her work, often depicting classic Americana, has been exhibited throughout the U.S., capturing the sentimental beauty of everyday life. As the wife and longtime creative partner of John Alvin, she continues to influence and shape the world of visual storytelling.
Salvador Dalí (1904–1989) – The Surrealist Visionary
A defining figure of the 20th-century art world, Salvador Dalí remains one of the most celebrated surrealists of all time. Born in Spain, he was an artist, filmmaker, writer, and provocateur whose influence extended across multiple disciplines, from painting and sculpture to cinema and fashion. His work, deeply rooted in surrealism, dadaism, and cubism, drew inspiration from classical techniques and the evolving scientific discoveries of his time.
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Dalí’s collaborations with prominent filmmakers, including Walt Disney and Alfred Hitchcock, showcased his ability to merge fine art with popular culture. His venture into animation with Disney led to the creation of Destino, a surreal masterpiece that epitomized his dreamlike storytelling. The works featured in our collection stem from this collaboration, offering a glimpse into Dalí’s boundary-pushing artistic mind.
Bob Elias (1950–2018) – From Sign Painter to Disney Artist
Bob Elias’ journey as an artist was rooted in craftsmanship and dedication. As a child, he spent hours immersed in cartoons, fostering a love for character design that carried into his professional career. After high school, he entered the commercial sign industry, becoming a master sign painter whose crisp brushstrokes could be seen throughout San Francisco.
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In 2005, Elias was given the opportunity to submit work to Disney, leading to his role as one of Disney’s Featured Artists. His paintings brought beloved characters to life with a distinct, hand-crafted quality, blending traditional artistry with contemporary animation influences. Until his passing in 2018, Elias remained a passionate artist, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to the craft of visual storytelling.
Mike Kungl – 21st Century Art Deco
With a background in graphic design and a career spanning advertising and fine art, Mike Kungl has carved out a unique space in contemporary illustration. After graduating from Spokane Falls College of Art, he built a successful career in commercial design, crafting award-winning logos and packaging for major brands.
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In 2006, he was selected as an official artist for the Disney Fine Art Program, where he developed his signature style—what he calls 21st Century Art Deco. His bold, streamlined compositions, inspired by classic mid-century design, bring a sense of timeless glamour to his work. Regularly featured in magazines, instructional books, and television programs, Kungl’s art continues to captivate collectors and animation enthusiasts alike.
Leigh Rubin
Leigh Rubin has made his mark on the world of cartooning through his witty and offbeat humor. In 1978, he launched his own greeting card company, Rubes Publications, featuring early iterations of what would become his signature comic strip, Rubes. The single-panel cartoon, known for its clever and absurdist take on everyday life, has since been syndicated in newspapers worldwide.
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Rubin has authored over twenty books, with his work appearing in television, film, and advertisements. Beyond his work as an artist, he has become an influential educator in the fields of art and design. In 2018, he was appointed the first Cartoonist-in-Residence at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he continues to inspire the next generation of illustrators.
Stuart Ellis – Concept Art in Gaming
As a lead concept artist at People Can Fly, Stuart Ellis has helped shape the visual worlds of some of the most influential video games in modern history. People Can Fly, originally founded in 2002, later became part of Epic Games Poland, contributing to the evolution of interactive storytelling.
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Ellis specializes in character and creature design, bringing life to fantastical worlds through detailed concept art. His work in Mortal Kombat reflects the intricate process of visual world-building, where artists collaborate to design dynamic characters that become icons in gaming history. His contributions to the industry continue to push the boundaries of interactive entertainment.
Marcel Van Vuuren – Bringing Worlds to Life
Marcel Van Vuuren is a freelance concept designer whose work spans character, prop, and environmental design. Collaborating with major studios, he has contributed to some of the most visually compelling video games of recent years. His involvement with Mortal Kombat in partnership with Atomhawk showcases his ability to bring detailed, atmospheric world-building to life.
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Atomhawk serves as a creative bridge between game studios and artists, ensuring that games not only tell engaging stories but also provide visually immersive experiences. Van Vuuren’s work exemplifies the collaborative nature of video game design, where concept art serves as the foundation for the rich universes players explore.
Chris Scardino – Blurring the Lines Between Fine Art and Design
California-based artist Chris Scardino is known for his diverse creative pursuits, spanning painting, illustration, design, and large-scale murals. A graduate of the Laguna College of Art and Design, where he earned a Summa Cum Laude Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Scardino’s work has evolved from figurative studies to a dynamic interplay of abstraction and nature.
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Drawing inspiration from natural landscapes and geometric forms, Scardino often integrates unconventional materials such as maps, reclaimed wood, steel, and wall compounds into his art. His work challenges traditional fine art boundaries, offering a fresh and contemporary take on visual storytelling.
Volker Kühn (1948–2023) – The Architect of Whimsical Worlds
Volker Kühn was a visionary German artist whose meticulously crafted Art in Boxes redefined contemporary object art. Born in Neuenkirchen, Kühn studied sculpture at the Bremen Academy of Arts, where his early explorations in kinetic light objects earned him exhibitions at the Leopold-Hoesch-Museum in Düren and the Kunstverein Unna.
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By the mid-1970s, Kühn shifted his focus toward printmaking, developing miniature etchings that captivated audiences with their intricate detail. However, it was in 1986 that he found his true artistic signature—three-dimensional compositions encased in shadow boxes. Dubbed Small Worlds, these scenes transform everyday moments into imaginative, thought-provoking vignettes, blending humor, philosophy, and social commentary.
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Kühn’s work invites viewers into surreal yet familiar environments, where playful figures interact with meticulously arranged objects, often reflecting themes of ambition, leisure, and the pursuit of happiness. His ability to merge technical precision with conceptual depth set him apart, making his work a staple in galleries worldwide.
Until his passing in 2023, Kühn remained devoted to his craft, continuously creating miniature universes that remind us to find joy in the small moments of life. His Art in Boxes remains a testament to his boundless creativity and his unique ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.