Last week saw the passing of perhaps the greatest animator to have ever lived, Richard Williams. It's very safe to say that pretty much every single artist on this site and many others had felt an influence from him in some form or another. For myself and many others, it was growing up in the 1980's and the incredible work he gifted us during that time. From the undeniably classic "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" (1988), to often-overlooked but rarely unappreciated hidden gems like the primetime Christmas special, "Ziggy's Gift" (1982) and the long-standing crown achievement of "The Thief & The Cobbler" (A film which, after a long and troubled production history, was released in four different versions. You'd be doing yourself an immense favor by watching The Recobbled Cut on YouTube.)

His teachings are, to this day, considered by almost all animators as diehard fundamental. His book, "The Animator's Survival Kit", is a sacred text that you find on the shelf of every artist's personal library. Even as the times and methods have modernized, most of what his knowledge had to offer was still considered priceless.

So while he finally has left the Studio that we call Life, turned off the lights on his way out, and finally started on the next great adventure, let's give thanks to a man who helped modernize animation, who allowed us to discover what a beautiful artform it truly has the potential to be. A man who may be gone now, but we can still feel the warmth of his soul in all of the rich work he blessed us with.

Thank you, Mr. Williams.