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jbwarner86 — The Muppetmaster
Published: 2007-09-24 04:03:56 +0000 UTC; Views: 33851; Favourites: 592; Downloads: 376
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Description
A mere three days after my Chuck Jones tribute piece, I find that it's time to commemorate the birthday of another late legend in the entertainment world, the brilliant Jim Henson (1936-1990). For years, I was just a casual fan of Henson's work with the Muppets, but I've recently done some in-depth studying of his career, and the man truly was a creative genius. From mere foam rubber and fabric, he could bring life, wit, and personality. And his ideas were amazingly versatile - it's a far cry from the kid-friendly educational air of "Sesame Street" to the unhinged yet sophisticated showbiz stylings of "The Muppet Show" to the strange and upbeat underground world of "Fraggle Rock"...and, of course, the mystical fantasy of The Dark Crystal. And to think it all started with the goofy antics of "Sam and Friends".I couldn't ignore the lasting effect that Jim Henson has left on popular culture. Here's the man himself, surrounded by many of the excellent characters that he helped bring into our collective consciousness. Of course, he didn't perform them all, but without him, they wouldn't even exist.
(Through an amazing coincidence, September 24 is also the birthday of Steve Whitmire, the Muppeteer who took over the role of Kermit the Frog in 1990 after Henson's untimely death. The rainbow connection is stronger than it lets on...)
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Comments: 155
And Elmo, but nonetheless, it's an excellente picture!
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Elmo was not a main character in the 80's. It was after Jim's death that Elmo soon became uber-popular (to the point that he has his own segment on the show).
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Well, I usually have a thing against adding comments to things that already have more than one page of them (I feel that less-recognised works/artists need recognition more than ones that are already fairly popular) but in this case, I can't resist.
I, too, grew up on the Muppet Show and Sesame Street, and this picture is not only well done, but brings back many fond memories. I also remember seeing The Dark Crystal when I was a little kid and being somewhat freaked by it, and Labyrinth is one of my favourite movies. (Yes, you didn't include that, but I understand why--this picture is packed enough already!)
Anyway, kudos to a really great idea, well-executed.
...Notorious
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Jim Henson is practically a legend and has left quite a great legacy behind.
Although, yeah, its sad to know that the really good people don't live too long, at least remembering the joy they've given us is something to remember for the years to come.
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i love muppets, but i only share a brithday with George Lucas
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Your lack of Labryinth and the Storyteller disturbs me...
But it's still awesome
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Nice picture there, I like your tribute drawings,
will more be coming, there are so many pioneers of
the media that we lost over the last 25 yrs.
there are also so many who have been inspired by
the ledgens of the media.
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O.O THIS IS SO SUPERCALI-FREAKIN'AWESOME-EXPIALIDOCIOUS! 'Cept you forgot Elmo and his little 3rd-person self. And Baby Bear. And the Honkers. And Zoe and the other person. Oh, well! Maybe you just couldn't fit them on there...?
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Elmo wasn't in the show yet at the time of his death...that might explain a lot of character's.
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Actually, Elmo WAS on the show, but he was less annoying and didn't speak in third-person...or shall we say...third-Muppet.
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*GASP* this is my favourite show EVER 1i wiship to Jim Henson! he is so clever doing muppets wow! that was great tribute!
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Some of the most memorably characters ever created // We miss you Jim
-M
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I remember where I was when I heard the news that the great Jim Henson had passed. Having grown up on Sesame Street and the Muppet Show, I was pretty moved by his death.
I mean--he passed the same day as Sammy Davis, Jr. When they announced Sammy's death, I said, that's sad. When they followed with the news of Jim Hensons's death, my reaction was almost "OMFG!"
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Henson was great. It's such a shame that he had to die relatively young.
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If he were alive to see this, he'd dance his cares away!
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Worry's another day
Let the music play
Down at Fraggle Rock
on the most sensational, celebrational, Muppetational...Muppet Show, for can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street? XD
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Ah, Jim Henson. The bringer of smiles for years. Nice work. Wow, you even have Fraggle Rock on there. Cool.
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A nice commemoration to the legendary creator of the Muppets and like me, a Washington DC area native. He grew up in a Maryland suburb called Hyattsville and went to school in the city (if my memory serves me right). It's a little-known fact.
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Ah, Jim Henson, my greatest hero. I didn't know it was his birthday... Maybe I should actually get around to doing some of those Muppet drawings I've wanted to do forever. By the way, good work on sticking in the two Sam & Friends characters up top!
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Cool! So many Muppets and Sesame Street characters! This looks so awesome!
God bless Jim Henson!
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WOW! *__* You've got so many of them in there..!! THAT'S GREAT!! 
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Ho-lee-COW!!!! Jess, this piece is just remarkable!!! What a fantastic tribute to Jim Henson! Not only did you hit the mark on every count, but the way you envisioned each character from each historical Henson point in your own signature vision is just wonderful! I think your rendition of Jen, Kira and Fizzgig are my favorites. Not enough Muppet fan-artists try to tackle those guys, and you had the balls to go for it, successfully at that. If I had any complaint, it's that you've made me feel guilty for not having my own tribute to Jim set aside for today! I can't and won't go into he's affected my life personally, but it warms my heart to see that such talented artists as you feel the same and can convey it with such unique strokes and vision. Instant fave, Jess. You should be proud.
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Thank you, Jay! I had a feeling you'd get a kick out of it...
I actually am pretty proud of how I handled Jen, Kira, and Fizzigig - it was a challenge, since I woefully admit that I haven't actually seen The Dark Crystal yet. But I studied the movie's page on the Muppet Wiki (as well as your "Hoggle's Bar and Grille" drawing), and I think that they came out all right for my first try.
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I cannot encourage you strongly enough to go out and rent The Dark Crystal RIGHT NOW!!! If you have any questions, I'd be happy to counsel you! In fact, they just released a new edition DVD of DC that I need to buy asap! It's a very dark fairytale for Jim, even darker than his Storyteller series of the late 80's (though I recommend that as well). Anyway, it's my favorite. Just some food for thought!
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One of my friends is really into fantasy-themed movies, and she might have The Dark Crystal in her collection, come to think of it. I'll ask her next time I talk to her.
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Jumping Banana Boats! Dude, you seriously are the best at creating tributes. You've captured the personality in each and every character on one sheet of paper. Bravo to you ^__^
And this is speaking from a devoted fan who owns at least 10 Muppet videos and the entire Muppet Show: Series 1 on DVD.
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I saw "Puppet Up" not too long ago and was able to meet Brian Henson, Jim Henson's son, in person and get his autograph... god, they look alike...
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The Muppets truly are icons that transend age, era, and generation. I can barely think of any part of my life that they somehow didn't weasel their way into some part of my media diet.
Incidently I just got Dark Crystal on DVD a few weeks back, which I hadn't seen it since I was in elementry school. The one thing that stood out for me watching it now was the creativity in the puppetry, where each element never clashed with another nor did an effect or movement seem too unnatural to pull you out of the fantasy world they created. It's a lost skill that really needs to be brought back in lue of all the CG creations of today.
As well it goes without saying, Statler and Waldorf rule [link]
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I found something on YouTube that might be good to share
Part 1 [link]
Part 2 [link]
Part 3 [link]
Part 4 [link]
Part 5 [link]
Part 6 [link]
Part 7 [link]
Enjoy
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1986? God, that was the year I was born...
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Same here. Thank you MikeMedia for these videos. I have to show these to my mom tomarrow.
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I was born a year later
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Why do people as earnest, caring and passionate as him live so short and yet the jerks can practically live on radium and pig feces for years without any reprecussions?
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omigash omigash omigash omigash MUPPETS!!!!! XDD You drew them ALL so freakin' cute and expressive! HAHA You really captured that zany muppetness of each of the individual characters. I really love your character collages. And this is such a wonderful tribute!
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That brought back a lot of good memories. Thanks man, I really need that. ( don't mind me I'm going through some bad stuff now. )
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One of the few things that make me proud of my home state is that we educated this creative genius. Jim, you are greatly missed.
Nicely done. The characters really do look good in your style.
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Man, I miss Jim Henson. I remember when I was a little 7-year-old kid trying to fall asleep at night, and my dad came in and told me "Ernie" had died. He must have just heard it on the evening news and was trying to find a way to tell me.
Kermit (and Rizzo) are two of my favorite Muppets.
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Well done. I think he would be pleased with your tribute.
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I love how the Muppets look in your style. Fantastic!
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I find Jim Henson a genius too
Nice job
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