Remembering Roger Allers 1947-2026

Roger Allers by John Mueller

I was lucky enough to work with Roger Allers on two of the films he co-directed: Lion King and Open Season. Both movies were challenging projects with very high standards - and consequently high expectations of the artists who worked on them.  Despite these challenges both films were a great experience for me - made better by working under Roger Allers' direction.

There is a reason that so many in our community will miss Roger Allers so much.  He was not just a very talented artist who expected a great deal from those who he worked with, but he also managed to do this without ever being unkind or mean-spirited.  

John Watkiss 1961 - 2017

John Watkiss 1961-2017

The brilliant John Watkiss has died, taken by cancer at the much-too-young age of 55. 

I first met John when I was just 16, when I used to tag along with my sketchpad at the life drawing classes that he taught at my Dad's old studio in Soho Square, and later at "The Diorama" Arts Centre in Regent's Park.

John wouldn't just tell you how to improve your work - he would sit down and show you how to make it better.  Anyone who attended his class took home his drawings - on the corner of the page, mocking your own unskilled efforts, and encouraging you to do better.

At the time I thought all art teachers did this. It was only later that I found out how few teachers have the confidence and ability to personally correct their students' work. John knew he was better than the rest of us put together, and he didn't hesitate to show you where you had gone wrong.