Harrison Ellenshaw - Artist

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DISNEY - THE ART OF HARRISON ELLENSHAW

Many sons growing up in the shadow of a famous father feel the need to carve out their own path. Such was the case for Harrison Ellenshaw, son of Disney Legend and master painter Peter Ellenshaw, who won an Oscar® for his visual effects work on *Mary Poppins* and received five Academy Award nominations throughout his career. "I had grown up fascinated by my father's painting," Harrison recalls. "He would sometimes give me canvas and paints. I even have photographs of my painting when I was just a small boy. My father's life was painting—he would bring his canvases into the kitchen during meals to study and critique his work. My mother wasn't always pleased, but she understood his passion. For me, though, this passion and his incredible talent were intimidating. I was convinced I could never live up to any of it."

Despite his early exposure to art, Harrison pursued a different path, earning a BA in psychology from Whittier College. However, in the early 1970s, the country was in a recession, and jobs were scarce. One day, during a car ride, his father offered an unexpected suggestion: "Just for the time being, if you're interested, the matte department at Disney is looking for apprentices." The department head, Alan Maley, had previously worked with Harrison's father and agreed to take him on. "We decided to give it six months," Harrison recalls.

Under Alan's mentorship, Harrison discovered a passion for film. "Growing up, I took being in a 'show business family' for granted. But Alan showed me what was so special about film—about matte paintings—how your work on a single shot could be integral to telling a story." After four years, Alan retired and recommended that Harrison take over as department head—a role typically requiring 12 years of experience. "The studio was hesitant, and I was scared to death," he admits. But with Alan's promise to return and help if needed, Harrison stepped into the role.

Harrison got his big break a few years later: a chance to work on *Star Wars*. "Fate smiled on me as it had for my father," he says humbly. His work was so well received that he was invited back for *The Empire Strikes Back*. By then, Harrison had established his name in the industry. He had no hesitation when collaborating with his father on Disney's *The Black Hole* in 1979. Afterward, he lent his distinctive touch to *Tron*, one of the most visually innovative films of its time and now a cult classic.