An Italian-American native of New Jersey, I earned a BFA in Film and Television at New York University, and studied figure drawing at the Art Students' League of New York.
I have worked for three decades as an animation artist in television, film, and internet.
My style and approach have been influenced by mentors John Canemaker and the late Tissa David.
I have also spent time as a Benedictine monk.
Eugene Salandra
"I'm Not Ready To Be a Princess" from the pilot episode of Sofia the First was one of those rare sequences that just flowed from concept to screen effortlessly. Jamie Mitchell, my director, pitched it to me, I thumbnailed it (see thumbnails below) and storyboarded from these thumbnails. The final sequence remained remarkably true to the initial concept, and the entire sequence has a fresh quality and a flow that comes when all the proverbial stars are in alignment. (Copyright the Walt Disney Company)
(graphite, chalk, charcoal, and inks on paper, 1996-1998)