PETER ELLENSHAW
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Ellenshaw elevated the boundaries of special effects and the use of matte paintings to even greater heights in Walt Disney’s live-action fantasy Darby O’Gill and the Little People (1959). In addition to creating fanciful Irish locales (both realistic and imaginary), Ellenshaw helped perfect a split-focus technique, which helped to realistically marry the varying heights of the mortals and leprechauns. The film is made all the more amazing because all of it was shot on the backlot of the Disney Studios in California. |
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Other popular Disney films to receive Ellenshaw’s special attention in the 1950s included Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier (1955), Johnny Tremain (1957) and Old Yeller (1957). His Disney films of the 1960s include Pollyanna (1960), Swiss Family Robinson (1960), The Absent-Minded Professor (1961), In Search of the Castways (1962), The Gnome-Mobile (1967) and The Happiest Millionaire (1967).
In 1964, Ellenshaw won the Best Special Visual Effects Academy Award for his astounding matte work in Walt Disney’s beloved live-action musical-fantasy Mary Poppins. Not only did Ellenshaw create the beautiful vistas of Victorian London, he was also responsible for giving inspiration to the creation of the rousing rooftop dance of the chimney sweeps in the lively “Step in Time” sequence. Ellenshaw’s imprint continued to be seen in the Disney films of the 1970s including Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971), The Island at the Top of the World (1974), Pete’s Dragon (1977) and The Black Hole (1979). Ellenshaw received an Academy Award nomination for his impressive special effects work on The Black Hole, which proved to be his last Disney film project. In 1970, the Ellenshaws moved to the Ring of Kerry in Ireland and it was there that Ellenshaw created some of his most spectacular artwork: paintings of the rugged Irish coast and the beautiful landscapes of the Emerald Isle. His works were shown at a special exhibition at the American Embassy in Dublin. Today a number of his paintings can be seen in collections throughout Ireland including Adare Manor, Dromoland Castle, Waterville House and Ashford Castle. |
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Seascape Giclée on Canvas 16 x 30 |