Updated March 14: This year’s Artists Help Japan Auction has ended. This third annual auction had five exclusive items up for bidding which raised just about $1,600 for Peace Winds America. Congratulations to artist Dice Tsutsumi on this great accomplishment and we look forward to next year’s Artists Help Japan auction. Additionally, links to the eBay auctions have been removed as they are no longer active.
For the last several years, Pixar artist Dice Tsutsumi has continued to support victims of the earthquake that greatly impacted Japan three years ago through his series of eBay auctions that raise money and awareness for Artists Help Japan.
Last year, we posted previews of the outstanding auctions offered (including an amazing Brave crew blanket we won last year and a Cars jacket that we won two years ago). This year’s auctions are once again packed with one-of-a-kind original artwork as well as an exclusive Monsters University crew gift which rivals the exclusivity of many of the previous auctions to date.
Below is a collection of some (and certainly not all) of the items that are available for auction.
The Monsters University piece (ending in just a few hours) is a Limited Edition print (this is #1 of 1250) and was only given to Pixar employees in 2013. The auction also comes with an original sketch by Dice Tsutsumi of Mike and Sulley which was an early sketch Dice created prior to the illustrations printed for the crew gift. Not only is the crew gift an amazing piece to have but to have an original piece of art from Dice himself, now that is invaluable to Pixar fans. In fact, Dice’s work at the Monsters U charity screening of young Mike Wazowski even inspired us to create our own original piece, so you can bet we’ll be placing a bid or two on this piece.
Dice Tsutsumi’s original (and beautiful) watercolor painting on a moleskin sketchbook is another item that is up for bid currently. We had originally seen this amazing watercolor when Dice posted it to his Facebook page a few months back and we were instantly taken with the beauty and feel that he masterly portrays in his work.
Below is some additional information regarding the Artists Help Japan Mission:
On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck Japan, the most powerful know earthquake to ever hit the country. The shock caused extensive flooding, fires, infrastructure damage and multiple nuclear accidents. It has become the most expensive natural disaster in world history.
3-years later, we are reminded much progress has been made but there is still much work to be done.
Artists Help Japan is a charity movement initiated by Dice Tsutsumi, an art director at Pixar Animation Studios. Artists Help Japan will host an exclusive auction on eBay, of original artwork, extremely rare memorabilia, and autographed gifts.
100% of the proceeds will be donated to Peace Winds America, one of the most effective NGOs in japan. It is responding to the immediate needs of survivors as well as short-term to long-term recovery projects undertaken by the affected communities in Japan.
We believe that artists have a special role, and responsibility, to contribute to the society, especially when in need. Please join us for this exciting auction.
Artists Help Japan – https://artistshelpjapan.blogspot.com/
Peace Winds America – https://peacewindsamerica.org/
Again, jealousy has hit me lol. You're Brave blanket and Cars jacket are just beyond cool. You guys have the coolest collection of rare Pixar items ever! I'll have to keep me eyes open next time this auction goes down for any really neat items.
Too bad you're not going to be in California this weekend…there's a benefit concert for the Philippine Typhoon Relief Fund in which Ricky Nierva will be live painting, Enrico Casarosa will be auctioning off an amazing La Luna watercolor and a ton more (including a performance by Chixar an all girls band of Pixar employees). You could fill up your collection for sure!!Details on the event are included on the event Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/events/609712892417085/