ARTIST SIGNING EVENT WITH CRAIG FRASER And JOEY NILGES

Craig Fraser has been painting professionally since the early 80’s. Earning multiple degrees in Aeronautical Engineering, Computer Science, Music and Architecture, Craig finished up his schooling in Florence, Italy and returned to the US in 1992. While most of his work was on wall murals, kustom vehicles and guitars, he started exhibiting his canvas art in galleries in the late 90’s. A licensed artist for both Disney and Lucasfilm LTD, Craig enjoys altering his techniques between mixed-media airbrush and traditional brushwork. Craig’s work varies in style from representational cartoonism to photo realism. Some of Craig’s previous clients include Guy Fieri, The Raiders/Alegiant Stadium, Caesar’s Entertainment, Fender Guitars, Ford, Microsoft and Amazon. He splits his time between fineart, automotive painting and hosting his live YouTube/Facebook podcast, “This May end Badly”, where he interviews other Creative Entrepreneurs. You can currently view Craig Fraser’s work at the Lewis Galleries, Disneyana (and other Disney Park  Galleries).Craig is also the Creative Director at Daniels Woodland.

Joey Nilges  was born and raised in Southern California. He’s had a passion and love for storytelling and animation since he
was very young. He pursued his dream to work in animation, attending Cal Arts from 1995 to 1998. At the end of his first year at Cal Arts Joey landed a job as a character artist on “The Simpsons”. He worked as an animator on the popular TV show for over 7 years. It was during the later part of this period that Joey became very interested in animatronics and the idea of bringing his animation into the dimensional, tangible world.

In late 2003, Joey transitioned out of TV animation and into the world of live action special effects. He worked in various roles and
disciplines, expanding his overall knowledge of the art form of animatronics. In early 2007 Joey joined the WDI animation and show
programming team. Over the next 14 years he designed and animated many memorable, impressive animatronic figures in Disney parks all around the world. Joey is currently working with a larger team to push the abilities of audio animatronic figures further and creatively and technologically.