Exclusive Interview with Disney Artist Noah (Part 1)

Image courtesy of Noah Fine Art

Noah is an artist beloved by Disney fans around the globe. He is known for his creative and daring interpretations of Disney classics and portraits of Walt Disney. If you’ve seen the sepia-toned painting of the Storytellers Statue and Carthay Circle Theater artwork, then you’ve witnessed some of the most recent art from this amazing artist. While fans are in love with his work, there's much to know about the man behind the art as learned in our exclusive interview with Noah.

The Beginning
Noah has loved drawing and illustration since he was 4 years old. At 15, he started going door-to-door in Tustin, California on his bike asking neighbors if they needed a sign or illustration made. He called his company “Noah’s Art.”

After he graduated from high school, Noah devoted himself to his art and sharing it with other. In his early twenties, he lived above an industrial warehouse, working from 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. He was dedicated to getting his art seen. He went to coffee shops and did portraits, especially those of celebrity. Patrons recognized the famous subjects in his portraits and were taken by his work. 

From portraits at coffee shops, he moved on to art like murals in kids' rooms and art for clients like Nordstrom’s. At age 22, actor Craig T. Nelson gave Noah his big break when he asked him to paint his race car trailer. This was a huge opportunity for Noah. 

As he worked to get his talents noticed, Noah attempted to figure out his "thing," Cottages? Whales? Other artists had their known products and Noah decided he didn't want to be pinned down to just one thing, knowing he would get bored. 

Noah and Disney
Growing up near Disneyland in Orange County, Disney has always played an important role in his family. He remembers sitting on sitting on top of his roof during the summer and watching fireworks and going when it was $7.95 for admission.

“(Going to Disneyland) was life-changing,” says Noah. “It was a place you could go and completely get lost in escaping from the rest of the world. It transforms you and people just surrender to it. There’s an essence and a soul to the park. There’s no place like it on earth.”

About nine years ago, Noah got the opportunity to show his work to Disney. They loved it and he got to do six original paintings--all of which sold very quickly.

Getting to work with Disney was surreal for Noah. He was honored, excited and consumed by the responsibility. Noah remembers, “It was literally like Walt saying, ‘OK now kid, I’m going to give you a shot and I’m going to see what you do with this responsibility.’”

Image courtesy Noah Fine Art 

In 2011, Disney chose Noah as the Official Artist for the D23 Expo 2011 honoring the creative genius of Walt Disney, and then he was asked to create the art for the Storytellers Collection.

Buena Vista Street was just dirt and the Storytellers statue was incomplete when Noah was asked to create the Storytellers art. “It was probably one of the highest honors for me,” says Noah. “For merchandise, you have to start way out." Work began on the collection without knowing what the real-life finished product would look like.

Capturing the backstory of Walt arriving in Los Angeles was a tall order, even for a visionary and talented artist like Noah. “Storytellers was very special," says Noah. "It’s history. It’s Walt. It’s Mickey. It’s the beginning.”

Learn More About Noah
This article is part one in our exclusive two part series on Noah and his art. In part two of our exclusive interview you will have the opportunity to learn more about the Mavericks of Mayhem line, a hint about something coming soon for the ladies, where you can meet Noah, what his work as an artist with Disney means to him and much more. In the meantime, connect with Noah at his website and on Facebook, Twitter, and even YouTube.

You can also meet Noah in person, when he is at the Disneyana Shop on Main Street U.S.A. in Disneyland Park August 11, 2012 when he takes part in a special Artist Showcase from 9am to noon.  For more details, see the event page here.

You can read more from Randy on his blog, Faith and the Magic Kingdom. Find him on Twitter (@Belgarion42) and on Facebook. Randy is also an independent Travel Consultant affiliated with CruisingCo.com and MouseEarVacations.com and would love to help you with any of your travel needs, for Disney destinations and beyond!