Lorelay Bove on The Princess and the Frog, Spain, and the ’50s

If you’ve kept up with my site, you’ll know that I’m a big fan of animation (see interviews with Hey Arnold! creator Craig Bartlett and composer Jim Lang). I’m also a big fan of history, so the history-making animated movie The Princess and the Frog was right up myalley. I was able to catch up with Lorelay Bové, a Disney visual development artist for Princess. I asked her about her influences and her experiences working on the movie.

When did your interest in art begin?
Since I was young I grew up painting and drawing next to my father, which is an artist as well.

I read that you grew up in Spain. How is Spain different than America?
I grew up in the north eastern part of Spain in the Pyrenees, Everything is so different, the quality of life, the culture, the food.  But one thing that was lacking there is the opportunity to do and to become whatever you want to be for a profession, and America had that.

Is there any difference between Spanish animation and American animation?

Yes.

What sensibilities does Spanish animation have that’s different than American animation, and vice versa?

I would say that American animation is highly focused on story and making that the core of the film, while in Spain (the higher production companies) are focused on the craft and the look.  But the industry in animation in Spain is really little compared to the one in America.

courtesy Lorelay Bové

Your art style seems reminiscent of illustration styles from the ’50s and ’60s. Do you regularly draw inspiration from those eras? If so, what about those eras inpires you?

Yes, I love that time period.  Since I was little my parents would show me Classic hollywood films, (dubbed in spanish) and I came to be very fond of them.  I love the style, the colors and the simple design.

What other influences are there in your art style?

Disney- I grew up with the classics.  Also I love painters like Miro, and Kandinski.

From searching on Blogger, I found that you have a sister (Nesya Bové). Did her interest in art begin the same way yours did?

Yes it was the same, except that she was more crafty than I was, she sew, she knitted, and she is more into graphics and fashion.

I also read that she works at Mattel as a designer. Did she, by any chance, get to work on the development of The Princess and the Frog dolls?

No, since she works in the graphics department for Barbie.

I read from your blog that you were an intern at Pixar. How was it?

I loved it there, I learned a lot in a short period of time, and the pople there are amazing and very energized.

courtesy Lorelay Bové

As a visual development artist for The Princess and the Frog, what/who was the most difficult thing/person to conceptualize?

The biggest challenge was to paint all of the backgrounds for Tiana’s Sequence, It was a lot of pressure to paint all of the final bg’s (backgrounds) that were going to be in the final film.

What/who was the easiest?

I would say the women dress designs, since it came a bit more natural, because I love fashion.

From the feedback I’ve seen about the movie, I think one of the top five favorite scenes for viewers is the “Almost There” sequence, particularly your illustration-style part. What did it feel like to see your artistic vision on the screen?

Well it actually was not my style it was in the style of The Harlem renaissance painters, like Aaron Douglas… And it took a team of artists to develop the design of the sequence, I was in charge of the color and Backgrounds, also I came up with the idea to make it  painterly, just like the paintings of AAron Douglas.  But it was wonderful to see it in the big screen, very fullfilling.

How do you feel about the movie?

I’m very proud to be able to be part of it, It looks beautiful, and the animation is wonderful. I wished that the story was a bit more daring.

At the risk of starting a flood of emails being sent to you, what is the best way fans can reach you?

through my blog

Any final thoughts?

I hope that everyone enjoys this film▪

Tags: animation, Blockbusters, Disney, entertainment, Movies, The Princess and the Frog