You are bidding on an original illustration by Kelly McNutt, created for the Cartoon Art Museum's third biennial Tribute Auction, The Rocketeer: A Tribute to Dave Stevens, featuring original art in homage to the late Dave Stevens and his beloved comic book character The Rocketeer. This beautiful pen and colored ink illustration with by Kelly McNutt measures 5" x 7" and was created exclusively for this auction. Also included is McNutt's preliminary illustration, a tight blue pencil drawing which he lightboxed when inking his contribution to the Cartoon Art Museum's auction. Kelly McNutt A man raised on Looney Tunes, Silly Symphonies and liverwurst sandwiches, Kelly McNutt couldn't have been anything other than an animator. Proud resident of that artistic hotbed of the midwest known as Minneapolis, MN, rarely complaining of the bitter cold or the oppressive humidity, McNutt brings old-school timing and sensibilities together with the newest and highly efficient production methods to create award-winning animation with character. Outside of animation, McNutt enjoys time with his two young daughters and his extremely understanding and loving wife on the lovely summer bays of Lake Minnetonka, voracious reading, working on their house, guitar playing, tinkering in the garage and looking for any excuse to wear his old-fashioned welding goggles.This all-star tribute has been launched with the support of Dave Stevens's sister, Jennifer Stevens-Bawcum, and The Rocketeer Trust, which oversees Stevens's archives and his creative legacy. To celebrate Stevens and The Rocketeer, the Cartoon Art Museum has invited several of our favorite cartoonists, animators, and illustrators to create new, original artwork inspired by the artistry of Dave Stevens. This artwork will be sold through an ongoing series of online auctions commencing on Memorial Day and running throughout the spring and summer months. The auction will support the Cartoon Art Museum's public programs and exhibitions, and twenty percent of the proceeds will be donated to The Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation in honor of Dave Stevens.The artwork created for this tribute auction will be displayed at the Cartoon Art Museum from late July through mid-September 2023, and will be followed by an exhibition of Dave Stevens's original artwork, courtesy of Jennifer Stevens-Bawcum and The Rocketeer Trust. "It is very exciting to have an exhibition at the Cartoon Art Museum honoring Dave’s art legacy, spanning from Saturday morning cartoon art to comic and pin-up art,” says Jennifer Stevens-Bawcum. “I appreciate the Museum's desire to pay tribute to his Rocketeer comic book creation with the auction and exhibition."The Rocketeer: A Tribute to Dave Stevens will include brand-new original artwork from many top cartoonists who have been inspired by Stevens and his artwork. Featured artists include Brent Anderson (Astro City, X-Men) Harry Bliss (The New Yorker), Gemma Correll (The Nib, City Island), Stuart Immonen (Superman), Patrick McDonnell (Mutts), Steve Purcell (Sam and Max, Pixar's BRAVE) , Ryan Sook (Legion of Superheroes) and more to be announced.New auction pieces will be added weekly throughout the spring and summer! Check here and follow the Cartoon Art Museum on Facebook and Twitter for previews of upcoming auction items!IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Cartoon Art Museum will publish a full color exhibition catalog collection all of the artwork created for this auction, and will present a public exhibition of the pieces from July through September 2023, before the recipients receive them. Proceeds from The Rocketeer: A Tribute to Dave Stevens will support the museum's programs and exhibitions. AUCTION ITEMS WILL BE SHIPPED IN OCTOBER 2023 AFTER THE EXHIBITION CLOSES.