He was much more than a little green slab of clay

Gumby!
He was once a little green slab of clay.
Gumby!
You should see what Gumby can do today.
Gumby!
He can walk into any book, with his pony pal Pokey, too.
If you've got a heart then Gumby's a part of you.

In case you haven't heard, Art Clokey died Friday morning. Mr. Clokey created Gumby, one of my favorite childhood cartoons. His animation style had such an influence on me, I wanted to be a claymation animator for a while. In fact, for a seventh grade art project, I created a short claymation cartoon featuring a magician who pulled a rabbit out of his hat then turned the wand on himself to make himself disappear. One day I'll digitize that film and show it you. (Yes, I used old school 8mm film, which you edited by splicing the film apart and then taping it back together. Very awesome!)

Several years ago, I had the chance to meet Mr. Clokey in person because he was a friend of a friend. I was so nervous -- starstruck! -- that I couldn't find the courage to ask for a photo.

But I did bring my Gumby for him to sign.


My signed Gumby is a permanent fixture on my writing desk, leaning against the foreign editions of Thirteen Reasons Why, with his arm around the topper of my wedding cake.