ChrisAyerspoppedoutontothisPlanetEarthsceneonaswelteringJulyafternoonin1975.Shortlythereafterhediscoveredagroovymagicwandmadeofwoodcalleda"pencil."Throughtrialanderror,andlotsofpractice,helearnedthattheseniftylittlethingsgavehimthemeanstounlocktheworldsofhisimaginationandgivethemvisualformonpaper.Duringtheseearlyformativeyearshisspongygraymattersoakedupasmuchasitcouldaboutthefascinatingworldaroundhim,especiallyinregardstotheanimalkingdom,dinosaurs,SesameStreet,StarWars,Disney,art,mythology,monstersinclosets,spaceships,RobinHood,RayHarryhausen,pirates,extra-terrestrialfriendsandfoes,JulesVerne,Dr.Seuss,BillPeet,comicbookheroesandvillains,animation,cartoons...Fast-forwardabouttwentyyearstothespringof2000.WithhisToyotaTercelliterallypackedtotheceiling,hedrovewestwardfromMinneapolistoLosAngeles.Hehadlongdreamtofsomedayworkinginthemoviesand,atage24,itseemedliketherighttimeinhislifetogiveitashot.FastforwardanothereightyearsandheisstilldrivingaToyotaTercelaroundthebustlingfreewaysoftheCityofAngels.Hisdreamofworkinginthefilmindustryhascometrue-andthensome.WorkingasacharacterdesignerandconceptartisthehasbeeninvolvedinsomechallengingandfunprojectssuchasMenInBlackII,FantasticFour,IncredibleHulkandTheSantaClause2.In2006,ontheone-yearanniversaryofhisdiagnosis,hestartedasketchbookcalledTheDailyZooandsetouttodrawoneanimaleachdayforayear.Hishope,inadditiontobeingchallengingandfun,wasthatitwouldhelphishealingprocessandgivehimafocusedopportunitytoappreciatethegiftofeachhealthyday.