"Why? (Animated)" by Richard F. Yates

I'm a fan of "limited" animation. You might see it during the holidays with some jumping reindeer or on a neon sign or in the old Cartoon Network show, SPACE GHOST COAST TO COAST.

I see it as a punk thing. Instead of slick, commercial, perfectly smooth animation, I like the jerky, halting, stilted movements of a weird monster tromping into frame---and then eating everyone! (Have you ever seen BAMBI MEETS GODZILLA???)

In this little micro-feature, I chose to take on the perennial question, "Why?" It's a simple question---one that might be asked of any number of actions, and one that I get rather often. (I showed a couple of friends a photo of my newest painting, the one I just finished yesterday, and I could see them wanting to ask... "Why?" But then, one of the friends asked herself the question, came up with an answer, and said, "You're weird." Her statement was an indirect answer to that burning question... "WHY?")

My answer, however, is more stoic. It's more in keeping with my spirit, my motivating force... "Why not?"

I make stuff because it makes me laugh. Maybe a few other folks can snicker a bit, too, thanks to me. The "Why?" is simple. "BECAUSE I WANTED TO." The "Why Not?" is probably, actually, a "Why THIS?"

And the answer is also, "BECAUSE I WANTED TO." It makes me laugh... It's FUN! There should definitely be more FUN in the world.

---Richard F. Yates (Holy Weirdo)