'Simpsons,' 'Futurama' Cartoonist Comes to Wyandotte

He’s had a long career in TV, working on The Simpsons and Futurama, but Bill Morrison said he’s anxious to pop back to his native Downriver.

The former Lincoln Park resident will be showcasing some of his most pop-ular art pieces during a meet-the-artist event from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at .

Morrison will be exhibiting some new, large-scale, original, acrylic paintings featuring Detroit-area musicians, including Alice Cooper, Kid Rock, Eminem, Suzie Quatro and Aretha Franklin.

The show will be displayed through July 16.

After graduating from the former Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, Morrison eventually moved to Los Angeles where he worked for Fox, Disney and Simpsons creator Matt Groening.

He was one of the original illustrators for The Simpsons and later was the art director for Futurama.

He co-founded Bongo Comics with Groening and drew the very first Simpsons comic.

And now, he’s unleashing a new art show, “Detroit Pop,” in Wyandotte.

According to his artist’s statement, everything about the show is centered around the Motor City.

“The idea for this show came to me about eight years ago while listening to an Alice Cooper song titled 'Detroit City' which has references to many of Detroit’s more famous rockers; Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, Eminem, Kid Rock, Iggy Pop, etc. Although, being a Detroit area native, I was fully aware of the rock ‘n’ roll history of the Motor City, this song really drove the point home and gave me a feeling akin to when the Wings win the Stanley Cup, or when you see scenes of Detroit in a movie or TV show and they’re NOT depicting squalor and poverty. That feeling is what’s known as good old American hometown pride, and it inspired me to start a series of portraits depicting the rock and pop music royalty of my favorite town.

"Somewhere along the way, I got the idea to juxtapose images of the artists with graphics from Detroit-based pop advertising (that’s pop as in soda). I ended up with a show featuring pop art depicting pop artists surrounded by pop graphics. What else could I call it but 'Detroit Pop?'

"I’m grateful to The River’s Edge Gallery for hosting this show, and I hope everyone who drops by to see it will be overcome with pride in the rich musical heritage of the Motor City.”