Nelvana cofounder and animation maverick Clive Smith surprised the industry last week with his resignation from the toon studio he helped build with Michael Hirsh and Patrick Loubert.

‘It is sad to leave a company I have helped build, but I believe it is now a good time for me to pursue some of my own personal projects and interests,’ Smith said in a statement.

In his 30 years with the company, Smith served as a creative force behind dozens of successful TV series and specials, including the award-winning Care Bears, Pippi Longstocking, Babar, Rupert and the Gemini Award-nominated John Callahan’s QUADS!.

He also directed such animated feature films as Rock & Rule and Swedish classic Pippi Longstocking. Most recently he’s been developing the animated movie adaptation of Heidi.

He is also currently consulting on Nelvana’s anniversary book Nelvana: Thirty Animated Years, which will feature Smith’s drawing styles and a selection of images from many of his productions.

-www.nelvana.com