How It All Started The seeds for doing a kids book with John Bush were sown many years ago when we worked together as a team in an ad agency.

Our best moments were spent freewheeling like 2 kids and ending up doing our best work in the process.

Meeting of minds, or ‘madness’, gave rise to those spontaneous, yet incisive interplay of copy and graphic expressions forming fresh connections with consumers – in this case young readers and parents.

I have subsequently done many creative projects that requires a similar ‘open spirited’ approach. They ranged from kids educational puzzles and illustrations for South African Lore and Legends to symbolizes playful corporate motivational programs etc.

The many dimensions and freeform mindset presented by the story rhymes in “The Roo from Woolloomooloo” was an irresistible challenge, once John shared it with me.

I have always been inspired by the unburdened imagination, or fresh worldview portrayed or expressed by children as well as by the simple, engaging drawings and paintings of the SAN or Aboriginal people. Presented with a dream scenario, a Roo in disguise and a journey beyond your wildest imaginings , you simple have to hop on and share the ride.

Approach/ philosophy with regard to image making

I believe the act of image making is in itself a process of discovery, physically, intellectually and spiritually.

I like to do my initial exploration of subject matter, form and composition, using charcoal, which allows for maximum flexibility in terms of evolving thoughts, concepts, graphic marks and spur of the moment changes.

This entire ritual or process of exploration and re-discovery is liberating and counterbalances the exacting discipline of designing and illustrating a postage stamp – of which I have done a number of issues. The subject matter of the postage stamps and first day covers ranged from succulents (S.A. Definitive series), steam locomotives, Volvo 60 yachts, 100th Anniversary of Flight, through a host of other issues, including mini sheet designs on endangered species, featuring the swordfish as well as a sheet of 10 stamps showing South African Spiders in their natural habitat.

As a painter, my canvasses and drawings are evolving from representative subject matter to a symbolic exploration of man/animal/universe inter-relationships. In short, the whole issue of time and all the symbols, myths and monuments we as human beings built in order to make sense of our role with regard to this water planet we timeshare with other forms of life.

I derive a lot of fulfillment from exploring organic shapes, the human form and geological phenomena and hope that personal discoveries or revelations will resonate with fellow beings. After all, the passage of time leaves its mark on shapes in nature, forms perceptions and human thinking or relationships with each other and the Universe.

Exploring and uncovering, or dramatizing meaningful moments makes ones journey so much more rewarding. Ultimately, the unfettered and unburdened playful or free form mind of a kid is the key to refreshing ones world view. No matter whether you achieve it through the delicate nature of water colours, or the layering and enriching process of working in pastels as well as the malleable, organic characteristics of oil paint and brush strokes on canvas.

I personally find that this random access approach defies the linear logic of the computer, which serves me mainly as a commercial design tool. Early on I discovered that my camera comes in rather handy as a tool for early exploration or a simple alternative way of collecting or ‘harvesting’ images.

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Bio

Graduated from the Michaelis School of Art UCT Cape Town.

I was appointed as the creative director of an advertising agency at 30 years of age. Strategic Planning Director for 2 years working on local as well as multi-national business. Executive Creative Director of multinational agency for 15 years.

• Developed various Corporate Identities including the identity for the World Zoo and Aquarium Association.
• Illustrated magazine articles as well as designing books for publishing houses.
• Developed illustrations for a number of of kids educational puzzles.

Draw and paint on an ongoing basis in most mediums eg. pencil, charcoal, watercolour, pastel oils, and acrylics. Exhibit and sell paintings.

I am currently a creative consultant in marketing communications/strategy, art direction, design and illustration as well as painting and work in electronic as well as tactile mediums.