My Story
PAINTING
In 2000, I relocated from Arizona to Vancouver BC to Art Direct “Gulliver's Travels” a stereoscopic 3D animated feature at Mainframe. After my first contract at Mainframe finished, I made a solo trip to Haida Gwaii on the Suzuki DR650 I had brought over from Arizona. It was a memorable trip and gave me an insight into the beauty of the Pacific Northwest Coast. I knew I would never run out of inspiration in BC and that this was somewhere I could grow as an artist.
My commitment to painting, particularly from nature, has been constant through my animation career. The expressive nature of watercolour continues to fascinate me and allows me to explore new ideas and themes. It is a way of thinking and problem solving for me. I work in different mediums but I particularly enjoy a fluid, slightly unpredictable way of using paint whether it is watercolour, gouache or fluid acrylic. My paintings are often in response to a sense of impending change or at points of transition - a sense that life may not be the same tomorrow. Against a backdrop of ancient Coast Mountains and Temperate rainforest, I find endless opportunities to study and document the changing landscape around Squamish and the Sea to Sky area. I am exploring familiar places that have either changed by development, been abandoned or remain untouched by progress; places that are controversial, protected, endangered or that are simply breathtakingly beautiful.
I am an Active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and have been included in a number of their National juried shows. and an Associate member of Artists for Conservation.
ANIMATION
I graduated in 1982, with a degree in Fine arts and Illustration from Harrow College of Art (now University of Westminster), London England. After graduating, I worked for several years in London as a freelance illustrator producing images for book and editorial publication, design and advertising. During this period, I became interested in animation when I was hired by Canadian animator Richard Williams, whose many film credits include “Who framed Roger Rabbit” and “The thief and the Cobbler”. The enormous passion and artistry of this man made a lasting impression on me and I have been in the Animation Industry ever since!
For many years I lived a typically nomadic life, following new projects from Europe to North America and Canada, painting background scenery for animated films such as “Asterix in America”, “Anastasia” and “Titan AE”.
As Senior Art Director my work includes Visual Development, Art Direction and Production design for animated TV and film productions. In 2006, 2007 and 2008 I was the recipient of 3 ELAN (Electronic arts and Animation) awards for Art Direction and Production design in the animated TV show category.
I’m in the process of rebuilding my animation portfolio, but please download my resumé for more info and credits.
With Liz Scully, writer and Creative Director or of Zeke's Pad
TEACHING
Towards the end of High school I met my step Grandfather Charles Stuart Howieson, who balanced a career as an industrial engineer with painting oils and watercolours in his spare time. He became my biggest influence and teacher when he took me on painting trips around Yorkshire and showed me the basic principles of painting in watercolour. I began to see the world in terms of shape and colour and viewed my surroundings in a new positive light. Grampa gave me the tools and confidence to begin a career in the Arts.
I continued to learn design, concept and technical skills at Art School in London, but it’s been through years of practise, working in various creative industries with clients and artist peers that my style has developed.
In my classes I teach foundational skills and encourage self expression. Art is a visual language that belongs to us all as human beings. Much of what is taught can also be felt intuitively, but possessing a strong visual vocabulary will eventually allow the individual to express deeper, more unique and meaningful ideas.