Who or what made you want to become an illustrator?

Back when I worked in a studio as a graphic designer, I decided to take a course from a well known Toronto illustrator by the name of Will Davies.  Because of his art it inspired me to also want to become an illustrator. I loved drawing more than designing and after a couple of years I had a portfolio to start approaching companies. 

Where do you currently live and where did you grow up?

I grew up in Toronto and now live in Nova Scotia.

Was creativity part of your childhood?

I have been drawing most of my life and I must have been quite young when I first started to draw.

What was your first commission as a professional illustrator?

I created artwork for the studio that I was employed at, but my first true assignment was for Harlequin romance novels.  I had been assigned 6 book covers to illustrate for one of their series.

Do you offer more than one style, if so – talk us through the different approaches and the audience you are targeting for each.

A look at my online portfolio will show several styles that I have worked in. I'm quite versatile and these various styles represent what various clients have asked me to work in.  I use digital art when required and watercolour when it is chosen. 

Take us behind the scenes and describe your studio / workspace.

It is very difficult for me to have a favorite childrens book, I enjoy so many that I have collected over the years.

A typical day in my studio is spent drawing and painting, either for a project or for myself.

My studio has a large window, two easels, two book cases full of books, a drafting table and a computer. I also have a radio to keep me company or my I tunes.

Outline your dream project.

I would love to illustrate some of the classic stories from cover to cover or maybe a fantasy story. An adventure story would also be great to illustrate. I absolutely love Prehistoric animal subjects and I am quite knowlegable about the topic. I would love the opportunity to create my best work ever on any one of these.

Have you visited any schools to speak or hold workshops?

I have spoken at several schools and I also taught design and drawing at a college in Toronto. I did this for about 1 year until the full time instructor returned from a leave. It was fun working with the students and certainly lots of work.

What makes a good children’s book?

I think what makes a great children's book is when the artist is given freedom to create the images that still fall within the story's guidelines, but they are not overly directed. When I follow the instructions, but am permitted to create moving and strong images, both the author or publisher and I are rewarded with a wonderful end result that we all can be truly proud of.

How important is it for you to be part of a creative community of people?

I would love to be part of a creative community that are often in large cities, but there is not a lot of that in my area so my books on great illustrators and artist take the place of that.

What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?

I love sculpting dinosaurs and other types of characters and then I paint them. I enjoy walking my Golden Retriever called Emma to the pond and we walk around it then we may sit on a bench before returning home.

Which books from your own childhood really stand out?

One of my OCA teachers, Will Davies was my major influence. The Golden book of Dinosaurs has to stand out as a favorite.

Who or what has been your greatest mentor?

Will Davies a Toronto illustrator and Bernie Fuchs, another great illustrator.  Golden book of Dinosaurs is the first book.

Have you always loved to draw?

Yes, I have been drawing since I was about 6 years old.  I prefered this to playing with toys.

Did you attend art school or undertake any other formal artistic training?

I did attended courses at two art schools in Toronto, I also studied graphic design at one of them. 

What piece of software or hardware could you not live without and why?

I use Photoshop or Painter when it comes to software. But, when it comes to traditional mediums, I have used just about everything at one time or other.  Watercolour, Guache, Casien paint, Acrylics, Charcoal, Pencil, Coloured inks, Dr. Martin dyes and oil paint.

For my own paintings, I love the versatility of oil paint and how you can easily move it about, it's buttery and smooth and you can achieve so much with this medium.

Do you keep a sketch book?

Oil paint is my personal choice for my own artwork.  

I have many sketch books, I often take one with me when I'm out somewhere.

Which project has been most instrumental in developing your personal style?

My styles are quite varied as can be seen in my portfolio. That is mostly because I like working in the various methods. It often will depend on the project and possibly the clients wishes.  As I mentioned, when it comes to personal work, I use oil paint.

What do you do in your spare time?

I have explored many of my different techniques on assignment and therefore it is more or less up to the clients needs or direction. The average amount of time spent on a spread will depend greatly on the level of detail or the complexity of the project, but I can safely say that it is usually about 4 days from sketch to final artwork on a spread.   I love to get wrapped up in the scene I am depicting and hopefully the children will respond to the images. My spare time is spent usually painting for myself, I love the creative process.