Who's who

Keywords

Illustration, Culture and Society; IIllustration: Theory, History, Context; Illustration: Process and Practice; Visual Communication; Drawing; Visual Language; Evolution and Palaeo Ecology; Science and Visual Arts Practice

Academic interests/teaching themes

I am an Illustrator, Writer and Academic. My present academic interests are research and authorship, research degree supervision and undergraduate dissertation supervision. I have also lectured throughout the United States and am a keynote speaker on the international stage. Teaching interests and specialisms include: Communication, Theory and Contextual Study Illustration Drawing and Visual Studies

Professional practice

I have taught in higher education since 1980 and directed the Illustration Programme at University College Falmouth between 1993 and 2010.

As course leader, I expanded and developed the original HND to become one of the most reputable undergraduate programmmes in illustration, with an international reputation for excellence, a distinguished alumni, recurrent and increasing level of demand and a continuous vindication from industry.

My directorship facilitated a non discriminatory approach to visual language and a multi- disciplinary curriculum for illustration. My philosophy is also exemplified by a delivery that underpins the currency of employability as a proactive element and is fully integrated throughout the syllabus.

Research interests

All of my research and authorship work is in the public domain, subjected to review and is in an international context. This includes book authorship, exhibitions, consultancy, papers, magazine/journal commentaries and web/live media.

There two distinct approaches: Research INTO illustration; its history, contemporary practice, disciplinary and contextual diversity, investigative and generative languages and processes. Research THROUGH illustration; an applied practice for the realisation of ideas and presentation of new knowledge - a major, themed and on-going project entitled 'The Origin of Life: A Visual Narrative'. This involves the creation and interpretation of original hypotheses related to elements of evolution and palaeo ecology with particular reference to the morphology and diversification of emergent organisms.

Collaborations include, Universities of Yale, Ghent, Warsaw, Cambridge, Birmingham, Leicester, Bristol and UCL. Case studies have been exhibited internationally and published in the journals Nature, Scientific American and Discover.

Industry background and links

I have been a professional illustrator since 1973 and have worked nationally and internationally across the media and communication industries notably publishing and advertising; London, New York and North America.

In publishing I have 122 works in 170 publications in 31 languages and in 10,260 library holdings. I have illustrated children's books, encyclopedias and new media literature. A series of non fiction books for children, commissioned by Time Warner, New York, were co-authored with award-winning science writer Marjorie Facklam. One of the books was recipient of a Texas Bluebonnet Masterlist Award for Children's Books. Another illustration was awarded Gold in the book category for the Society of Illustrators, Los Angeles.

I have been Chair, Regional Branch, Chartered Society of Designers and a Member of the Society of Illustrators, New York since 1998. I have established a roster of international contacts and close associations within the creative and media industries and public institutions; North America, Europe and London.

Recent outputs

• Book (as sole author): 'Illustration: A Theoretical and Contextual Perspective' AVA Academia. Published internationally as recommended textbook (translated into 30 languages); shortlisted for British Book Design and Production award. ISBN: 978-2940373-51-2 ISBN e-book: 2940373515
• Journal and Web: 'Extreme Makeover'. Consultative research project for Yale University. Major re-analysis of renowned 1940's imagery from the Peabody Museum of Natural History. Originally the definitive image and now subjected to my alternative analysis and enquiry. www.yalealumnimagazine.com/issues/2008_05/dinos.html
• Exhibit: Denver Botanic Gardens, Colorado, USA 'Jurassic Gardens: Evolution and Extinction' (Imagery as above)
• Journal Article: Varoom, The International Journal of the Association of Illustrators. 'China: The Final Frontier' Feb 2012 A major analysis and enquiry into contemporary visual communication in China.
• Journal Article: Varoom, The International Journal of the Association of Illustrators 'Research: The Future' Spring 2010 A commentary and prescription for research strategies and applications; audience - tutors of visual arts and communication.
• Exhibition: New York State Museum 'Focus on Nature' 10 and 11 (April - Sept, 2008 and 2010) Juried. Bi-annual international exhibition of the world's best contemporary cultural and scientific illustration. Comprises entries from 40+ countries.
• International Award: 'Jury Award, Focus on Nature 11' 2010 New York State Museum. Reviewed and evaluated by peers, scientists and cultural historians the original artworks are housed in the museum's permanent collection. Judged on research, academic and educational value, scientific accuracy, aesthetic achievement and technical quality. Third time granted award, also 2002 and 2006.
• Exhibition: Falmouth Art Gallery 'Species' Darwin 200 Exhibition, April - June 2009 By Invitation National and International Artists and Practitioners
• Journal and Web: 'Last Look: Yaleosaurus' Consultative Research Project for Yale University Major re-analysis and visual reconstruction of an Anchisaurid from the Jurassic.
• International Keynote Speaker: 'Research and the Future for Teaching Illustration', 9 October 2010 Society of Illustrators, New York Bi- Annual Education Symposium

Selected earlier outputs

• Consultancy: 'Miracle Earth', Episode 2 'On to the Land' NHK Japanese State Television Original visual reconstructions, 'Pederpes'; in collaboration with Cambridge University
• Paper and Journal: Birmingham University 'Palaeobiology and Environmemnts: Ecosystem Reconstruction of Middle Ordovician Harding Sandstone Forrmation'
• Journals: Series of journal articles for the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators (HQ, Smithsonian Institue, Washington DC) Published internationally

Current projects/forthcoming outputs

• Book (as sole author): 'Illustration: Meeting the Brief' Bloomsbury. To be published 2013 A detailed analysis of the intellectual, professional and creative processes of illustration practice. Advanced. Includes a chapter on research and authorship.
• Exhibition: New York State Museum, April 28 - Dec 31 2012 'Focus on Nature 12' Juried Bi-annual international exhibition of the world's best contemporary cultural and scientific illustration
• Major Research Project (on-going): 'The Origin of Life: A Visual Narrative' Current case studies include the visual reconstructions of fossilised fauna representing new and previously unknown invertebrate taxa from the early Ordovician geologic deposits of Morocco. Collaborations with Universities of Yale and Ghent. Possible exhibition scheduled for Yale University Art Gallery in 2014-15

Membership of learned societies/subject associations

• Fellow, Chartered Society of Designers, London (Elected through examination)
• Member, Society of Illustrators, New York (Elected through examination)
• Member, Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC
• Member, Royal College of Art Society, London

External examiner

• University of Lincoln
• Edinburgh College of Art

Supervision of research degrees

I am Director of Study (Lead supervisor) to two research (PhD) students:

• Katie Pamment, 2009-2012. Title: 'Illustration, Young Audiences and the Environment'
• Gemma Anderson, 2011 - to date. Title: 'Animal, Mineral, Vegetable and the Paradoxes of Classification: Drawing Natural History Holistically in 21st Century Art and Science

I am interested in supervising research based on any of the themes represented by the keywords.

Contact