I’ve been in the animation industry over 30 years now but my capacity for creative exploration and expression started much earlier. As a kid growing up on a small farm in rural Southern Ontario, when I wasn’t doing chores, taking care of our animals or exploring the surrounding forests and ponds, I spent a lot of time watching and doodling cartoons. 

 

As a young adult , I convinced myself that art was a hobby and what I needed to be was a successful business man so I was accepted to Wilfrid Laurier University for economics. But even during this time, my creativity abounded, painting murals at pubs, designing t-shirts , crafting promotional posters, and doodling personalized greeting cards for my family. 

 

It was at university, during a panic attack about not loving business, that a university guidance counselor helped me realize that my passion was not economics, it was art. Specifically, I loved to draw cartoons. 

 

Because I’m not a quitter, I graduated with my Bachelor’s of Economics but immediately turned around and enrolled in Algonquin College’s Animation Diploma program. I had finally found my calling! During the summer after first year I was recruited by Lacewood Studios in Ottawa to do animation posing for their show Problem Child. Upon graduating I was immediately offered a job at Lacewood and my animation career began. 

 

Since then, I have worn many different hats, gaining experience and knowledge as a traditional animator, designer, layout artist, concept artist, storyboard artist(over 150 episodes), head of story, assistant director and director(200 episodes so far). I firmly believe that what makes me a good director is that I have worn all these hats. I have a core understanding and appreciation of every department involved in making cartoons. It helps me tell stories in a way that fulfills the creative vision of the client while maximizing the capabilities of my crew and the schedule. 

 

What do I love most about my journey so far? I’m creating cartoons that children love to watch, just like the ones that I loved when I was a kid. Perhaps one of them will want to make cartoons when they grow up! 

 

I can’t wait to see where the next creative adventure takes me….