Heath McKenzie
Welcome to Creative Kids Tales, Heath McKenzie.
It is our great pleasure to welcome Heath McKenzie, bestselling author, illustrator and frequent tea drinker, to Creative Kids Tales.
During his career, Heath has worked for several publishers, magazines, advertising agencies and TV networks worldwide. He has illustrated picture books, chapter books and YA covers. He has also provided illustrations for comic books, advertising campaigns and newspapers including The Age.
His vast array of highly entertaining books include, What does Santa do when it’s not Christmas, I wanna be a pretty princess, This hungry dragon, A year with marmalade (written by Alison Reynolds), Goodnight Truck (written by Sally Odgers), the Mission Fox series (written by Justin D’Ath), Nerdy Ninjas (written by Shogun Whamhower), the Tinny Timmy series (written by Tim Cahill) and Do not open this book (written by Andy Lee).
Inspired by animation, Heath’s stunningly stylised, cartoony illustrations are captivating. Though he uses a digital drawing tablet he is able to fool his audience with vividly realistic imagery.
Working from his home in Melbourne, Heath’s beautifully restrained illustrations take shape in a very over crowded room, filled with books, toys and collectables from over the years. After his morning rituals of breakfast, taking the dog for a walk, showering and aimlessly roaming the internet, he begins his work, drawing dragons, sloths, zombies, unicorns, zombie unicorns, princesses, twozzlers, werewolves, flurps and footy heroes, amongst many other creepy and pretty creations.
Heath’s incredible talent for drawing stemmed from years of practicing his craft. He was often drawing or copying images from movie posters, 50s and 60s commercial art, Japanese signs and the Simpsons. As he refined his techniques his own exquisite style emerged.
An exceptional illustrator, Heath has recently turned to writing. His stories have been commended by those in the industry, making him a much sought-after author/illustrator.
Often found watching Dr Who, eating toasties (filled with leftovers from the fridge and cheese) and dreaming of vacationing with Alice, of Wonderland fame, we believe Heath will fit in perfectly with the Creative Kids Tales community. Welcome Heath!
Website: www.heathmck.com
Read CKT's July 2018 interview with Heath McKenzie
View some of Heath McKenzie's books: