Meet the Author/Artist: Gus Gordon

Gus Gordon is one of this year’s creators exhibiting at the annual Book Links StoryArts Exhibition held every year at the Richard Randal Art Studio, a glorious purpose built art space, set in the grounds of the  Mt Coot-Tha Botanical Gardens. This year’s theme is Behind the Picture Book. Dates are:  Friday 10 April – opening night 5pm – until Sunday 19

Gus Gordon grew up on a farm in northern NSW Australia and, after leaving school, worked on cattle stations all over the country before deciding to pursue a drawing career. Gus was asked to illustrate his first children’s book in 1996. He knew at once that this was where he wanted to be, knowing he had always had a child-like curiosity and love for stories.

He began his career illustrating books for others before a yearning to tell his own stories compelled him to try his hand at writing. He has since illustrated and/or written over 80 books for children and we are thrilled that he will be exhibiting his work at this year’s StoryArts Exhibition.

His illustrations are known for their loose and energetic line work, mixed media and humour; however, collage is the medium he is often recognised for. Much of his work contains old ephemeral paper items such as catalogue engravings, postcards, advertisements, receipts, stamps, theatre programs and maps, have a look at Herman and Rosie.

He is especially inspired by children’s drawings and their ability to tell story in an honest, uncomplicated fashion and feels that we as adults, are often too focussed on narrative structure and beautiful imagery, while the most crucial element, story, is left behind. Hear, hear! Find out more about him at his website, or come and meet him at the exhibition. Thank you for talking to StoryLinks, Gus.

When did you realise you wanted to be an artist? I have drawn ever since I could remember, but it wasn’t until I started studying the illustrations in books, and also the cartoons in the newspaper that I decided that I wanted to do the same. I was probably around 8 years old.

What were your favourite illustrations/illustrator as a child? Norman Lindsay was an early favourite. I was in awe of his The Magic Pudding illustrations. I also loved the illustrations of Beatrix Potter, E.H. Shepard, William Heath Robinson, and Arthur Rackham. Shortly afterwards I discovered George Booth, J.J. Sempe, Eric Carle, Quentin Blake, Ronald Searle, William Steig, Leigh Hobbs…

What do you see as your role when working with a writer on a picture book? Most of the time I am illustrating my own stories which quite different as the story, the words and pictures, have been flowing together for some time. When it comes to illustrating someone else’s text, my role is to add a layer of visual narrative that the text can’t offer but hints at. I never illustrate a text if the only thing my illustrations do is literally replicate, or mirror the story. I cannot see the point of illustrating a story that only adds a visual narrative value when you have the opportunity to really elevate a text.
When writing and illustrating your own work what comes first – words, images, characters? My stories always begin with the characters. Firstly, from many sketchbook drawings. The
characters seem to find their own stories, and the words begin to bind the images together. It’s a weird, organic toing and froing process.

What is your preferred medium to work in? I am a mixed media artist, but collage is my favourite medium. It’s the only medium that can add a completely separate narrative.

Where do you go when you need inspiration? Well, France seems to do it for me, but if I can’t go there, the ocean is a great place to bring stories to life.

How would you describe your art style? It’s always difficult to explain your own artistic style, but if I was to go on what others have said, I’d say whimsical, loose, energetic, fun.

Where and when and how do you work? I work in a little studio in my apartment in Brisbane. I generally try to stick to regular hours except for those occasions when a deadline has been abandoned and panic has set in. I still hand draw and paint everything, and then scan the images into the computer. Photoshop allows me to tinker with my illustrations and add the collage elements I need. As tempted as I am to draw and paint directly on to a screen, my love of the act of moving a wiggly line around the page, or pushing a watercolour wash over a lovely paper is too great to lose.

Is there an Iconic children’s work that you would like to Illustrate? Yes, I would love a chance to illustrate The Wind in the Willows one day.

Is/are there artist/s working today that you admire? Plenty! Serge Bloch, Leigh Hobbs, Jarvis, Benjamin Chaud, Zach O’Hora, Tor Freeman, Beatrice Alemagna, Blanca Gómez, Sydney Smith, Emma Adbåge, Isabelle Arenault, David Mackintosh, Delphine Durand, Victoria Krylov, Helen Stephens, Laura Carlin…

Can you tell us something about the pieces that you are going to exhibit at the Richard Randall Art Studio? Most of these prints are mixed media illustrations from my picture books Herman and Rosie, and Somewhere Else, with a few personal pieces as well.

Thank you, Gus for talking to StoryLinks. More information about Gus can be found on his webpage.

Gus’s artwork will be on sale at the exhibition so be sure to come and visit, you never know what treasures you may find.