Abrakadoodle ARTIST OF DISTINCTION

Book Illustrator – Korky Paul

The immensely creative, award-winning children’s book illustrator Korky Paul shares his special style and techniques with Abrakadoodle students through the Artists of Distinction program. Born in Zimbabwe, Korky enjoyed what he calls “a wild and privileged” childhood in the African Bush veldt. He has been sketching cartoons since he was a young boy. He attended the Durban School of Art and has worked for advertising agencies, but his career’s focus has been in children’s book illustration.

The first book Korky illustrated was Winnie the Witch, which won the Children’s Book Award in 1987 and has been published in over 10 languages. He has since illustrated many more successful books for Oxford University Press, Random House, Penguin Books and other publishers. Three of Korky’s picture books have been adapted for CD-ROM: Dragon Poems, Winnie the Witch and The Fish Who Could Wish, which won the coveted European Multi-Media Award (EMMA) in 1995. Korky has illustrated dozens of children’s books featuring animals, pirates and humorous themes. His artwork is displayed at the Mazza Collection Galleria, which is located in Findlay, Ohio. Korky, his wife and two children, reside in Oxford, Britain.

From Korky Paul, Students learn to draw from their imaginations. Korky believes parents should read with their children and draw with them from an early age. Children should be encouraged to produce their own drawings and not copy from books. Korky says, “Drawing is as unique and personal as one’s handwriting and if you draw what comes easily and naturally to you, rather than copying someone else’s style, you will find the art of drawing infinitely more pleasurable.”

Are you interested in learning more about our Abrakadoodle Artist of Distinction Korky Paul? Visit Korky's Website.