Wonky’s Humble Beginnings, 'born' in New Zealand in 2009 ...
The Wonky Donkey was my first published book, and he began his visual life in a most modest way, having been 'born' in the humble surrounds of the small converted stable where I was living by the sea, in Christchurch, New Zealand, 2009.
Katz Cowley, Wonky’s Mum giving birth to Wonky
Having begun life as a song, written by Craig Smith, that was the form in which he came to me; a song and a sense ... of 'Wonky'.
Having been an unknown Illustrator in the publishing world, as I was, prior to this book, it was a risk for the publisher, Scholastic, to take me on with an also unknown author (Craig), so I lovingly produced and completed a large chunk of the character roughs AND the book roughs BEFORE I even knew I had the contract and was going to be the official illustrator!
So I was over the moon when I got the green light from Scholastic, confirming that they were going ahead with me!
“The Wonky Donkey” book cover by Katz Cowley.
“It was a pleasure to bring Wonky into the world; he has a spirit of his own that reminds us of our own strength, and to stand true in ourselves, no matter what life brings or throws at us, he reminds us that we are often stronger than we know”.
Katz Cowley is the Best Selling, Award-winning Illustrator of The Wonky Donkey and a passionate Creative Catalyst, facilitating workshops to reconnect people to their innate, authentic self-expression through drawing and related creatively juicy practices.