Fraser Williamson

A note from Fraser:

If you are looking for a funkster dog with Moroccan slippers dancing to the sounds of its own guitar then Fraser Williamson is the man you are after.

He knows that when he pulls out a picture in front of a school group and they laugh his job is done and very satisfying .

He painted his way through school, university and life so far. Fraser paints pictures for exhibitions, children's books, milk bottles and TV.

Dreams play a big part in his work and he keeps a notebook next to his bed to capture flying, surfing, going into big tunnels and whatever appears at sleep time. Big hairdos, clarinet playing snakes and lots of palm trees are essential to a good illustrative result.

Fraser also has a near encyclopedic knowledge of medical conditions having done the 'How To Treat' section of the New Zealand Doctor magazine for over twenty years. Some of these however cannot be funny and require a certain sensitivity.
 

Fraser Williamson a.k.a Fraz is an artist/ illustrator whose work ranges from large illustrative soul paintings, which depict dream and spiritual life, to quirky children's books which try to amuse and entertain. Fraser wishes to portray characters and environments that allow for imagination and diversity.

Time spent in Tonga surfing and living with his wife Loisi's family is translated into many of his educational and trade books. He has worked for many publishing companies and has illustrated many stories and plays for Learning Media's School Journal. Fraser works on commercial projects as well. Anchor milk is one of the best known of these. Fraser says that he hopes that as children and adults look at his work they can find a place for their own imagination and eccentricity in a world that seems to increasingly worship conformity and 'right' thinking. Fraser’s work has been used by Storylines on their website and for the Storylines Festival.

Fraser has recently spent time in Spain which laid the foundation for and exhibition of paintings. He continues to divide his time between New Zealand, Spain and Tonga.

Selected bibliography:

• The White Horse text by Joy Cowley (Shortland Publications 1988).
• Guess What! text by Ron Bacon (Shortland Publications 1988).
• The Drought Maker text by Ron Bacon (Shortland Publications 1992).
• White Elephants and Yellow Jackets text by Derek Webb (Shortland Publications 1997).
• The Weather Spider: A Story from Tonga text by Mele Talahiva Fine (Learning Media 2000).
• Joke-orama: More Laughs Than You Can Shake a Stick At compiled by Geoff Young (Hodder Moa Beckett 2001).
• Pudding text by Joy Cowley (Scholastic 2001).  
• Storylines: The Anthology (Scholastic 2003).
• A Hairy Tale text by Kathy White [Kiwi Bites] (Puffin 2004).
• Brenda's Planetary Holiday text by Tina Shaw [Kiwi Bites] (Puffin 2006).
• Super Duper Pooper Scooper text by Susan Frame [Kiwi Bites] (Puffin 2007).
• Me and Jason Ballinger text by Sandy McKay [Kiwi Bites] (Puffin 2008).

Website:

• Red Shark