This is a proactive project concept I created while working at Made by Radio. A cooking and organic veggie farming show hosted by Matty Matheson and kids. Where everyone’s welcome, messes are magic, and food is fun!
The concept is based on a high-energy, funny, heartfelt, inclusive Youtube series consisting of short videos with Matty and the Grubs in the veggie patch and kitchen - harvesting and making simple and easy dishes. The idea is to make it educational but loud and lovable - just like Matty’s shows but animated and for kids!
August 2025
No trip to Hanoi would be complete without a quick dash to Train Street. Built by the former French colonial rulers to transport goods and passengers across France's former Indochina colony (which remains operational today and run by Vietnam's state-run railway company) has now been transformed into a must-see hotspot among travellers in Hanoi. Imagine the old trains thundering between the houses and cafes and whizzing past curious visitors seeking some adrenaline rush. Imagine dozens of selfie-snapping visitors jostling for space with street vendors and local families doing daily house chores. Life is never boring here. The new tiger balm illustration is dedicated to celebrating Train Street, a place which is woven deeply into the cultural fabric of Hanoi.
The Tiger Balm art print series was launched as a result of a collaboration between Illustrator, Cella Marcy and the Vietnamese travel journalist, Nga Hoang. The series was born to pay tribute to the legendary Asian medicinal brand that almost every Asian kid grew up with. Upon its arrival in Vietnam, Tiger Balm and its iconic white tiger brand image is known as "Hoạt lạc cao". The collaboration is an attempt at reviving the heritage brand image of Tiger Balm. The series aims to represent the tiger as the symbol of the Asian power.
Prints are available in A4 sizes (framed or unframed) exclusively from Collective Memory
Mt Wave is a one man operated Sound Design and Music studio. Matthew is the man to call if you need the bells and whistles and the grooviest of tunes.
I felt very honoured to have been the tasked with the rebranding of Mt Wave for my friend and colleague Matthew Dickinson while working at Made by Radio. I added in some bits of my colleague Eduan Naude’s wonderful decorative sketches. The CD’s were Arno Visser, Byron Meiring and Willie Blignaut.
Click here to see the amazing 3D version modeled and animated by Adam Black and here and here to view the 2D animated ones also animated by Adam.
March 2023
Beer branding concept I made at Made by Radio for Pal Goods.
The rad wonky 3D cans were modeled by Adam Black.
CD: Arno Visser, Byron Meiring
October 2023
Trisha Delisha is part of a larger proactive series Illustrators and Animators are taking part in at Made by Radio.
Trisha is my contribution. She is a badass-muscle-machine with a whole lotta sass, ass and pizzazz!
CD: Arno Visser, Willie Blignaut, Byron Meiring
July 2023
The development of a Cupid character forming part of a short animation I illustrated for a Pharma Company’s (Injectafer) Valentines Day campaign. This was such a fun project to have come in at Made by Radio as we got to do 4 short humorous and fun animations in a variety of styles. The idea was that each Cupid would be too weak to fire his arrow and would hit the wrong targets.
CD: Byron Meiring, Arno Visser, Willie Blignaut and Art Direction by Gregory Darrol
January 2023
Reworked pitch work. The client wanted a cat mascot for their Loyalty Program. I ended up liking the one little cat character so much that I drew him some more.
CD: Arno Visser, Byron Meiring
Illustrated character gifs added to photos of flower shaped ceramics made by Hannah Massey of Han Ceramics for Pal Goods.
CD: Arno Visser, Byron Meiring, Willie Blignaut
August 2023
Monocle is a global affairs and lifestyle magazine, 24-hour radio station, website, retailer and media brand.
At Made by Radio we were given the wonderful opportunity to create an editorial style explainer animation video focused on welcoming patrons to become members of their smart, sharp little club.
I loved working on this project as Senior Illustrator along with my Illustration colleagues Eduan Naude and Schalk Pienaar, my animation colleagues Lebogang Sekwelenkwe, Thabo Mosia, Simon Kotze, William Pule, Creative Directors Arno Visser, Willie Blignaut, Byron Meiring and Producer Liezel Thebus.
December 2023
The Book Lounge ran a competition calling local Illustrators and Designers to create some art/design for merch. Mine got made into a tote! I love books and this iconic little indie bookstore in Cape Town so it was a no brainer for me when I considered taking part.
August 2023
The Laccadive Addiction is a apparel brand based on a lifestyle by the Laccadive Sea. Designed for the saltiest of sea creatures.
After spending some time in Sri Lanka and at The Doctor’s House, I got this great opportunity to create this range of shirt designs for the brand with the helpful eye and vision of the founder Michael Morehead.
Available online from here or at the surf store at The Doctor’s House in Madiha, Sri Lanka.
Dec 2022
Reworked Pitch work done at Made by Radio originally for a Cheese brand’s Easter Campaign.
CD: Arno Visser, Byron Meiring
June 2023
Style frames for a fun social post for Made by Radio
CD: Byron Meiring, Arno Visser, Willie Blignaut
Click here to view the groovy animation done by Willie Blignaut and Simon Kotze
December 2022
Some fun illustrations & designs I did for Mahe Swimwear'scurrent brand packaging.
Mahe Swimwear is a small batch pop-up store operating from Da Nang, Vietnam. With a tagline that reads 'For lovers of salt & skin', they pride themselves in helping YOU find the perfect swimwear that is guaranteed to make you feel like the glowing goddess you are.
January 2021
This addition to the Tiger balm series features vases of Asia, each representing a country as well as the twin Tiger balm tigers on a vase signifying unity and peace.
Along with the Asia is One Tiger balm print, separate prints of six vases, each representing an Asian country (Cambodia, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong) are also be available in sizes A4 & A3.
The Tiger Balm and vases of Asia series form part of another collaboration project between myself and travel writer and part owner of Collective Memory, Nga Hoang.
Contact Collective Memory to purchase a print!
January 2022
I originally illustrated this Gator Lady art print for the the guys at Ferral Life as part of their Ferral Art Wall competition. The competition was brought about to attract more attention to South Africa’s burgeoning illustration scene. The competition was run on Instagram and once a month a lucky winner would win an illustrator’s art print.
The Gator Lady was subsequently added to the Ferral life online website where a limited amount was available for purchase.
January 2021
This is the fourth Tiger Balm Art print in the collaboration art print series with Nga Hoang, travel journalist and co-owner of Collective Memory Vietnam. The collaboration is an attempt at reviving the heritage brand image of Tiger Balm. Nga Hoang offers ideas, culturally appropriate direction and feedback while I attempt to create a visual language through research and illustration.
In this art print two tiger balm tigers encircle the beautifully symmetrical Han Chinese-Vietnamese symbol called "Shou" which represents longevity. This symbol is visible almost everywhere in Vietnam from temples to communal houses. The tigers stand atop classic asian style clouds and the ‘forever calm with tiger balm’ text can be seen within an Emperor's notification letter holding device. The art print was inspired by vintage Asian posters as well as Asian temple wall plaques, relief work and tiling.
The art print is available exclusively from The Collective Memory shop in the French Quarter of Hanoi. Can’t make it to their shop? Contact them here for online purchase and shipping enquiries.
A book cover I illustrated and designed for the debut novel 'Hanoi Tales' (roughly translated) by Belarusian Writer and Entrepreneur, Tanya Pisarchuk.
In the book Pisarchuk shares her observations of the quirky everyday moments of life in Hanoi as a foreigner. She hopes it conveys her love and appreciation for a country that has been very welcoming and shown her immeasurable kindness.
August 2020
People of Hoi An illustration for a totebag series launched by my friends and good guys from the The Hangout - a tattoo and piercing parlour in Hoi An, Vietnam.
All profits of these bags went to Hearing and Beyond, an NGO that assists Deaf & Hard of Hearing children in Hội An.
August 2020
If you've ever spent some time in the countryside of Vietnam you'll notice how deeply rice cultivation is rooted in the Vietnamese psyche. You won't have to look very far to find rice farmers young and old in the rice paddies from 5.30 am in the mornings until 5.30 pm, sometimes even well into the night!
This art print celebrates the hardworking rice farmers of Vietnam. It is a wish for the backbone of this country to experience good fortune and longevity as their rice paddy companions - the cranes in the forefront symbolize.
Artprints now available at Collective Memory in Hanoi
December 2020
I illustrated these gals for the community driven initiative Bend & Flow
They aim to bring acceptance, movement and communities together. They plan on giving people the tools to connect with their bodies and understand these unique and beautiful vehicles that carry us through our everyday lives.
In Vietnam, there is no doubt that people are starting to become more aware of the fact that dogs can be a source of great companionship and emotional support, especially as the middle class in Vietnam is expanding.
In this art print I've tried to depict the playful, quirky and whimsical aspects of life in Vietnam (particularly Hoi an) with a dog. Displayed on the top left of the art print, a banner acts as a holding device for the word “tình bạn”, meaning friendship.
Half of the profit from each art print will be donated to PAWS for Compassion, a non-profit organisation dedicated to raising animal awareness by providing information and an educational program for Vietnamese children and improving the welfare of our animal companions through rehabilitation.
Printed on 250 GSM white textured Canson paper. Each print is stamped and numbered and available at Vesta Bookstore in Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
The third Tiger Balm art print in my collaboration project with Nga Hoang, travel journalist and part owner of Collective Memory Vietnam depicts the Tiger Balm tiger and a free spirited and independent Vietnamese lady wearing an all pink outfit and riding a skateboard weaving through the chaotic traffic of Vietnam.
In this collaboration project Nga Hoang offers ideas and feedback while I create a visual language through illustration for the Tiger Balm art prints.
The A4 size art print is available exclusively from The Collective Memory shop in the French Quarter of Hanoi. Can’t make it to their shop? Contact them here for online purchase and shipping enquiries.
October 2019
A commissioned piece for the tattoo, piercing and barber shop; The Hangout Hoi An’s Mid Autumn Full Moon Festival postcard series.
After brainstorming with the owners and tattoo artists of the shop, Luan Nguyen and Hoang Nguyen, we decided upon each illustrating a character from Vietnamese Mid-Autumn folktales. I was tasked with illustrating the border of each postcard in the vintage Asian poster style and chose the Lion Dance character, the Múa Lân as the character I would illustrate.
In the postcard, my Lion Dance Character is accompanied by Vietnamese festival flags, tattoo style smoke and a starry night sky in the background. In Vietnamese culture this character is believed to bring good luck, health and prosperity and is a symbol of power, wisdom and good fortune.
The postcards were used as marketing material leading up to and during the 2019 Mid Autumn Festival at The Hangout shop.
The second art print in the Tiger Balm collaboration project with Vietnamese travel journalist, Nga Hoang is inspired by the beautiful scenery of the Vietnamese town of Hoi An. Which incidentally is where I call home at the moment.
In this A4 art print one can see an elegant Vietnamese girl wearing traditional Vietnamese clothing, holding a lantern and walking in a calm manner on top of the iconic tiled roofs of the Ancient Town in Hoi An. There are a number of Tiger Balm tigers lurking on the rooftops with one in particular facing the Vietnamese girl.
The series was born to pay tribute to the legendary Asian medicinal brand that almost every Asian kid grew up with. The collaboration is an attempt at reviving the heritage brand image of Tiger Balm. The series aims to represent the tiger as the symbol of the Asian power whilst at the same time portraying the Vietnamese women as being free spirited and independent.
The art print is available exclusively from The Collective Memory shop in the French Quarter of Hanoi. Can’t make it to their shop? Contact them here for online purchase and shipping enquiries.
November 2019
During the festive season of 2018 I decided to attend a Christmas market and commit to making some Christmas themed items that were inspired by Hanoi and Vietnam in general. These were all printed locally.
My Christmas items included: Vietnam Transport Christmas Wrapping Paper in A1 size. Vietnam Transport Christmas Cards, Hanoi Christmas Postcards, packs of 10 Cheeky Bauble Tags and my Christmas themed story book set titled Hanoi, Christmas and Bakkies the Boston. The kids book set includes an A5 size storybook and an A4 size colouring and fill-in-yourself book. The book starts off with a bustling city getting ready for Christmas then moves on to the goings on in a little yellow house where Bakkies is found staring, fascinated at this big tree that has taken up the space where his bed used to be! Bakkies then continues to muse over what might be in the presents under the tree, which are of course (in his mind) all for him!
My fiancé and I had just gotten our Boston Terrier pup a month or so before I started this project. So you could say our pup, Bakkies The Boston was my muse and inspiration! I wanted the book set to keep kids entertained over Christmas and get them excited for Christmas. After having taught English to young ones a year earlier, I was excited to market the book set to teachers to use in class.
December 2018
Inspired by how a brand such as Tiger Balm seem to carry a deep sense of meaning and nostalgia for the people of Asia, I was intrigued to see how I could reimagine this cultural gem the Vietnamese ‘Hoat lac Cao’/Tiger Balm brand with it’s iconic white tiger.
Focusing at first on just the logo, I changed the style of the white tiger and the font of the word mark and posted it on my instagram. Shortly after posting it, Nga Hoang, a Vietnamese Travel Journalist and part owner of Collective Memory Vietnam approached me with an idea to launch an art print series for my Tiger Balm rebrand concept.
Nga Hoang offered ideas and feedback while I created a visual language through illustration for the Tiger Balm art prints. The one you can see here is the first A4 size art print of the series and was inspired by Vietnam’s abundance of forests and in particular the banana tree. The Vietnamese lady standing atop the tiger balm tiger is wearing a traditional Vietnamese dress and conical hat with an almost dance-like posture expressing her fearless, free spirited and independent nature.
The art print is available exclusively from The Collective Memory shop in the French Quarter of Hanoi. Can’t make it to their shop? Contact them here for online purchase and shipping enquiries.
July 2019
