The Unusual Duncan Weller

February 11,2009

Although Duncan Weller is a relative newcomer to the world of children's illustration, he is rapidly making a name for himself in Canadian publishing.  Being the recipient of a major illustrator's award must have helped.  As the most recent recipient of the  Governer General's Literary Award for Illustration. Duncan Weller is beginning to be noticed for the creativity and uniqueness of his work. Most striking his his ability to create fantastical new worlds which are interwoven with themes of beauty in nature, belonging and community, and understanding differences. Weller's work involves fantasy themes interwoven with educational messages that seem to resonate with children and adults alike.  Weller's stories include themes and messages about achieving balance and recognizing the humanity in everyone.  Weller's philosophy is best expressed through a quote from his book Spacesnake; "Always love people and use things. Never use people and love things."  (Weller 2004)  Although his illustrations are intricate and his stories complex, the underlying messages in Weller's work are what make his storytelling memorable.  

Duncan Weller is fairly unique among illustrators in fusing his ideas and art from the outset into work that is challenging, expressive and unlike any other illustrator in Canada today. Being both the writer and illustrator of his books, Weller conveys a sense of retaining creative control of his work and being in a league of his own creatively.  Weller is clearly in the early phase of his career, exploring writing for different audiences and employing a diversity of styles in his work.

 

A Writer Connected

By all accounts, Duncan Weller was born in Montreal, but moved to Thunder Bay at the tender age of 5.  After graduating high school at Sir Winston Churchill High School in Thunder Bay, Weller attended Lakehead University, initially in the Fine Arts program.  Weller became disillusioned with the Fine Arts program and switched to become an English major.  While studying at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Weller gained artistic experience working for thestudent newspaper, the Argus, contributing art, cartoons and photography.  (Nadin p.3)  Weller himself has commented on the importance that working for his school newspaper has  had on his learning process.  (Nadin p.3 )  

Although Duncan Weller describes his road to becoming published as a difficult one, his work was eventually picked up by Simply Read Books - known for its focus on publishing unique and creative stories.  Simply Read was an excellent fit for Weller, whose books are quite unlike the work of any other Canadian author or illustrator.   Unique, as well, is that Weller has elected to provide all of his published works, including upcoming books on his website in their entirety for free - a move that is virtually unheard of in the world of publishing.  

In addition to his time growing up in Thunder Bay, Weller spent many years living in Victoria and North Vancouver.  Weller spent time exploring Montreal before settling back in the Thunder Bay area to reconnect with the days of his youth as well as finish an Honours BA in English.  (Nadin) Through his literary work and ongoing projects, Duncan Weller continues to develop his storytelling craft. Weller is participating in the process of transforming storytelling media by contributing his illlustration skill to film projects including a collaboration with the RCMP and the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra on a short films and animations.

Although it is still early in his career, Duncan Weller has recieved significant recognition for his work including the 2007 Governer General's Award for Illustration and the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Picture Book Award and the Lakehead Alumni Award.  Weller is becoming more and more known for the thoughful work that he continues to provide for children and adults alike. With a such a strong start to his publishing career, Weller has become the "one to watch" in Canadian publishing.