About Me
Finalist in 1991's Nationwide Young Cartoonist of the Year, sponsored by S4C and The Post Office. I was 16 at the time.1992-94: Had cartoons published in 'Gutted' and 'Zit' adult humour comics.
In 1997 I left Glasgow College Of Building and Printing after gaining an SNC in Art & Design, HNC in Graphic Design and an HND in Illustration.
Whilst at GCBP I produced satirical cartoons for the monthly Student Magazine called 'Know Your Students', poking fun at student stereotypes.
Attended the Glasgow-based SCCAM Club (Scottish Cartoonists & Comic Artist Members) from 1994-97. Exhibited Scottish-themed cartoon artwork in Zagreb, Croatia as part of the group.
Co-founded 'Toxic Pie' comic with individuals from college and SCCAM club. Toxic Pie was a self funded, self produced and self published small press adult humour comic. It proved to be a hit amongst students and comic fans and we sold it throughout Glasgow and Edinburgh in the mid nineties. Due to financial difficulties, the comic only ran to two issues.
A good learning experience nonetheless!
1998-2002: Lived in Oxford. Produced freelance cartoons and caricatures mostly for individuals within Oxfordshire County Council.
2003: Moved back to Glasgow. Got married to the lovely Irene who has remained my 'harshest critic' since 1992! God bless 'er, what a gal...
2003-2007: Joined The Scottish Cartoon Art Studio (SCA Studio) as a caricaturist and cartoonist. During my time at the SCA Studio:
I attended numerous corporate functions and events producing 'on the spot' caricatures of guests. My work proved to be very popular whatever the occasion.
Regularly produced full colour comic strips for a comic called 'Cocktales', commissioned by Healthy Gay Scotland (a community HIV health promotion initiative, part of HIV Scotland and funded by The Scottish Executive). Cocktales is a government funded health resource, promoting safe sex guidelines and advice for aged 16+ gay and bisexual men.
The comic proved to be a big success in this country. The character of my strip,'Hamish', was particularly popular amongst the readership.
In 2006, the SCA Studio had its biggest achievement to date with the publication of its first book of artwork- 'Fizzers'.
'Fizzers' (Scots slang for 'face'), is a collection of 250 caricatures of famous Scots. The brand 'Fizzers' is copyright of the Scottish Cartoon Art Studio.
Myself and the other five artists who made up the Studio, spent three years researching and putting the artwork together, it was a huge project.
As well as the book, the artwork formed a major exhibition which ran at Edinburghs' Scottish National Portrait Gallery. 'Fizzers: The Alternative Portrait Gallery' ran from 7th April till 2nd July. The exhibition attracted over 20,000 visitors - which was something of a record amount for a the gallery.
The event was sponsored by Shepherd & Wedderburn Solicitors. The exhibition marked the first time ever that contemporary Scottish caricature had been showcased at such a high level in this country.
My caricature of Lorraine Kelly (see home page) was chosen as the main, leading, 'figurehead image'for all of the Fizzers promotional posters, gallery banners, leaflets, press ads etc.
Lorraine Kelly personally visited the exhibition and left very complementary comments in the visitors book. A camera crew from GMTV's 'LK Today' programme captured the event and aired a piece on TV about the exhibition the following week.
Lorraine Kelly also highlighted my work in her 'Sunday Post' newspaper column, March 12th, 2006: "I am deeply honoured to be included in the star studded line up of Scots who've been captured by cartoonists for an exhibition in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh. My caricature by artist Edd Travers, is actually very flattering and rather sassy."
My warm thanks again to Lorraine for all her support!
The book, 'Fizzers: Famous Scottish Faces Caricatured', published by Mercat press, features 100 of the caricatures from the collection, 17 of which are mine, and is out now (£9.99 or cheaper if you buy on-line).
Scottish star of stage and screen, Brian Cox ('Bourne Identity', 'Manhunter', 'Braveheart' & 'X Men 2' etc) wrote the foreword for the Fizzers book and in it is particularly delighted at the inclusion of my caricatures of late great names such as Fulton Mackay, Alistair Sim and Russell Hunter.
Fizzers also made television news with features on BBC1's 'Reporting Scotland'and STV's 'Sunday Live' programme in which presenter Stephen Jardine interviewed Brian Cox from the exhibition at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
With the SCA Studio, I also exhibited caricatures of famous faces at the Salon International de la Caricature, du Dessin de Presse et d'Humour, Saint-Just-le-Martel, in France (a large caricature festival attended by caricaturists and fans from all over the world).
The Fizzers/Famous Faces caricatures I've produced were inspired by the work of European caricaturists.Great talents such as Jean Mulatier, Jean-Claude Morchoisne and Patrice Ricord. The intention was to produce 'pure' caricatures. Humour derived purely from observation and exaggeration of the subjects face. No political or editorial comments. No props, gags, satire or scenarios.
I've tried to follow in the footsteps of giants.
My caricatures and cartoons have appeared in the following publications:
The Sunday Post, The Sunday Times, Zit, Gutted, Toxic Pie, Endless Grind Magazine, The Berkeley Beacon Student Magazine USA, The Independent, Kirkintilloch Herald, The Sun, The Glasgow Herald, The Paisley Chronicle, The Metro, The Evening Times, The Sunday Mail, The List and The Big Issue.
I left the SCA Studio in March 2007 due to some shabby and restrictive management decisions and an increasing lack of earning opportunities outwith my control. Not a fun place to be.
I continue to forge my own professional path and pursue new challenges and opportunities.
Launched this website to showcase my talent and promote my own name as a professional caricaturist / cartoonist / illustrator in April 2007. Pleased to report that business has been continually good and my work is popular and in demand.
I would like to take the opportunity to personally thank my family, friends, customers and the random well wishers for all the compliments and kind messages of support I have received. All much appreciated.
As for the future, I plan to continue to improve my skills and keep doing what makes others and myself very happy....
Anything to avoid a 'proper job!'
I live in north Glasgow with my wife, baby son and border collie dog. And loud music! Thanks for reading.
Edd Travers.
Email address: e.travers2@ntlworld.com