I'm Heath James Gray, a freelance illustrator and animator based in Auckland, New Zealand. I’ve spent more than two decades creating children's picture book illustrations for Maclaren-Cochrane Publishing and Macmillan Publishers, plus poster art, concept work for picture books and animation projects, and caricature work for individual clients. My experience spans film and TV production, 2D animation for Flux Media, storyboarding, and digital colouring with Photoshop Elements 10 and Corel Painter. I enjoy blending storytelling with design and I’m comfortable working across traditional and digital media.

Heath James Gray

I'm Heath James Gray, a freelance illustrator and animator based in Auckland, New Zealand. I’ve spent more than two decades creating children's picture book illustrations for Maclaren-Cochrane Publishing and Macmillan Publishers, plus poster art, concept work for picture books and animation projects, and caricature work for individual clients. My experience spans film and TV production, 2D animation for Flux Media, storyboarding, and digital colouring with Photoshop Elements 10 and Corel Painter. I enjoy blending storytelling with design and I’m comfortable working across traditional and digital media.

Available to hire

I’m Heath James Gray, a freelance illustrator and animator based in Auckland, New Zealand. I’ve spent more than two decades creating children’s picture book illustrations for Maclaren-Cochrane Publishing and Macmillan Publishers, plus poster art, concept work for picture books and animation projects, and caricature work for individual clients.

My experience spans film and TV production, 2D animation for Flux Media, storyboarding, and digital colouring with Photoshop Elements 10 and Corel Painter. I enjoy blending storytelling with design and I’m comfortable working across traditional and digital media.

See more

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Self-Employed Illustrator / Freelance Artist at Various clients including Maclaren-Cochrane Publishing and Macmillan Publishers
January 1, 2024 - October 19, 2025
Illustrated children’s picture books; poster work for sale online; concept work for picture books and animation projects; caricature work; Photoshop experience.
Illustrator at Macmillan Publishers
December 1, 2013 - October 19, 2025
Illustrated children’s picture books; greeting card illustrations; pencilling, inking, colouring; digital colouring with Photoshop Elements 10 and Corel Painter; writing skills for comic books-graphic novels; storyboarding; wrote and illustrated a children’s picture book.
Head Animator at Toonz Animation, Ltd
December 31, 1996 - October 19, 2025
Animation directing on projects including Walt Disney, Timon & Pumba, Quack Pack, Pith Possum, Tex Tinstar; Redux Red Riding Hood; nominated for an Academy Award; non-Disney projects including Margaret Mahy stories and Polar Pops commercials; conceptual work.
Company Director at Animation International Ltd
December 31, 1993 - October 19, 2025
Business partnerships; 2D animation from concept to screen; marketing skills.
2D Animator at Freelance Animators Ltd
December 31, 1993 - October 19, 2025
2D animation; cel painting; assistant clean up artist to Brent Chambers; ex-Disney animator; 2D animation tutor at Freelance Animation School.
Self-Employed Artist / Freelance Artist / 2D Animator / Mural Artist at Self-Employed / Various
December 31, 1999 - October 19, 2025
Freelance artist and illustrator; mural art; gardening and landscaping; farm work.
Freelance Illustrator / 2D Artist at Self-Employed / Freelance
December 1, 2000 - January 1, 2013
Illustrated children’s picture books for Macmillan Publishers; created greeting card illustrations; pencilling, inking, colouring; digital colouring with Photoshop Elements 10 and Corel Painter; storyboarding and writing for comics/graphic novels; produced concept art and posters; caricature work for individual clients.
Freelance Illustrator / 2D Artist at Maclaren-Cochrane Publishing
September 1, 2013 - January 1, 2024
Illustrated children’s picture books; poster art; concept work for picture books and animation projects; Photoshop experience.
Head Animator at Toonz Animation, Ltd
January 1, 1993 - December 31, 1996
Animation directing on Disney projects and other titles; projects included Walt Disney’s Timon and Pumba, Redux Red Riding Hood; nominated for Academy Award.
Company Director at Animation International Ltd
January 1, 1992 - December 31, 1993
2D animation company director; business partnership, concept script to screen; marketing.
2D Animator at Freelance Animators Ltd
January 1, 1990 - December 31, 1993
2D animation; cel painting; assistant cleanup work; tutored at Freelance Animation School; worked under John Ewing; collaborated on various animation projects.

Education

2D Animation apprenticeship at Auckland Institute of Technology
January 11, 2030 - October 19, 2025
2D Animation apprenticeship at Auckland Institute of Technology
January 11, 2030 - December 8, 2025
Graphic Design course at AUT (Auckland University of Technology)
January 1, 1987 - January 1, 1990

Qualifications

2D Animation apprenticeship
January 11, 2030 - October 19, 2025
2D Animation Apprenticeship
January 11, 2030 - December 8, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Other