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.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Beginner
Beginner
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, 2025Illustrated 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, 2025Illustrated 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, 2025Animation 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, 2025Business partnerships; 2D animation from concept to screen; marketing skills.
2D Animator at Freelance Animators Ltd
December 31, 1993 - October 19, 20252D 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, 2025Freelance artist and illustrator; mural art; gardening and landscaping; farm work.
Freelance Illustrator / 2D Artist at Self-Employed / Freelance
December 1, 2000 - January 1, 2013Illustrated 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, 2024Illustrated 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, 1996Animation 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, 19932D animation company director; business partnership, concept script to screen; marketing.
2D Animator at Freelance Animators Ltd
January 1, 1990 - December 31, 19932D 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, 20252D Animation apprenticeship at Auckland Institute of Technology
January 11, 2030 - December 8, 2025Graphic Design course at AUT (Auckland University of Technology)
January 1, 1987 - January 1, 1990Qualifications
2D Animation apprenticeship
January 11, 2030 - October 19, 20252D Animation Apprenticeship
January 11, 2030 - December 8, 2025Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Other
This is a children’s picture book that I illustrated. It is an educational story teaching children to believe in themselves, and the importance of working together as a team.
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