Kevin Burgemeestre

Author, Illustrator

Kevin trained in illustration, inspired by Alfred Hitchcock and Bugs Bunny to tell the story with pictures! His writing debut came with B is for Bravo, a dramatic picture book about Australian aviation illustrated using 3D (grab your glasses!) dioramas made from recycled stuff. He loves telling Australian stories and giving inspirational workshops, where he is often heard saying: “There’s nothing you can’t do on paper!”

Where were you born?

Kevin was born in Perth Western Australia, his mum and dad were Dutch refugees determined to become Australian. Kevin explains that there is no more passionate Australian than a refugee who has fled a war zone and found safety here. He feels his love of stories comes from the hair-raising tales of war and escape his mum told.

What other jobs have you had?

I have worked as a life model in Amsterdam, at the Victorian Art Centre doing graphics, and even painted murals and designed a float. Being an artist means being flexible.

What themes are recurring in your work?

I want children to feel that what they think and feel is important. The stories I like to work on underline these themes. I also find recycling important because we throw too much away. Recycling means looking at existing things with new eyes and creating new possibilities. That is the crux of creativity and the continuing theme in my workshops.

What have been the highlights of your career?

Being asked to create the Federation Day Float for Dromkeen, being invited to conduct workshops at the Australian War Memorial in connection with my “B is for Bravo book”. Recently having the pleasure of having my first play performed! That was a milestone.

What are you passionate about?

I’m passionate about generating culture, we need to make things and communicate, because we are tactile and thinking creatures. I’m also passionate about sending rubbers/erasers to a minor moon of Pluto, because they are evil and kill innocent drawings! Using rubbers when starting a drawing is like starting a marathon by running backwards. I’m really passionate about getting rid of easy put-downs when talking about other people.

Anything else you’d like to share with us?

Stories are what drive our civilization; we create ideas that become reality. I want us to reach & write, and take our thoughts and ideas seriously, but in a really fun way. Oh and destroying rubbers is also fun.