Marcus Mason-Williams

Hello everyone, my name is Marcus Mason-Williams. I am an autistic author, illustrator, artist, animator and performer.

Art and storytelling sets me free and helps me communicate. Zooland: a Sign of Hope was my first published story. I have recently published my second children's story: The Horse and the Dragon Trials of Friendship. This features two autistic young people and their animal friends. Magical powers, friendship and the realisation that autism is a strength, not a weakness, inspires the human and animal heroes to achieve the impossible. I plan to write a series of books to follow up this story.

I started drawing when I was about 5. Henry Rousseau’s animal paintings, especially Tiger in a Tropical Storm, motivated me to start drawing animals by hand. I now also use digital software and have recently starting learning to draw cartoons, thanks to Neil Kerber, a UK leading cartoonist.

My ambition is to develop my storytelling and be a storyboarder and animator one day. My art and stories showcase my passion for wildlife and the natural world, which was inspired by my heroes: Kate Humble, Sir David Attenborough, Bill Oddie, Chris Packham and Johnny Kingdom. My work is also influenced by my autism.

I plan to create a new line of story books, comics, audio books and animations for both children and adults.

In 2021 I set up my business CoolArt2021 to sell cards and other products featuring my wildlife inspired artwork. I hope my work makes you smile!

Thank you.