RICHARD ANTHONY JOHNSON

Richard Anthony Johnson (Tony, TeeBirdd, T.J.)'s

introduction to art in publishing came at the age

of 9 years old when he came second in a Jamaican Kellogg's Corn Flakes ''SNAP, CRACKLE & POP'' colouring competition in The Daily Gleaner ..

His next experience came 7 years later when his

school mate ''PROF'' had a brilliant idea to

illustrate the No.1 Song in Jamaica at that time

''S-90 SKANK'' which he illustrated, submitted

and had published as ''PROF/TONY'' in ''SWING''

Magazine. Unfortunately PROF had no desire to

continue so ''JAH RASTA-CLAUS' was created for

SWING's Christmas edition with ''OH GANJA TREE'' sung to the melody of ''OH CHRISTMAS TREE'' !!! This idea later led to Christmas Cards featuring ''JAH RASTA-CLAUS'' being published thereafter !!!

Fast forward 7 years later and after many nights of drawing, writing and inking, "JAMAKA'' was submitted, and first published in the Jamaican daily evening paper ''THE STAR'' on the 12th MAY 1975 with two comic strips published daily, six days per week.