A Time of Heroes!
At a time when we look to others and praise them for their efforts, it is a great time to honour a different kind of hero. He is a guy who works in quiet independence sharing his gift for many to admire, a man blazing his own path, creating for the simple purpose of creating to put smiles on the faces of those who admire and respect his work. Why say hero when there are so many others doing exemplary things? Simple. He is a man distinguished by exceptional courage and strength. Both qualities that define the artist he has become and the path he has chosen to follow. The path of an artist is not a simple one and it takes time and perseverance to see any kind of success in life, it is for this reason the word “Hero” is termed.
Who is this modern day un-caped crusader? He is Hugh Rookwood a freelance artist who from the time he could hold a pencil, loved to draw. Hugh, born and raised in Scarborough Ontario re-located to Alberta in 2018 and has been quoted as saying “it is the best decision he has ever made”. Hugh is the owner of an Illustration and Design Studio here in Airdrie called "Chozen Studios". Hugh is the type of artist who creates for the love of creating and making exceptional art for all to enjoy. For over 20 years he has incorporated his love of comics and comic art into his profession, developing an extensive portfolio dedicated to that which he loves.
“Hugh Rookwood of Chozen Studios is an inspiration to us all, with his grit and determination to succeed in an industry that is fickle and unforgiving.
Over the years Hugh has mentored many young artists guiding them and helping them to develop their skills while sharing his knowledge and talent. He is always willing to help a budding young talent find their creative voice. As a young man and artist growing up, Hugh was deeply influenced by creators and artists such as Stan Lee, Neil Adams, Ken Lashley including many other classic comic book creators, which is perhaps why he is so gracious when sharing his talent with young budding artists.
Hugh has an extensive portfolio and has dedicated much of his career to comic book illustration and children’s books. Most recently, Hugh just completed a children’s book entitled “Howdy I’m John Ware” published by Red barn Books and Ayesha Clough. John Ware, an Albertan hero in his own right, paved the way for those who came after him, by defining ranching in Alberta for following generations. Along with “Howdy I’m John Ware”, Hugh also illustrated the first, second and third installments of a four-book series called Paper Rock Scissors n’ Stuff Wars, which is a super fun and clever quip on the game Rock Paper Scissors written by Luanga Lue Nuwame and published by Zelpha Comics. Some of Hugh’s most recent work has him illustrating exclusive variant covers for Vampironica, Dead Day, Aurora Man, and Red Nails.
Hugh as a founding member of Draxhall Jump under Artist/CEO Ken Lashley of Marvel Comics, gave him the opportunity to do work for companies such as Hasbro, Mattel, Image Comics and Dark Horse. Later he worked with Kosmic Productions and he went on to produce the titles: Lung Mei The Dragon Current and children's books Tiesha in the land of faraway, Kyrel Wugga Wheels and Kyrel Rode Dragons. Currently, Hugh has a creator owned self- published comic series called Apocalypse 4 with writer Corrado Rizza. He is currently working with writer Jack Briglio on a Canadian superhero series, Dominion Jack, serialized in the Shuster-nominated series "True Patriot Presents", from Chapter House Publishing and finally, the anthology "Flip" from Markosia publishing in the UK.
This kind, humble, gentle man and artist is by all rights the definition of hero. Because heroes can be defined in many ways, his superpower is bringing colour and joy through art to the many, especially in a time when people need to smile, and put their minds in other places even for just a moment. Hugh’s ability to transport people to his fantastical world where good guys and bad guys are iconic, defines his art separating him from other artists. Hugh makes the unbelievable, believable and challenges the imagination bringing images to life with his fabulous ability to illustrate a story in the most magnanimous ways. It is not every artist that can tell a story in pictures, as this is a talent saved for some. His talent if you will, is bringing the page to life giving his characters incredible depth and dynamic energy. Hugh is an artist who brings sunshine and smiles to the faces of children and adults alike, at a time when things are different and strange, and he does this by simply doing what he does best, drawing. Hugh’s portfolio of work can be seen at www.chozenstudios.com, as well as on Facebook or Instagram as Chozen Studios or Hugh Rookwood, links to any of the above mentioned books can be acquired by contacting Chozen Studios at info@chozenstudios.com.
