Sorry this didnt go up yesterday, i had troubles with uploading pictures, and my posts are boring without pictures! so on with the show…

Timba Smits is an amazingly down to earth guy. When he was speaking at Semi-Permanent last week, he made everyone feel like they knew him as a friend, inviting us into his world, where he works as a graphic designer, illustrator, and one man band behind Wooden Toy magazine.  It is easy to tell from the way Timba talks about his work that he is a very passionate man, who throws himself at every project he has with enthusiasm.

wooden toy collectors edition contents page

Timba likes to work with a pencil and paper. Taking it back to basics and working with his hands has allowed his magazine, Wooden Toy, to grow and be loved, showing his hard work. Much of the title type used in the magazine are all hand drawn specifically for the article they are used. This love of typography has lead to Timba punishing himself to make each issue of Wooden Toy noticeably better than the last.

At Semi-Permanent, Sydney, Timba took us through how he puts together an issue of his magazine. The way he painstakingly lays out each page, pulling aspects of featured artwork to place around the accompanying pages in little flourishes. He stated that he may spend 15 minutes placing a small flower near the spine of a 2 page layout, even though people will barely notice, he knows that it’s there, and he loves that. The magazine, which started as a free, 86 page street style magazine has grown from 2000 issues to 5000 issues, with the latest issue, the Hand Made Edition, which features a twig and string font Timba spent about 40 hours hand drawing and colouring. The launch party for issue 6 of Wooden Toy Magazine will be held at the Gorker Gallery, in Fitzroy.

hand made edition slip cover

Gorker gallery is another aspect of Timba’s creative life. It is a gallery space he has run in conjunction with Luke Matthews, Nathan Holmes Trapnell, and Lauren Biedrzycki since June 2008. It features predominately Australian artists, in group shows, and has been home to works by artists such as Ghostpatrol, Eamo, Drewfunk, Miso, and many more. 2009 promises to be a big year for the gallery, with a great exhibition line-up.

Timba also works as a graphic designer and illustrator through The Fad Experiment. Recently having worked on illustrative portraits for The Sons of Stanhope, a photobook of Ghostpatrol and Miso’s works, and Diamondback bikes. Under The Fad Experiment, Timba has also spoken at many events and universities, such as Semi-Permanent, Shillington College, and Abu Dhabi Women’s College of Technology.

one of the sons of stanhope portraits

I have to say, after hearing Timba speak, he is definitely an inspiration. Someone who believed enough in himself and his dream to publish a magazine, and to open a gallery.

For more information on Timba Smits, here are some handy links:

Wooden Toy Magazine – www.woodentoyquarterly.com

The Fad Experiment – www.fadexperiment.com

Gorker Gallery, Fitzroy – www.gorkergallery.com

and a great interview with Timba, from Australian Edge -www.australianedge.net

below are some of Timba’s images, as well as my notes taken during his Semi-Permanent presentation.