Stephen Embleton

In 2003 I got to see the Hollywood machine in action and got to personally work with (the formidable) Wolf Kroeger (Production Designer of "The Last of the Mohicans", "First Blood", "Equilibrium", "Reign of Fire" etc). I learned so much from Wolf, particularly the fickle nature of the business and standing your ground in your artistic vision. This was for the 2005 Warner Bros film  "Racing Stripes" out on location for 6 months in the KZN midlands. I did the design and illustration on the circus convoy (hardly visible in a storm sequence) at the beginning of the film – a simple airbrush style – as well as other elements in the film, including the racetrack branding, signage and posters. At first we started a P. T. Barnum style to the circus artwork, but Wolf was inspired by Cirque du Soleil and we pivoted to a slicker look. I got to visit the sets, see the machine of filming on a massive scale as well as seeing my artwork on the vehicl...

 Me 29–6–2003 Faced with myself, I like what I see. It doesn’t matter what I seem like to thee. I am who I am. The best I can be. I cannot be you. I have to be me.                                             – Stephen Embleton

Hearts Afire To Riley – Valentine’s Day 2003 Hearts afire, hearts aflame. I burn inside when I hear your name. The heat of the sun doesn’t come close, I wish each day I could give you a rose. The flame, the heat, the burning golden light, And still a chill I get when you are in sight. Roses are red, flames burn hot. Any more words, I have not.