About Ian Coate

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About Ian Coate (The Long-winded Version)

Ian is a seventh generation Aussie who has a rich Australian heritage that can even boast a convict in his family tree.   His ancestors moved from the east coast of Australia to settle and farm in the south-west of WA. 

Direct members of his family have served Australia in every major war since Federation: the Boer War, WW1, WW2, Vietnam, Timor and Afghanistan.

After high school, Ian went on to study fine arts.  Within six months, he surprised his family by announcing he was quitting his art to join the army and would be leaving in a matter of weeks.  In early July, 1988, Ian found himself at Kapooka undergoing basic training.

During rest times, Ian would do sketches of other recruits for them to post home to their loved ones (it was a time before digital cameras and mobile phones).  When Ian’s Section Commanders saw these drawings, they arranged an interview for him to become an Illustrator in the Royal Australian Survey Corps.  So Ian, who had joined the army to escape art, now found himself employed as an Army Illustrator.  But the military’s practical approach to art, illustration and photography suited Ian and he thrived in the environment.   He was posted to command units such as Command and Staff College, RMC and CGS Office in Canberra.  It was in the army Ian would meet his wife, Sue (a corporal in Signals Corps), and start a family.

In 1994, Ian discharging from the regular army and came to Perth with his wife and kids.  Between home-dad duties and trying to start a career as a freelance illustrator, Ian joined the Army Reserves and was posted into army recruiting roles. 
With the Black Hawk Tragedy in 1996, Ian lost a good mate.  When the opportunity arose to do a series of artworks to commemorate this event and record key historical phases of the Australian SAS, Ian jumped at the chance. It wasn’t long before other army units saw Ian’s talent for visually recording history through art and employed him to create commemorative paintings for their museums.

Ian is currently the Artist-in-Residence at the Australian SAS Historical Foundation.  He has proudly been an ambassador to Army Art and a lecturing artist for the Military Art Programme that offers free art classes for veterans and personnel of all services.
Ian’s original artworks hang in military museum around Australia including: SAS Regiment, WA Military Museum,  4RAR Battalion, 2/14 Lighthorse, Royal Military College, RSL Headquarters – Queensland and 13th Engineers.  His prints are hanging in military units and messes throughout the world.
Co-signies on Ian’s prints have included: Australian of the Year: General Peter Cosgrove. The Surgeon General, John Pearn. WW2 pilot and double ace, Bobby Gibbs. Victoria Cross recipients:Ted Kenna and Keith Payne. Plus a notable list of generals, commandants and exemplary soldiers. (Their generosity of time has contributed greatly to well over $250,000 from print sales donated to various charities.) 

Ian has a great love for Australia: its visual beauty, history and heritage, but most of all its oddities. He spent a lot of his childhood in the outback.  His parent had unique occupations that often saw Ian, his two sisters and brother camping in the remote bush of Western Australia.  Ian grew up learning to appreciate Australia’s flora and fauna while exploring its amazing environments.

When Ian had a family of his own, he and his wife, Sue, would take every opportunity to take their three kids camping to experience the many surprises of Australia. 

It was around many campfires, the idea of Mythic Australia came into focus. Ian and Sue wanted to share their love of Australia and encourage other people to take a greater interest in their country, so they set about creating a fun fantasy universe filled with Drop Bears, Hoopsnakes, Nutters and Doodackies.

For twenty years, Mythic Australia has been a labour of love for Ian and Sue.  The payback has been seeing how their Aussie-inspired creatures and stories have engaged many children (and adults) and in-turn inspired these people to explore their own incredible country. 

Ian and Sue invite you to join them on their enchanted Aussie journey and visit the Mythic Australia website:  PRESS HERE

At the age of 17, Ian was a cover artist and contributing illustrator for a local sci-fantasy magazine, Australian Realms.  Ian loved creating fantasy illustrations of warriors and dragons and was eager to learn more about the trade.  Unfortunately, back in the 1980’s the only higher education for art were courses in Fine Arts or Graphic Design (Illustration was a neglected in-between profession).  Ian signed up for Fine Arts; however, the existential journey was not a right fit and he soon left to join the army (as seen above).

In 1994, after six years working in the regular army as an illustrator-reprographic, Ian discharged to become a home-dad while embarking on a new career of freelance illustration.  There were many hard lessons to learn over the pursuing years.  Ian worked on an assortment of projects from magazine and book covers, cartoon strips and a variety of merchandise for Australian Tourism. 
While he illustrated books for others, Ian also loved to write and both authored and co-authored numerous children’s books and articles.

For Ian, one of the joys of illustration has been collaborating with other creative people on projects that benefit the community.  Ian works with health organisations like Foodbank, H.E.L.P., Diabetes, Oral Care and Indigenous Health to create illustrations to aid in communicating their important messages to young audiences or communities with low literacy or language barriers.     

Over his illustration career, Ian has been privileged to work with many talented aboriginal artists.  The experience and exchange of ideas has been both valuable and edifying.  Ian has collaborated with various indigenous artists where they provide the background artwork and Ian provides the illustration.  The result: healthy messages for indigenous communities.

Christianity has played a big part in Ian and Sue’s life.  In the early 2000’s, they worked with their church creating a series of books and resources for a missionary outreach in India and Africa.

It was through this experience, Ian and Sue came to understand that many Christian Ministries around the world are trying to spread God’s Word with a non-existent budget.  It became evident, that there was a great need for “free” Christian artworks to aid in communicating the Good News.  So each week, Ian and Sue decided to dedicate a day creating Christian resources for anyone to download at no cost or obligation – 'so all may hear the Gospel'.

As the demand grew worldwide for these free Christian illustrations, Ian and Sue took the next step and created a dedicated website simply called: FREE CHRISTIAN ILLUSTRATIONS.

Ian and Sue hope you’ll take the time to visit and explore this website.  PRESS HERE

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