Being unable to speak hasn’t stopped Peter Rowe from leaving his mark on the world.

On Friday, March 11 the Sunshine Coast artist, performer, writer and illustrator will launch his series of four Josh the Robot children’s books at the Avid Reader Bookshop in West End, Brisbane.

Born with Down syndrome, Peter was unable to communicate for the first 30 years of his life, but now ‘speaks’ through Facilitated Communication – a system that allows him to tap out his words letter-by-letter on a special board similar to a computer keyboard. A facilitator speaks out his words and a scribe writes them down.

Communication, therefore, is always a ‘team effort’ but the ‘Josh’ books are the product of a very unique artistic collaboration.

As with all his books, Peter created the characters, wrote the text (using Facilitated Communication) and drew the illustrations. For the Josh series, however, Peter used grant funding from Sunshine Coast Council and Arts Queensland to work collaboratively with graphic designer Mitch Palmer to create the stunning finished product.

“I have visual problems that mean I can’t see drawings that are too small,” says Peter, “so I draw very big pictures that relate to the text I’ve typed.”

Peter’s original line drawings were scanned onto the computer and Peter was able to select the ones he wanted to use. The designer also compiled an extensive catalogue of textures, fills and backgrounds for Peter to choose from.

“Then, because I lack the gross motor skills required for the computer, the designer helped me colour it all in and put it together, says Peter. “I chose the colours and fills for each image and the positioning of each on the pages and the designer put in the backgrounds.”

“This professional collaboration results in the works you see now.”

The books are big and bright with simple messages and colourful, eye-catching illustrations that are sure to appeal to their 3–6 year old target audience. They follow Peter’s three previous books, The Big Black Cloud, The Handsome Man and The Way Home. Peter will also be exhibiting some of his artwork at the book launch.

The Josh books will be available from Avid Reader, or email jandbrowe@activ8.net.au

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Peter began painting as art therapy following alleged abuse in a care facility, but has continued on to become a prolific and talented artist in his own right. He has had several exhibitions, and his work has appeared on magazine covers and sold steadily to Australian and overseas buyers.

Art from the Margins (AFTM) and Wesley Mission Brisbane (WMB) are proud to support Peter Rowe’s book launch and exhibition. Peter Rowe was a major award winner in the 2010 AFTM art exhibition and his work has been acquired for the permanent AFTM / WMB collection, which will tour Brisbane and other centres in 2011-2012.

The four Josh the Robot books were produced with grant funding from Arts Queensland and the Regional Arts Development Fund, through the Sunshine Coast Council.