Introducing...
The Team
Ivan Clarke
Artist / creator
/ director
Bio
Ivan Clarke is an Artist well known for his powerful Landscape paintings of the beautiful southern-lakes region of New Zealand.
His dramatic paintings are exhibited in his central Queenstown Art Gallery as well as in the US, with collectors from around the world.
Ivan started imitating his father at the easel on rainy days when he was just a boy. When he was 11 he started selling his art without most being aware a child had painted them. His pastime became an enterprise as he grew up and learned the family trade of sign painting, illustration and commercial art.
Ivan is also the creator of the celebrated Lonely Dog fantasy world and story.
These were originally inspired after leaving his dog behind to go on holiday.
His Lonely Dog Art has now grown into an enormous art collection of over 200 artworks, known as the Lonely Dog Legacy collection.
Stu Duval
writer / storyseller / song lyrics
Bio
Born in Christchurch, Stu has been a graphic artist, radio broadcaster, cartoonist, motivational speaker, art teacher, preacher, mural painter, and creative director.
Stu and artist Ivan Clarke have been friends since their childhood in New Zealand. Stu, an author, and illustrator with over 20 published titles, co-wrote the Lonely Dog Novel with Ivan.
Stu writes, paints, and imagines, creating worlds in words and pictures. In 2000 he embarked on a journey as a full-time author and storyteller, travelling the length and breadth of his country sharing his stories and art.
Now considered one of New Zealand’s master storytellers, Stu’s books are beloved by children and praised for their ‘crackling prose’, ‘rip-roaring adventure’ and ‘spellbinding narrative’.
He is currently working on his much anticipated ‘Last Kiwi’ project, consisting of stunning painted works, and a brand-new novel.
Stu currently resides in Whangaparaoa, Hibiscus Coast with his wife and two adventure-loving sons who are the inspiration for many of his books and tales.
Cliff Dew
Producer / Director
Bio
“The first time I laid eyes on Lonely Dog I was sold!
Ivan’s art coupled with the novel that Stu and Ivan co-wrote is an astonishing journey of persecution and redemption…with metaphors that couldn’t be more timely for society at large. They’re age old conflicts that will speak to a global audience! I told Ivan that this story, revealed through these characters’ trials and tribulations has got to be brought to animated life. And so our odyssey began.”
As Chief Architect of the Lonely Dog Immersive Experience and Creative Director of Jumping Frog Entertainment, Cliff brings a worldwide network of talented people together to create one of a kind Immersive Experiences for Broadcast Media, Museums, Events, Theme Parks, and Conventions. They’re able to create eye-popping interactivity…allowing Art, Projection Mapping, Animation, Music, Motion Graphics, Special Effects, Augmented and Virtual Reality to come to life with endless possibilities.
“It’s an interesting phenomena because having creative partners in multiple countries allows us the freedom to explore their artistic design perspectives in ways that make our collaborations more audience driven. Artists are reflections of the culture and societies in which they live and when we start stirring the pot, wonderful ideas begin to percolate. I just try to stay out of their way and let the mojo-mo!”
Our ambition is to produce interactive worlds of art, music, and design in an environment where audiences are immersed in the experience. The intersection of innovation, creativity and technology allows consumers to interact with our digital experiences on a whole new level of engagement…as if time slows down.
Rob Pearlman
sales & marketing
Bio
Rob graduated from the University of Texas in 1986, where he also worked as a BBQ Pit boss for the late, great CB “Stubbs” Stubbelfield.
Professionally, Rob cut his teeth in the consumer electronics industry, where he was a top sales and marketing executive for the likes of Sharp Electronics, Sanyo-Fisher Company and Fuji Photo Film. From there, he went on to work for several privately owned product design and manufacturing companies, before starting his own sales consultation firm.
Rob has over 25 years of consumer product sales, manufacturing, and packaging experience, and is extremely adept at new concept launches. He has successfully brought a series of innovative consumer products and events the public over the last 20 years. He brings his industry knowledge, passion for precision and organization to the Lonely Dog Immersive Experience.
Rob is also an audiophile and fervent music fan. He currently resides in Sherman Oaks, California with his wife Holly, two dogs and a cat.
Geoff Pearlman
The Music man
Bio
Musician Geoff Pearlman is an accomplished guitarist and performer, having toured and recorded with Jakob Dylan, Shelby Lynne, and Linda Perry to name but a few. He is also a featured musician on the BMG soundtrack and Greenwich Films documentary Echo in the Canyon (2019). A graduate of Boston’s Berklee College of Music, Geoff is an active studio musician, sideman, singer/songwriter, producer, and composer in Los Angeles.
Geoff is currently utilizing his talent for melody and composition to create the crucial sonic enrichment for LDIE, writing, arranging, and producing all the songs as well as the musical score for the project. Geoff will also produce the final soundtrack album for the LDIE. If that were not enough, Geoff is conceiving and producing all the audio song snippets and chapter separations for the upcoming Lonely Dog Audiobook.
Kerry Clarke
writer
Bio
Is married to Ivan, together they have worked on the Lonely Dog brand from it’s conception, producing and creating products to celebrate the brand.
She is also the author of the Lonely Dog Children’s Book Series.
Paco Navarro
designer
Bio
A UAG graduate with a degree in Industrial Design, Paco began his career working at IBM, being hired by the corporation directly out of college. With a fervor for photography, animation, and video production, he co-founded Exodo Animation Studios in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Driven by passion for innovating creative arenas where visions and ideas blend computer animation with live action, Navarro eventually became Exodo's PR & Business Developer, serving clients in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Pursuant to his continuing zeal for photography, Paco is also a staff photographer for Tetra Images in New York, shooting lifestyle editorials.
Paco Zamudio
Creative mind
Bio
After graduating from UdG with a degree in Graphic Design, Paco launched his career with "Ettion", a boutique design studio specializing in bespoke design solutions for high profile clientele and luxury brands. He subsequently landed a job with Vertice Com, one of the largest ad agencies in Mexico.
In 2006 he co-founded Exodo Animation Studios with Paco Navarro, becoming CEO and executive producer in 2014. He is the creative mind behind most of the exciting and intriguing productions created by the studio over the course of its 14 years, and functions as the steady force behind motivating the team to excellence.
Karla Romero
artist
Bio
Karla graduated from Tecnologico de Monterrey in 2012 with a degree in Animation and Digital Art and has been part of Exodo for the past 8 years. She has excelled as a modeler, lighting and compositing artist, and producer.
Karla’s broad knowledge of the animation pipeline led her to become the CG Supervisor of the studio, where she has supervised several projects including Exodo's multi-award-winning short film "Anacronte".
Diana Gálvez
Artist
Bio
Diana graduated from Tecnológico de Monterrey with a degree in Animation and Digital Art. While in college, she started working as a prop artist in Luis Téllez's Inzomnia, the country's first stop motion feature film, and later worked under award-winning stop motion director Juan José Medina as background artist.
After being a member of the Mezcal Jury in Guadalajara's International Film Festival, she decided to pursue her new-found interest in film production, landing the position of Producer in Exodo Animation Studios after graduating.
Marco Cappellini
digital exhibitions
Bio
Marco, born in Florence (ITALY), is an electronic engineer with more than 20 years’ experience in culture and technology. His engineering prowess has contributed to the success of Projects with the world- renowned Uffizi Gallery and the HYPERMUSEUM Project for Civita Consortium in Rome, where he functioned as the lead technical manager.
In 1999 Marco co-founded Centrica (www.centrica.it) and remains the company’s CEO. Under his direction the company has developed an innovative Internet image server called XLimage®, a DAM/ DRM platform XLphoto® (IST Prize Winner 2006), and Uffizi Touch®, evolved now in ArtCentrica EdTech solution.
In 2010 he also co-founded ViDiTrust, a security firm devoted to anticounterfeiting and digital safeguarding, where he continues to hold the position of President. In 2015 he cofounded VirtuItaly, a Centrica spinoff startup, focused on the production of immersive and interactive digital exhibitions (including the extraordinarily successful Renaissance Experience). He is currently the CEO of VirtuItaly.
Paolo Massimo De Rocco
digital imaging
Bio
Paolo was born in Perigia, Italy.
After completing his university studies in Electronical Engineering, he co-founded Centrica (www.centrica.it) in 1999, assuming the role of Digital Imaging Director.
He currently oversees all of Centrica Digital Imaging’s projects.
In 2015 Paolo co-founded VirtuItaly, a Centrica spinoff startup, focused on the production of immersive and interactive digital exhibitions (including the extraordinarily successful Renaissance Experience).
For recreation, Paolo is a sailor and free diver.
Paolo Romoli
digital exhibitions
Bio
Paolo hails from Florence, Italy.
After completing his studies in Electronical Engineering, in 1999 he co-founded Centrica (www.centrica.it), becoming the company’s Technical Director.
Paolo oversees all of Centrica’s software projects, with a keen focus in the areas of imaging, UX, Human-Machine Interaction, DAM/DRM platforms.
In 2015 he co-founded VirtuItaly, a Centrica spinoff startup, focused on the production of immersive and interactive digital exhibitions (including the extraordinarily successful Renaissance Experience).
Like all Italians, Paolo loves music and good food and wine.
Steve McCurdy
Narration / Audio Book ACX Producer - Lonely Dog Audio Book
Bio
Steve started in radio at the age of 6. He couldn’t read - yet - but he could memorize. Six decades of writing, directing, and acting later he was honored to be selected as the voices of the Lonely Dog audiobook. Steve founded StoryMaster Media in the mid-80s producing innovative and highly creative corporate video messages, commercials, and training along with episodes for television and feature films. As a life-long theatre lover he took the award-winning
“Man Enough” to its off-Broadway debut as producer/director. Steve claims to have a “face for radio” and has dozens of credits as actor and voice talent on audiobooks and radio series. Vowing never to retire, Steve now records from his in-home office/studio for clients all over the globe including, thankfully, New Zealand!
Kirsty Dove
Website
Bio
A self-proclaimed “IT Geek”, Kirsty is the creative mind behind ‘The Caper’ Web Solutions. Her company combines Kirsty’s talent for the technical with her boundless creativity to make websites that work.
With a background in and passion for photography, Kirsty has also been the head of IT for a London Investment Bank, Head of IT Change and PMO at PepsiCo UK, and has even done a stint as a barista making coffee whist travelling about (handy for that Zoom meeting!).
Kirsty is employing her talented eye for design and copywriting to create an entertaining and compelling online home for the LDIE, and Lonely Dog in general.