About Donovan Dau
Self-Taught Artist | Cartoonist | Children's Author & Illustrator
Born April 7th, 1997
Mililani, Hawai'i, USA
My name is Donovan Dau. I am a self-taught Artist and the creator of The Donoverse. I am born and raised on the island of Oahu in Hawai'i.
I have always loved vehicles, sci-fi, architecture, Animation, books, and comics growing up. This, as well as my expiriences being born and raised in Hawai'i, all influence my work in the Donoverse.
As a Kid, I used to watch a lot of traditional animation; especially feature films from the late '80s and early '90s like those by Disney, Don Bluth, and Amblimation.
As a teenager, I got into Retro Anime from the Late '70s and '80s; particularly those in the Science Fiction, Shoujo, and magical girl genres.
Other Influences:
Walt Disney, Hayao Miyazaki, Roger Allers, Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise, Phil Roman, Osamu Tezuka, Mel Brooks, John Badham, Robert Zemeckis, Jim Davis, Ronald Reagan, Pope John Paul II, Julian L Simon, Christopher West, C.S. Lewis, Rick Smolan
Favorite Animated Movies:
Kiki's Delivery Service, Oliver & Company, Beauty & The Beast, The Rescuers, Tom & Jerry The Movie, The Care Bears Movie
Favorite Live Action Movies:
Back To The Future, Iron Eagle, WarGames, Short Circut, Spaceballs
Other Interests: The 1980s, The Cold War, Automotive engineering, Aviation, Skyscraper Cities, Japan, My Catholic Faith, Retro Science Fiction
Favorite Music:
70s Soft Rock, 80s Pop, 80s Rock, 80s J-Pop, 80s Italo Disco, 80s & 90s Country Music, Synthwave, Mallwave, Yacht Rock, Old School Hawaiiana
Favorite TV Shows:
Creamy Mami The Magical Angel, Full House, Modern Marvels, Old Disney Goofy Cartoons
Political Views: Center-Right
Faith: Roman Catholic (Ordinary Rite)
In addition to animation, I also grew up on books. Having spent most of my time at school alone during recess in elementary and middle school, I used to spend that time in the library reading both illustrated fiction and nonfiction books. I especially loved reading picture books and, later on, comic books (especially Garfield).
I eventually wanted to learn how to draw myself and I began drawing in 2013. I created my first original character, Jenny, while hanging out at a Comic Jam table at Kawaii Kon in 2014. I eventually made more original characters and compiled them into The Donoverse in 2018
I initially set out to make The Donoverse as a webcomic, but eventually lost interest in the format. Around late 2023 to early 2024, I decided to turn The Donoverse into a Children's Picture Book Series. I self-published my first children's book, The Hoverboard Girls, in September of 2024.
You can see all current updates about my work in my blog.
Email: donovandau.cartoonist@gmail.com
(Please Email Me For Official Business Inquiries Only )
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