Paralympian Josh Cassidy on his illustrating

Paralympian Josh Cassidy is among the world’s top distance wheelchair racers and was a recent winner of the Great North Run half marathon. Away from the track the Canadian athlete talks about his passion for illustrating.

“I was always into comic books as a kid and I was always drawing. My favourites were Batman, Wolverine, the X-Men and Spiderman. When I got into high school I had a great art teacher it really expanded my knowledge and I really started to take it a lot more seriously. I then went to Sheridan College in Toronto to study art and illustration and I graduate this year.

"You could describe illustration as one of today’s major art forms – it is mainstream art in our society and it’s about creating pictures to convey a message. It encompasses everything you see from newspaper cartoons to comic books... a lot of different areas.

"At the moment I’m focusing on comic books. I’ve put some portfolios together for Batman, Spiderman. At the same time I’m also working on a graphic novel with my own story and characters, which I’m writing and illustrating at the same time.

"Balancing athletics and art is tough but the good thing is I’m working on getting my website up which will hopefully make it a little easier to bring both my worlds for everyone to share.

"Many teachers have asked me what is more important my art or my athletics and I honestly say it is straight down the middle. If something is not working out on the drawing desk then I go training then I came back and do some drawings, which is an escape as well.

"During the past year my athletics is starting to kick off and I am putting more time into training. I’m hoping to have a month off after the New York Marathon and then focus on the art a little bit. I’m still trying to figure out how to balance it out. I’d definitely like to continue training and continue the illustration on the side.

"I believe my illustration helps my athletics in terms of dealing with the tactics and situations of the race because in the longer distance races that mental aspect is generally helpful."