Jonathan Royce: Keef and Bruno Totums

Keef and Bruno Totums by Jonathan Royce; Photo credit: Karen Thiessen 2012 

The Surface Design Association Ontario chapter recently met at Needlework in Hamilton and there I met Jonathan Royce, a recent transplant from Brooklyn, New York. Some of us brought projects that we are working on. Jonathan brought a mysterious colorful box. When he opened it, a host of characters popped out and charmed us with their strange brilliance. The knit characters are called Totums and are based on his Keef and Bruno "family." 

Keef and Bruno Totums by Jonathan Royce; Photo credit: Karen Thiessen 2012

As you can see from the hand in the upper left corner of the above images, Totums are small, expressive creatures. Jonathan, a former animator, knits them all himself. I could see them in an exhibition in one of the hallway cases at York Quay Gallery at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto. 

Keef and Bruno Totums by Jonathan Royce; Photo credit: Karen Thiessen 2012

Keef and Bruno Totums by Jonathan Royce; Photo credit: Karen Thiessen 2012

Keef and Bruno Totums by Jonathan Royce; Photo credit: Karen Thiessen 2012

Jonathan says that the Totums are on the verge of becoming movie stars in an animated film. I can't wait to see it!
* photos taken with permission from Jonathan Royce