Cirrus@Austlit

Steven Woolman majored in the sciences during his secondary education and undertook a Bachelor of Design at the University of South Australia following his schooling. He majored in illustration and, following his graduation, worked as a freelance illustrator prior to joining Era Publications in 1991. Initially working as a designer, it was not long before Woolman began to illustrate books for children. His collaborations at Era included the award-winning The Watertower with Gary Crew and The Lighthouse with Dyan Blacklock. Such was the calibre of Woolman's work that he was awarded the Ena Noel IBBY Award in 1997.

In 1999, Woolman left Era and took up freelance work once more. He wrote and illustrated a children's novel about his budgerigar (Budgie), and designed and illustrated two books for Isobelle Carmody (Dreamwalker and Wildheart). Woolman's final work for publication was to illustrate Beneath the Surface, the sequel to The Watertower.

Focussing mainly in the macabre spectrum of the science fiction and horror genres, Woolman worked in a range of media including acrylics, collage, pencil and computer-generated imagery. He acknowledged that his artwork reflected 'hours spent as a child watching old movies and TV shows'.

After a long period of illness, throughout which he continued to work, Woolman died at the age of thirty-four.