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History

Hi, Again!

I'm glad you are interested in learning more about me. I have great plans.

I get asked a lot of questions about where I came from and who I am.

On this page, I'll tell you my history. And if you want to know more about me and my friends, then check out the Cast page.

Where did I come from?

I was born on 24 March 1996, as the collaboration between Mike Russell and KeV Beeley.

KeV was doing some sketches and created the prototype of a cartoon fox character (see the sketch below on the right). He wasn't sure what to do with the character; but this was my humble beginning.

Mike, who likes foxes, thought there was potential for me and encouraged KeV to think about using me for some stories. Mike, also came up with my name (more on that later). So, KeV and Mike started working on the concepts and design for me. Thus, I was born.

In early 1997, my dad asked Laura Howell to work with me. Laura is a good friend of KeV and my dad. KeV had other projects he was interested in and so Laura took over as my artist, bringing me to life.

[ KeV Beeley's first drawing of me ]

What did I first look like?

My dad, Mike, wanted me to be a cartoon fox. A fox with a future in animation. Yay. (If any of you visitors to my web site have a lot of money and want to fund making me a cartoon star, please talk to my dad. *hee hee*)

My dad can't draw, but he is sort of ok with editing images. So, he used several cartoon drawings and many other influences and proceeded to draw my first official picture. The picture at the top of this page is that drawing. Many of my features were resolved in this picture: my fondness for purple with yellow accent, my dark red hair that goes to mid back, the gold ring just in my left ear, and my blue eyes. I sort of look like a cat in this picture *snicker*. Well, I told you my dad can't draw.

With this prototype, my dad then started asking folks who can draw to help my appearance.

Why Vicki?

I am named after a real fox. In the book, Wild Fox, a true story by Cherie Mason, the author shares how a wounded adult fox came into her life one year and how she helped nurse it back to better health. Even though the fox was a dog fox (male), she named it, Vicky. This "feminine" name suggests the beautiful grace and delicate build of all foxes. Mike liked the story; and I think he likes the name Vicki, anyway. This is the basis of my name.

Mike changed the spelling from Vicky to Vicki because he thinks the common spelling of a girl's name uses an "i" ending instead of "y".

Why are there several pictorial representations?

You may have noticed there are different representations of me on these pages.

The official model for me and my cast are defined by my mom, Laura Howell.

However, Mike thought it would be fun to commission portraits of me from various artists. These images would reflect the style of the artist, yet show me. Mike even tried drawing me (see above). In Mike's case, he likes to show me in a stereotypical American animation drawing style.

What is with the trademark symbol?

Mike is using my likeness as the logo for his company, Vicki Fox Productions Inc. I am featured on a line of products. Most of these products are paper products (artwork and greeting cards) and clothing (embroidery). Therefore, to protect me, Mike is claiming my name "Vicki Fox" and the phrase "The World of Vicki Fox" as trademarks; supported by actual commercial business. We are even considering registering the trademark (so the TM may be replaced with a ® symbol in the future).