John Lloyd, a man widely and highly regarded as being a uniquely gifted artist and an uncommon example of humanity, died of cancer in Toronto Sept. 13.

Lloyd, who worked for over 25 years in the Toronto art, advertising and production industries as an art director, photographer, cameraman and director, is remembered by many for his work as well as his generosity, creative spirit and love of beauty.

Born in Wallasey, Eng., in 1946, Lloyd studied painting, sculpture, illustration, graphic design and art history before emigrating to Canada in 1969. In the ensuing years, Lloyd worked as an art director for Toronto agencies including Foster, MacLaren and Vickers and Benson, and then as a director and cameraman for a number of commercial production shops. Over the span of his career he earned more than 100 awards for creativity.

Lloyd made his mark as a director first at Schultz Productions in 1980 and at subsequent production houses including Derek Van Lint and Associates, The Partners’ Film Company, Dalton Films, and finally, The Directors Film Company, as well as acting as a freelance cameraman, director and editor.

Lloyd’s style was reflected in numerous commercials he directed and shot, including those for Coca-Cola, Honda, Boutique Jacob in Montreal and Molson as well as in music videos for artists like Mary Margaret O’Hara.

‘John’s creative spirit was his life force,’ says Dan Peppler, ceo and national creative director at Doner Shur Peppler and a longtime friend of Lloyd’s.

Peppler says Lloyd had a strong style and always contributed creatively to the projects he worked on. Lloyd worked with Peppler as a freelance print art director and film director at Needham Harper (subsequently DDB Needham) on accounts like Xerox, Kraft and Honda, for which Lloyd directed several of that account’s high-profile spots.

‘We became friends immediately,’ says Peppler. ‘John made me look good with a lot of clients and scared the dickens out of a few. If you involved John in a project you could always expect a creative contribution, and when he hit it, it was right on and it elevated the project to another level.’

Editor and director Anthony Corindia, a close friend of Lloyd, remembers a man who encouraged others to appreciate the beauty of life.

‘He was singularly the most giving person I have ever met,’ says Corindia, recounting an incident at the outset of their acquaintance when Lloyd immediately proffered his stylish Italian-made hat which Corindia was admiring.

Corindia acknowledges Lloyd’s position as an artistic force, citing his contributions to the art of chiaroscuro, of which Lloyd, or ‘Johnny Clouds,’ was considered a pioneer in the country. Part of that contribution was put on display at one of Lloyd’s photographic exhibitions. Chiraroscuro: The Play of Light and Shadow, A 12 year Retrospective was shown at a Toronto gallery in 1991 and was followed in the next three years by three other exhibits of his work with other artists.

Corindia says Lloyd’s hallmark was an unfailing sense of humor and optimism which he maintained through his battle with cancer.

Lloyd’s life and work were marked by a deep Eastern influence, fueled by his travels through Asia. He was also inspired by nature and had been working for a number of years on a book entitled Dispatches from the Jungle, a collection of his photographs interspersed with philosophical musings from thinkers in all walks of life as well as his own observations. Lloyd completed the book before his death and Corindia and other friends of Lloyd’s are planning to see the project through to publication.

Having a strong style and recognized body of work, Lloyd also worked to expand his repertoire and evolve as an artist. He branched out from a solid background in fashion and stylized spots, experimenting with lighting techniques and different creative, including campaigns for Contac C and Sunkist.

Partners’ head Don McLean recalls Lloyd as a multitalented artist and innovator who developed a number of photographic techniques and who was skilled at capturing sensuality in his work. ‘He’s one of the gentlest, most talented men ever to work in this business,’ says McLean.

‘He was a man who touched everyone he came into contact with,’ says Directors executive producer Teri Walderman. ‘His visual expression of life was something we all hold close to our hearts. He taught us about light, he taught us about truth, he taught us about life. John will always be remembered for all the goodness he found in everyone and everything.’

Derek Vanlint says he first met Lloyd when the latter was taking pictures of the judges at a Bessies award show and acknowledges Lloyd’s skill as a photographer.

‘He had a great talent for capturing on his cine and stills cameras the eroticism and personalities of his subjects, be they beautiful people or a bowl of fruit,’ says Vanlint. ‘He was a forerunner in the field of recomposing skies and the like into commercials long before we had either the sophisticated equipment or the budget allowances that are now accepted as part of the post-production technique.

‘And always the incredible enthusiasm. He never dropped his guard and discussed the terrible shadow that was following him that would take him from us. He will be missed both as a talent and as a character.’