“Toto” (Antonio Reche Martinez) was born at the foot of Montserrat Mountain, just outside Barcelona, in Catalonia, Spain. He has designed everything from operas (Verdi’s “Aida” for Olesa de Montserrat festival) to pantomimes and puppet shows, and first came the UK to study at the London School of Fashion. A winner of the MAD UK costume competition, he has also worked as a tapas chef, a make up artist, and a Spanish language teacher. Together with his husband, James Mayhew, he has painted live on stage with classical orchestras, and they have also painted murals in schools all over the UK, and as far away as Ankara and Singapore. Toto’s first book for children, “The Frog’s Kiss” was published in 2022 (a collaboration with his husband). His latest illustrated book is “Oh Yes I Am” (story by Mama G), published in 2024. Now resident in Bungay, Suffolk, Toto is a busy member of the Black Dog Festival committee, creating fantastical costumes and giant puppets for the annual parade. In 2023 he won the inaugural Lucy Robertson Award for bringing a “feelgood” factor to Bungay. When he’s not walking Diva the dog, he is busy conjuring stories and art for books and theatre, creating fabulous costumes, or painting colourful canvases for galleries. Instagram: @toto.the.artist