IT was November 1989 when the first Fremantle Herald hit the streets.

And the paper’s quirky logo—a rooster with human legs—quickly led to the Herald being nicknamed “The Chook”.

Where did it come from and “what’s with the shoes?” is a frequently asked question.

• Artists Carl Haanappel and Frances Jelovsek. Photo by Steve Grant

But even the woman who came up with it, artist Frances Jelovsek isn’t sure.

An East Fremantle councillor at the time, and friend of mayor and Herald owner Andrew Smith, she designed the logo, based on a similar one in a US newspaper.

“I altered it, and put the shoes on…but I don’t know why shoes,” Jelovsek says.

Locals who avidly read Sudhir’s weekly horoscopes in the Chook have Jelovsek to thank for the star sign logo.

• Paintings by Carl Haanappel and Frances Jelovsek (below)  that will feature in the exhibition Colour and Form.

She dabbled in art as a child and studied graphic design in the UK, but didn’t get serious about art until her marriage broke down when she was in her 40s.

She found consolation in an arts degree at Curtin University: “The first semester was horrible I didn’t know what they were talking about,” she says.

She soon found her feet and began winning prizes and overshadowing younger students. “I would like to encourage even older people to never stop, never give up,” the 70-year-old says.

It’s an attitude she’s embraced in the exhibition Colour and Form—a mix of watercolour, pastels, oils and sculpture—featuring local artists Carl Haanappel, Caroline Marinovich, Catherine Kelley, Jelovsek, Graham Longworth, Jan Piercey, Rick Staker and sculptor Robyn Varpins.

Colour and Form is on August 11 to 18 at the Hamilton Hill Memorial Hall, corner of Carrington Street and Rockingham Road.

by JENNY D’ANGER