Artist Review - Sue Downing Nov 19 2020

Sue is a multi-talented extraordinaire! From her days as an award winning silver smith through to a bountiful career in design-illustration she's worked both in house and freelance on projects ranging from children's books, greetings cards, wrapping paper, stationery, fabric design and even public art!

Graduating from Edinburgh College of Art in the late 1990’s with a degree in Jewellery and Silversmithing Sue was widely commended for her work and now sees her Jewellery as part of the Craft Councils official collection. After exhibiting at New Designers she was spotted and commissioned to design a range of Millennium stationery for Marks and Spencer and her career in illustration and licensing was born!

“Working with Advocate, Collaborate and Yeon Agency, and the exciting projects they find for me, means that I am constantly evolving my work." 

Sue's been with Advocate for 12 years now and cites one of her favourite projects as, ‘Lost in the City’ a search and find books published by Five Mile Press - "It was a joy to work on, and I had a great time thinking up little scenarios to go under the flaps and had fun drawing celebrities from the cities and hiding them in the crowds.” When Fullers Bookshop reviewed the title they stated, “The attention to detail in the illustrations makes it a lovely book for all ages. And some of the buildings are reminiscent of Wes Anderson's Grand Budapest Hotel!” Could there be a better compliment!

Her inspirations are many - from knitted toys, Japanese design, and Scandinavian Chic to Modernism, Dick Bruna and Info graphics - thing she's hopes are reflected in her illustration:

“I’m drawn to anything that is quirky, humorous and minimal in design”

Looking to the future Sue is keen to work on more illustrated titles and has been excitedly working away on her own books, the first of which, ‘The Day Mom Joined the Circus’ was published in September this year by Sellers Publishing. Another of her book ideas - ‘Dela said No!’ is a bold, bright, child friendly title dealing with consent and teaching young children that it is OK to say NO! when somebody asks you to do something you feel uncomfortable doing.

Check out Sue's work: HERE
Check our Sue's Book ideas: HERE
To get creative with Sue say hi: HERE