Artist Bio

Sue Climpson

I am English, I live in Hampshire and have been an illustrator for over thirty years, working in many different areas of what that word encompasses. I have mostly worked as a freelance illustrator for editorial, brochures, books and advertising. Simultaneously, I have regularly worked as a graphic designer. I have contributed to animated films and I have worked in Television, mostly as an illustrator but also as a designer. I have a degree in Fine Print and Graphic Design. I also make my own ‘Fine Art’ paintings and prints.

The child of artists, I never actually considered doing anything else – and I haven’t, except for a few student jobs which served to convince me – forever - that I was really only suited to messing around with a pencil and living in the world of my imagination. To live on being an artist is a dream that many have and I have been most fortunate in that I have done that - without, need I say, actually pulling off the Becoming Wealthy Trick.

Due to my being a bit of an antique, I began my career with the use of conventional drawing materials, to which I was/still am pretty addicted. I can stare at paint charts for half an hour or so, just enjoying the colour. I love the feel of a pencil on paper, of paint on a brush and the sight of a piece of stretched water colour paper - all blank and waiting... (probably best to leave it undisturbed)

However, I was brought to an abrupt halt in this creative wallow by the arrival of computers whilst in a period of full time Television employment. It was no longer an option and after a few years of mental torture and contemplation on the unfairness of progress, I gave in and bought my own - eventually submitting to the charms of Photoshop - which I had from its first version. Now I couldn’t be without it.
For Fine artwork I tend to begin on the computer and end with hand work - and for commercial work, I draw first and then finish work on the computer.

Without the animals with whom I have shared my life, I should have been a very unhappy person, I owe them a lot, I make specific mention of several very wise and funny Irish Wolfhounds, various beautiful horses and 2 lovable loonies - a Bouvier des Flandres ( oh, look it up) and a rough coated Jack Russell terrier.
I have always felt a leaning toward the type of dog that, almost immediately after grooming, rather resembles the inside of a vacuum cleaner bag, and which, needless to say, leaves the carpet looking like someone just tipped one out on it.
They have been a whole lot more successful in my general education than school ever was and, years ago, my first efforts at making amusing drawings stemmed from living in their company.

You can see some of my other work on www.imageri.com and on www.visionari.co.uk

My huge thanks to mac for making this small hilarious haven possible and to Tams for creating our website and making it all work. We hope you enjoy what we offer and that it helps you to feel the warmth and the smile that lies at the heart of all life, everywhere.