Meet the Artist: Sue Wright

By Mia Macrossan

Sue Wright is the owner of micro-press Tiny Owl Workshop. She publishes novellas, zines and children’s books and produces multi-media projects through the imprint Curious, with Terry Whidborne.  She has a fondness for tea and a collection of picture books that can be seen from space.

Sue is one of the artists exhibiting her work at the 2025 Book Links Exhibition: StoryArt at the Richard Randall Gallery 4 -13 April.

Thank you for talking to StoryLinks

When did you realise that you wanted to be an artist? 
I didn’t. I loved drawing, but my family wasn’t well off and my Dad was too sick to work when I was in high school, then my Mum had a stroke so going to uni/TAFE wasn’t an option for me until much later. I’d been working for some time when someone noticed my constant doodling as I took notes (it helps me listen) and asked me if I could do some illustrations for them, and I’ve been illustrating and doodling stuff ever since.

What were your favourite illustrations/illustrator as a child? Did they inspire you?
I have an older brother and sister so I’d read whatever they read, including Biggles, Beano and Mad Magazine – anything I could get my hands on really. I read a library copy of The Lord of the Rings when I was thirteen and fell in love with Tolkien’s illustrations and the maps in particular. I also loved Disney animation and had one record called Tubby the Tuba, it had a little illustrated booklet and I listened to it over and over.  When I was four, I also watched Doctor Who… from my hiding place behind the sofa. So illustration, stories, TV and animation were all joined up for me as a child. For some reason, I also loved the film How Green Was My Valley. (I remember that film, it starred Maureen O’Hara)

What is your preferred medium to work in? Why? Do you have more than one preferred medium?
I love working in polymer and epoxy (air dry) clay, turning 2D drawings into 3D figures and things. I’m amazed by illustrators who understand colour and light, but I love creating 3D figures which capture the light. I also love creating facial expressions and suggesting stories and worlds that the figures may inhabit.

How would you describe your art style?
My work style is irritatingly detailed. I love details, but they take a long time – which I do really enjoy… most of the time. Because I’ve always worked full time in other jobs, I made things after work or on the weekend. So my style developed to fit in with the realities or working, being a parent and caring for my Mum (who has dementia). Working with air dry clay meant I could work for short periods of time and build something over time.

Where and when and how do you work? Could you describe the process from commission to finished product?
Until a few months ago, my workspace was on my front verandah. But my Mum moved into a nursing home last year, so I now have a workspace downstairs. It’s pretty amazing and I feel very lucky to have an actual workshop. Most days I can be found downstairs working on various pieces.  Most pieces start with a very rough pencil drawing. I then build an armature of wire and aluminium foil, and then sculpt the clay until the character emerges. I often paint my sculptures, but I’ve been leaving my pieces unpainted and quite like leaving them raw.

What are the challenges of working with a writer as opposed to creating both text and art. Do you have a preference/ambition? Is there a writer you would like to work with?
I do write, but I mostly publish other people’s stories. One of my favourite things to do as a publisher is to commission illustrations/artwork for various stories. I published a book called MEEP, by Andy Geppert – who is an utter joy to work with, and recently published a Museum Sketchbook by artist Deb Mostert who documented (illustrated) the work of the taxidermy team at the Queensland Museum. Deb’s an amazing artist who made some fairly grisly taxidermy activities look very sweet and fascinating. Working with other artists is fantastic.

 Is there an iconic children’s work that you would like to illustrate?
If I could work on a Studio Ghibli film – any Ghibli film – I’d be seriously happy. Spending time at Weta Workshop just learning from their sculpture artists would be incredible. I’d love to see A Murmuration of Starlings (Robber Girl) by Franny Billingsley made into a Ghibli Film – maybe I could design the knife.

Is/are there artist/s working today that you admire? Why? Is there someone you look up to now?
There are sooooo many artists whose work I love. Amy Sol, Pucky, James Jean, Scott Radke, Carolyn Magerl, Sean Tan, Fintan Magee, Iris Compiet, Arinze, Willy Verginer, Alfred Liu, Rovina Cai, Forest Rogers, Akishi  Ueda, Ian McQue, and Emily Hughes – Emily’s book Wild is one of my all time favourite picture books. I also love Tara Books (Chennai, India)and Flying Eye Books (London). Both publishers have such strong aesthetics and Tara Books makes the most exquisite handmade books.

Can you tell us something about the pieces that you are going to exhibit at the Richard Randall Art Studio?
The pieces I’m working on for the exhibition are large and small sculpts you might find inhabiting some odd little fantastical world. I’ll be showing my work with Terry Whidborne, so the sculpts complement Terry’s amazing Faeries of Tasmania illustrations

Do come and see Sue’s work at the The StoryArt Exhibition,  annual event showcasing local artist-illustrators whose work includes creating beautiful books for children. The participants will have illustrations, models and other art on display. Books will be available for purchase.

Join us for UP LATE  at the Book Links Story Art Exhibition on Friday 4 April, from 5:00pm @Richard Randall Art Studio, Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens. Free admission – bookings open now.

Artists exhibiting this year are:
Niña Nill – Kittens Do Not Care For Baths by Ali Rutstein, Published by Hardie Grant, Oct 2024; Ladybirds Do Not Go To Day Care written by Ali Rutstein, Published by Hardie Grant, Nov 2023; We’re Moving Away Hardie Grant Aug 2023;
Sue Wright – polymer clay sculptures of mythical and fictional creatures, Tiny Owl
Brent Wilson – Frog, Log and Dave Almost Save the Day by Trent Jamieson Published by Penguin 4 March 2025, Laugh in the Bath by Rory Mather Published by Affirm Press January 2025; Mr Impoppable by Trent Jamieson Larrikin House May 2024
Clare McFadden – The Book of Hours published by Walker Books April 2024; The Flying Orchestra published by UQP 2019
Blithe Fielden – Dinosaur in My Pocket (Ashleigh Barton) Published by Lothian (Hachette) March 2024
Hélène Magisson – Mumma Bear by Rory Mather,  Noisy Noisy City written by Andrew Kelly; Willow’s Gumboots  by Beverley McWilliams; All About Magical Creatures Written by Izzy Quinn
Terry Whidborne