Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Curry.
Susan, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
My story into art has been a pretty organic progression. My first real experience with art (that I can remember) was when I was about four. I had a teacher names Ms. Rose. After school she taught me how to make roses out of clay. Every day she taught me something different; how to make pompoms out of yarn, or how to draw a cat. That love of creating something out of nothing really stuck with me all through school. I ended up going to FSU’s College of Motion Picture Arts to study animation. It seemed like the next logical step…I loved drawing…so now I could incorporate movement and storytelling into them.
After graduation I moved to Ireland. I had gotten my citizenship through my mother as a graduation gift and a job at a VFX studio shortly after. I adored it there, but I wasn’t keen on the work I was doing. It was mostly advertisements for European brands I never heard of. The commercials were technically challenging (which I liked) but I missed the narrative storytelling. I started to receive a lot of inquiries about freelance work so I decided to take another chance and leave my studio. I’ve been a freelance illustrator and character designer ever sense.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I’m a visual development artist and character designer for animation. One my favorite things about animation is that everything has to be designed and created from scratch. That opens the door for so many interesting design opportunities that allows you to visually reinforce the overall story. That’s where I come in. I’ll receive a character breakdown or script for a story and I get to figure out a way to bring the characters’ internal conflict or personalities up to the surface.
When I’m not working on a story I’m drawing portraits. I think the world is a beautiful place filled with interesting faces. I want to capture that and share my unique take on it. It doesn’t really matter if its someone I know or a stranger I saw getting coffee. It’s just a chance to show people how I see them.
What do you think it takes to be successful as an artist?
Success is pretty abstract in my opinion. It can’t be calculated by number of like or followers. I feel like I’ve succeeded when I look back at my work and it’s something I’m proud of. I think it’s easy to get down on yourself especially when you’re first starting out. There are tons of talented artists out there and it’s hard not to compare yourself to them but it’s an artist perspective and way of seeing things that make them special. Nurturing and developing that unique view is what makes a successful artist in my opinion.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My work is mostly online. I sell prints through my shop and sometimes I exhibit at The Perky Nerd in Burbank. I try to post new content as often as I can…usually through my Instagram or Facebook. I love when people share my art. It’s a great way to reach new people…it’s important to remember to give credit with a tag or mention.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.susancurrydesign.com/
- Phone: 9549186560
- Email: Susancurrydesign@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susancurrydesign/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susancurrydesign/
Image Credit:
Susan Curry Design LLC
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