Here’s a short video of Clancy telling why she creates art – https://youtu.be/GYiby2CfySc
Sue Clancy’s lighthearted story-book style has decorated the walls in universities, hospitals and other public settings. Her work has illustrated books and literary magazines. Her artist books have been included in public and private library, museum and historical center special collections. Her artist books for children have over 38,000 views on Storyberries.com
She is inspired by daily life: food, drink, literature, science, culture, pets and people. To create her visual stories and concepts she uses a variety of techniques, handmade paper collage, ink, gouache and acrylic. She designs visual stories that reflect both her inner world and her encounters with the external world. Imagination is the glue that binds them.
Upon receiving her BFA in Art from The University of Oklahoma, she embarked on a lifelong educational program of reading, traveling (in pre-pandemic times), listening to people and passing what she experiences through her imagination. She enjoys helping other people and places tell their stories visually.
Her artwork has been exhibited and purchased by public institutions such as the Bainbridge Island Art Museum, Bainbridge Island Washington, Washington State University Vancouver Washington, the Curtis Children’s Justice Center in Vancouver Washington, The UCLA Fine Arts Library at the University of California in Los Angeles, The Northwest Surrogacy Center in Portland Oregon, the Wexford Ireland Arts Center in Wexford Ireland, The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art in Boulder Colorado, The John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan Wisconsin, The Wisconsin Historical Society, The Empty Space Gallery in Bakersfield California, CARF International in Arizona, Infant Crisis Services in Oklahoma City, Youth and Family Services of El Reno Oklahoma, The Oklahoma School of Science and Math and many others.
Her art resides in numerous private collections which include the Kennedy family in Washington D.C. and the private collection of New York Times bestselling author Billie Letts.
Her fine art is represented by:
Caplan Art Designs in Portland Oregon www.caplanartdesigns.com,
The Aurora Gallery in Vancouver Washington https://auroragalleryonline.com
The Joseph Gierek Fine Art Gallery in Tulsa Oklahoma www.gierek.com
The 23 Sandy Gallery in Portland Oregon https://23sandy.com
Her art/illustrations (both color and black and white) have been published by Storyberries, Lark Books, Ten Speed Press and Allyn and Bacon, Village Books Press, Syracuse Cultural Workers, Microcosm Publishing, The Buckmaster Institute and many other places.
She creates public art and special commission projects – particularly portraits of dogs or cats as their owners. “In addition to my own stories I enjoy helping other people tell their stories with visual metaphors” she says. For more information contact the above mentioned galleries.
Sue has been a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators http://www.scbwi.org/
She is currently listed in the Clark County Poets Directory https://printedmattervancouver.com/clark-county-poets-directory/
She now lives in the Pacific Northwest (U.S.) where she regularly uses her public library card in two adjoining states. When not working on art projects she can be found sitting with Rusty (dachshund) or Hawkeye (cat) reading a book, cooking in the kitchen or watching a film with her wife.
Clancy’s full vitae is a downloadable pdf file at the top of this page.
Sue Clancy’s short artist statement is shown in the photo above (thumbtacked to her studio wall) her longer art statement is here General Artist Statement by Clancy – and here is a short statement she uses sometimes: “Sue Clancy paints and writes to cheer people up – herself included – she also cooks Irish stew very well. Clancy is the author/artist for “Alphapets“, “Dr. Bob’s Emotional Repair Program First Aid Kit” and many other titles. She also publishes the odd coffee mug. You can see more of her whimsical art and artist books here: http://www.sueclancy.com but be careful you might smile.”
Hand written recipe from “Favorites So Far” a kitchen sketchbook hand written and illustrated by Clancy
Here’s a downloadable pdf file with more info about her cut handmade paper art technique: AboutPreyingForPeas
Here are links to a few interviews and articles about Sue’s work:
MAGIC BEANS – The best since jack found his enchanted beans
Featured artist – Sue Clancy from Vancouver, WA.
https://doodlewash.com/sue-clancy-artist-whimsical-visual-stories/
https://sueclancy.com/feature-article-in-the-columbian-about-my-art/
http://lornasvoice.com/2015/11/23/coloring-outside-the-lines/
All words and images copyright 2021 by Sue Clancy