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BIO
& LINKS
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Suzanne
L. Thibodeau |
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Growing up, I always liked to draw and paint. But I dreamed of being many things other than an artist: a veterinarian, surgeon, mechanic, actress, and stand-up comic to name a few. I grew up in Northboro, Massachusetts in the same house on Rice Avenue my whole childhood. We had lots of pets, a big yard with a pool, woods, and a tree house to play in. My Dad is an excellent carpenter and carver, so my brother Marc and I always had really cool toys that you couldn't buy in stores. My outgoing Mom was always cracking us up with her observations and jokes. My parents, Jackie and Larry are open, friendly, and easy-to-laugh types who always nurtured my imagination. I inherited my sense of humor and artistic talent from them. I also always loved to read. My love for books started with Goodnight Moon (Margaret Wise Brown), Richard Scarry, and Dr. Seuss and continued through the Beverly Cleary collection, Amelia Bedelia, Shel Silverstein, the Bunnicula series by James Howe (The Celery Stalks at Midnight, Howladay Inn), right on up to Judy Blume (Tales of a 4th grade nothing, Superfudge, Blubber, Are you there God, it's me Margaret, etc.) I would read anything the librarian or my teachers recommended. As an adult, I still love to read. I always have at least one book at my bedside. |
| In middle and high school, I would make all my friend's birthday cards, illustrating all our silly private jokes. I even made a couple of picture books as gifts. I really enjoyed the process of making these gifts- and my friends liked that I made something especially for them! I have given away most of my artwork over the years this way. (I have only sold 1 painting!) But it makes me really happy knowing that an old friend from 6th grade still has a card I made her, and it still makes her laugh, and that a friend's parents have a painting of mine hanging above their mantel. |
| In 1991 I went to the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, where I majored in art and minored in art history. There I met many wonderful, colorful characters and learned a lot about myself and what I wanted to do with my life. I decided I wanted to try to make a living doing something I have always loved doing-- painting. Many of my paintings are inspired by this imaginative, vibrant time of my life. I graduated in December 1995 with a BFA in painting/illustration. |
| That same year, I began working at Janna Ugone and Associates as a production painter for her line of handcrafted and hand painted lamps. I made many good friends there and have been inspired to paint even more and work toward becoming an illustrator. The illustrator I really admire right now is Jan Brett. Her paintings are beautifully rendered and full of little treasures and surprises. I have her whole book collection! |
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LINKSjanbrett.com ~ Jan Brett's wonderful website.
Visit Creative Freelance Services or go to back to my Home Page.
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