Meet the IGI Member: Margaret Anne Suggs
We are starting a new section in Scamp. We want to bring you closer to some of the members of the Illustrators Guild of Ireland (IGI). We start with Margaret Anne Suggs:
Where do you work and what does it look like?
I mainly work from the house. My upstairs studio has great light and the space is perfect. And my collection of books (children’s, artist’s, art and design history…) is nearby.
Can you give us an idea of your work process?
I’m very old school. Watercolour, pen and ink and coloured pencils would be my weapons of choice. Although recently I’ve been working some in collage, and with some new crayons I bought last trip to Italy. Working text and hand-lettered type into my illustrations is a new interest as well. I have been trained on the computer, but I don’t use it as much as I should.
Do you see much change in your illustration over the years? If that’s the case, where do you think it is going?
I hope my illustration IS going somewhere. I took some time out to have a family and finish a Master’s Degree – and it took more time than I thought it would. The programme at Ballyfermot has also taken a while to get up and running. I just never dreamed that some part time hours teaching drawing would turn into a full time illustration higher national diploma! So I don’t market myself as much as I used to, and I’m doing more personal and special commission work. I hope to use the work from this time “out” to re launch myself once the family and the course start taking care of themselves.
Tell us what inspires you, Margaret
Ah, my students inspire me a lot! They are fresh and full of ideas and energy. They keep me in touch with what’s hip. They make you think anything is possible.
For professional inspiration – I’ve always been a fan of Edward Gorey. He had no training, and his style never really evolved, but he was an eccentric genius! He just did his own thing and was happy doing it
Bill Bolger has been an inspiration to me. He calls himself a typographer these days, but he was a master at illustration as well. He was one of my tutors in the Vis Com MA at NCAD and then I ended up writing my thesis on him for the next MA (in History of Design and Applied Arts). Bill illustrated the first catechism that was used in Irish schools after the second Vatican Council and it changed the way a generation of children learned religion.
Recently I’ve been watching the work of Rebecca Dautremer and Carll Cneut. Both of them have such a unusual content! They include extraordinary texture and lively colour as well.
Which areas of illustration do you enjoy the most?
Mainly I do children’s books, text books and gift market work. I LOVE getting the odd editorial illustration or quirky poster. Any project where the art direction isn’t too heavy-handed is a delight!
Are there any areas in illustration you haven’t touched yet and would love to tap into
Posters! I’m really inspired by Polish poster design, and love the idea of including hand lettered text with large scale illustration. There are some lovely gig posters around at the moment. Another area would be architectural illustration, but not so much in the traditional sense. We’ll see what comes. The motto of the moment: Keep Calm and Carry On.
Thanks Margaret. We look forward to seeing more of your work.
You can check her IGI portfolio in www.illustratorsireland.com
February 5th, 2010 10:47
What a great new feature..It’s really interesting to see another Illustrators working environment and hear about what inspires them.It helps to put the work in context when you know where the artist is coming from.
Congrats Margaret..I’m very envious of you closed in bookshelves!
February 5th, 2010 11:01
What a lovely piece.
Great stuff Margaret Anne and Scamp.
PJ
February 5th, 2010 11:17
I’ll be hiring Ale for professional promotions! Thanks Ale – You make me look good!
February 5th, 2010 12:01
I really enjoyed this! Great idea.
February 5th, 2010 12:06
One of the truly original artists of the new century.Shes only awesome.
February 5th, 2010 14:06
Lovely stuff Mags
and a great addition to Scamp – looking forward to peeking further into the murky lairs of Irish illustration!
February 5th, 2010 16:39
A great idea done well.
Thanks to both for the nice insight.
February 5th, 2010 16:51
Lovely interview Margaret.
February 5th, 2010 17:12
Well done Margaret.
Look forward to seeing the next installment.
February 6th, 2010 00:56
very enjoable reading! full of lightness elegance and pleasure. with the perfect dosage of passion (for the work) and humour (towards life). excellent
February 6th, 2010 16:58
Margaret;
I knew you since you were a tiny little thing. I am so proud of your accomplishments. Keep up the fantastic work!
February 6th, 2010 17:31
Pleased to meet you!
February 7th, 2010 15:16
Lovely work Mags. Well done one and all. Nice addition to the blog.
http://www.poster.com.pl/poster-artist.htm
February 7th, 2010 17:16
Hey Mags
Lovely profile and interesting insight.
February 8th, 2010 11:50
Hi Mags
Looking good
Nice dress too!
February 9th, 2010 05:48
This is a great new feature on scamp. I’m a graphic designer attempting to move into the world of illustration and I find articles like this to be very helpful.
February 10th, 2010 15:42
So nice to see Mags on the new Scamp feature! Mags is so talented and not only is her work great but she has inspired us to create things that we never knew we’re capable of! We think Mags is a Superwoman! All students loves her!!!
February 20th, 2010 12:01
An enjoyable read thanks Mags. Might we get an opportunity to read your piece about Bill Bolger sometime in the future?
March 3rd, 2010 21:40
So nice to get an insight into such an inspirational illustrator. A true legend with a superb personality.