Colorist Spotlight: Sue Curry

Meet Coloring Enthusiast Sue Curry

For this week’s colorists spotlight series I’m introducing Sue Curry, the fastest colorist I know! Read on to meet Sue and learn how she fills her spare time and spreads joy through coloring. Perhaps you will discover some new techniques, artists, books, tips, and ideas for coloring.

(Responses have only been slightly edited for spelling and grammar. Click any picture to open it larger and see a slideshow. -Sue)

When did you get into coloring and what were the circumstances that led you to it?

About age 4 or 5…about 65 years ago. I took up the adult coloring book stuff in November 2015, when I said some coloring books in our local Walmart. Then, I went online and looked up ‘adult coloring books’. That led me to ‘the Adult Coloring Book Group’…and it was all down hill from there.

Why do you color? What are the benefits of coloring for you?

I have too much free time, and this is so much better than jigsaw puzzles or just watching TV all day. I became friends with some of the artists, and l love to encourage them and share their art. It makes me feel good to help others and give joy to people with my coloring.

What are your favorite media to color with? Do you have a particular favorite type or brand or coloring tools?

Markers… Tombow Paint markers, but mostly Sharpie and BIC markers of all sizes. I like the bright, bold colors of markers and speed with which I can put down color, especially with the Tombows. They help me to create incredible background effects.

What are the top 3 coloring tools you would not want to be without?

1. My markers
2. My printer/scanner which allows me to copy and print all my pictures onto card stock, before coloring.
3. My computer/Paint program which lets me clean up the borders of my pictures, label them, store them and share them with all my coloring friends.

What are some of your favorite coloring books, artists, and styles of coloring art?

My favorite artist is Christine Aldridge; but I love the work of so many others, including Deborah McDonald, Rick St. Dennis Mfa, Jason Hamilton, Jenny Luan, Deborah Muller… and Sue Chastain.

What do you look for when choosing a book or piece to color?

Real line drawings… I don’t like boring, repetitious patterns. I also want to know and be able to acknowledge the artist. I will not support Pinterest or any company that does not acknowledge the artists and respect their copyrights. There is too much ‘garbage’ being put out as coloring books by people who don’t even know how to do their own drawing. They just grab stuff off of clip art sites and call it their own.

I have eclectic taste in art that ranges from floral to abstract, from fantasy to realism, from landscape to animals and more. I like to mix it up each day.

What’s your favorite place to color? Do you have any coloring rituals?

I color at my desk which is set up perfectly for the purpose of coloring.

I color every day, sometimes for 8 hours or more. I have limited mobility, due to some medical issues (spine and knee problems). For that reason, I am better off sitting than standing. I am also blessed to have a husband who loves me and encourages me to color as much as I want. I am also blessed to have an income that allows me to spend as much as I do on my art supplies.

Rituals? Just one. My last coloring project of each day is my ‘Picture for God.’ That drawing with an inspirational message becomes my first, posted picture for the next day; and it is my way of showing my love for my Lord. Without Him, I could not even hold a pencil or marker in my hand or even be able to see the beauty around me. He gives me everything that is good in my life. It is the least that I can do for Him.

Do you do anything special with the pictures you color?

With few exceptions, all of my pictures are in 3 ring binders. The binders are set up for individual artists and (in some cases) for individual books, like the Adult Coloring Book Treasury…which was my introduction for many of my new favorite artists, like Jenny Luan and Sue Chastain.

Would you share a favorite color palette?

All colors…though I do tend to lean in the direction of the hotter tones (from rich gold to red); but then, I also love greens and blues too. Of course, lavenders and pinks are so nice. Forget it! I love them ALL!

What tip or piece of advice would you give to someone just getting into coloring?

Don’t try to compare yourself to others. You will never be happy with anything that you do, if you are constantly trying to live up to someone else. Just relax…pick up a color of pen, pencil, marker…whatever…and start.

You will make mistakes. I color outside the lines all the time. Who cares? Coloring is not supposed to be perfect. It is supposed to be FUN.

What coloring groups, websites, or resources do you recommend?

Coloring Books for Adults group is where I started. I also belong to The Creative Coloring Group and I serve as a colorist on the Color On Magazine team.

Sue is 71 and lives in Selma, California. From Sue: “I am so glad that coloring is now respected as a suitable activity for adults and that the world is learning how much joy and peace can be achieved while creating something of beauty.“

Thank you for taking the time to answer this interview, Sue! I’ve enjoyed learning your story and I could not resist adding this extra gallery of your amazing OrnaMENTALs coloring! – (the other) SC

For more from Sue, please see the gallery of her coloring progression on “Summer Refreshment,” the watermelon picture from my Summer Delights bundle. Or visit her art page on Facebook: Sue Curry Art

Feel Good Words Digital Editions

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