About Sue Todd

Experience

Sue Todd is an award-winning illustrator with more than 20 years of experience creating art for advertising, packaging, children’s and adult publishing, public art, festival posters and tarot game cards.

She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Canadian Association of Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP).

Based in Toronto, Sue is a year-round cyclist who delivers Meals on 2 Wheels once a week. Sue’s work is both her hobby and passion and she creates illustrations in 2 styles: traditional hand-carved linocut; and digital line art in black and white and color.

In addition to commissioned illustration, Sue is writing and illustrating her own stories for children, all works-in-progress, in the form of picture books and graphic novels with historical themes. She especially loves researching inspiring women who have challenged patriarchy and changed the world in big and small ways.

Expertise

Sue specializes in children’s illustration and has created art for 15 books for various publishers including, Orca Book Publishers, Fitzhenry & Whiteside, Andrews McMeel and Scholastic Canada. Her latest picture book, BLUE BOAT HOME, by Peter Mayer for Skinner House Books, was created using her new digital line art style.

Sue is an authority on illustrating street performers, festivals and theatre arts. She has illustrated posters and signage for 10 years for the former Detroit Festival of the Arts, and 20 years for The Waterloo Busker Carnival. For the past 7 years, Sue has created images for Carousel Players, a theatre for young people.

Sue’s linocut technique of black line with bright color evokes stained glass, making it appealing for religious and spiritual themes. Sue has been commissioned to create art for Catholic educational textbooks by Pearson Education Canada in addition to books and church bulletins for LTP (Liturgical Training Publications) and editorial illustrations, holy cards and flash drives for other religious publishers.

Testimonials & Trust

Sue Todd has earned the trust of clients in North America and Europe by her willingness to collaborate, her professional attitude and adherence to deadlines without compromising quality. She has had many repeat clients over the years.

“Sue has supported the Waterloo Busker Carnival for many, many years, doing the artwork for our annual event each year, which in 2023 celebrated our 35th anniversary. She has been an absolute pleasure to work with, as she has taken the information we shared about our performers for that year and created an amazing piece of artwork each year that we use for t-shirts, marketing material and swag items to give away. The artwork has always been fun, creative and conveys the brand and message we wanted.

Sue has been very responsive to inquiries and feedback, always delivered in advance of due dates, is very easy to communicate with, both verbally and in writing, and is very easy to approach to have a conversation . She definitely has a passion for what she does, but also ensures that the product she delivers meets or exceeds the client’s expectations, which I can tell you she always does. “

Randy Warren, Chair, Waterloo Busker Carnival Inc.

“When working with Sue as an illustrator, I have always been impressed by the way she is able to translate ideas and themes into visual images that convey the essence of story and character. All while capturing a sense of play and whimsy! Sue has been a great collaborator, working within deadlines, and accepting and responding to feedback in a timely and professional manner. Our company’s image has flourished with her help.”

Monica Dufault, Artistic Director, Carousel Players