ABOUT THE ARTIST
Sue, a British born and trained midwife, with a Diploma in Creative Arts (Brisbane 1981), is highly regarded in the art of portraiture. In 1987 she began sketching newborn infants at the Royal Women's Hospital, Brisbane, and slowly expanded until every maternity hospital welcomed her services. Sue also worked through SANDS both in Australia and Britain, sketching those babies who were not so fortunate, and it is in this area where her focus now lies. Sue is able to produce a likeness of your baby in soft pastel colour or in pencil. She is aware of the comfort her work brings to bereaved parents and receives many touching letters. Sue now lives in a beautiful log cabin on her property near the Snowy Mountains, her self imposed isolation making it possible to work from photographs only.

REQUIREMENTS
All Sue needs is a photograph of your baby, a small selection would be better; copies, as they are very precious. It's preferable that the baby's features are fairly clear so that a good likeness can be established, however it is still possible to work with unclear photographs, if that's all you have. Bruises and other marks are, naturally, omitted and normal skin tones are portrayed. The drapes and suggestion of clothing in the completed portraits are the product of artistic imagination. Sue's ultimate intention is to provide you with an image of a sleeping peaceful baby, as your baby would have appeared had circumstances been different, yet she tries hard to keep within the boundaries of reality as much as possible. Occasionally, when no photographs are available, Sue has been able to create a 'symbolic' portrait by using snaps of both parents as babies, thereby producing a composite of the two.

MULTIPLE BIRTHS
When a double tragedy had occurred and one or more of twins or triplets are lost, then Sue is able to portray the babies all together in one portrait.

BROTHERS AND SISTERS
Once you have received your portrait, you may wish to send baby photographs of other children you have, to complete the family gallery. Sue now hears from past clients who have gone on to have healthy pregnancies. These are letters of pride and joy, and she takes great pleasure in being involved in the happy outcomes.

FAMILY PORTRAITS
Using separate photographs, larger works can be undertaken featuring other family members, e.g. brothers and sisters.

BABY'S NAME
If you wish Sue to put your baby's name on the portrait, please let her know when you write, and be sure to print the name clearly so no mistakes are made.

ABOUT THE MEDIUM
Sue works mostly in pastels, a soft chalk which enhances the natural skin tones of her small subjects. It has the reputation of retaining its original colour tones, and never fades. Top quality pastel paper is always used. Pencil sketches have the additional advantage of being able to be placed directly next to glass without incurring harm - this makes it easier and less expensive to frame. Again, top quality paper is used, 100gsm thickness.

SIZE
Single-subject pencil sketches are A4 size. However, these may be larger of smaller, or made to fit a particular frame size. Pastel portraits are larger, approximately 35 x 25cms. They will have been protected with a fixative spray but, for total protection, should be professionally framed as soon as possible.

PHOTOCOPYING
Pastel portraits will photocopy exceptionally well, besides, you have the added advantage of having the finished work either reduced for desk top display, or enlarged to full A3 size. Your local photocopying firm may also be able to provide you with a set of wallet-sized copies.

CONTACT DETAILS
If you have any questions, Sue would be happy to have you call her, anytime. Please note that due to her isolated home area, her phone is a solar powered satellite connection and depends on sunshine; so don't worry if you can't get through during poor whether.