Sue Doeksen on childhood joy, matchbox textures, and finding focus in the day

From theatre posters at school to sketching in A3 notebooks, Sue Doeksen has always followed her instinct for making. Now based on a former WWII airfield near Arnhem, she shares a quiet studio with views of open skies, where she creates illustrations that are playful, purposeful, and often personal. Her new collection for Evermade draws on the bold, graphic language she’s shaped over years of working across print, collage, and 3D forms.

Sue talks us through how she structures her day, why she works small to think big, and how a sense of joy (and a little bit of nostalgia) runs through everything she makes.

How and why did you become an artist?

As a kid I was often drawing, 2d, 3d. And at high school I drew for the school newspaper, and for example did the poster and the backdrop for the school theatre show, or CD covers for local bands. Whilst on tour for future studies the big university buildings with its lecture halls scared me, as did the thick books without pictures. I decided to have fun, and go to art school for one year and then decide. I never did, and have been a freelance designer/illustrator ever since. I have been part of a collective and often collaborate with others.

What emotions do you hope your art evokes in people?

I make a variety of work, this series for Evermade is very happy and lighthearted- and that is what I hope it will do, cheer people up, create a smile. On the other hand, there is a lot going on in the world, things to worry about. That is why I also create work that speaks up about this. I hope that the illustrations, happy, sad, odd, puzzling evoke a thought or an emotion. And distills things in our complex, busy life.

What materials or tools are essential to your work, and what’s your favourite medium to use?

I used to use either paper cuts or make drawings with black ink. Now I draw by pencil and trace these very small illustrations by zooming in very far, but you I still use the method of paper cuts, working with colour blocks. I still do freehand drawings with black ink a nice alternative to tracing on the computer, or create mobiles or other small 3d works with wood, paper, paint. It all depends on the assignment, ideas and mood.

What do you see when you look out of your studio window? Does your studio environment or local area influence your work?

I used to work in an ‘art city’ a village of studios in a former shipping wharf. My view was other people and studios, doing a zillion different things, very inspiring! Now my view is of a meadow, close to forests and I see a lot of sky - a view which is ever changing. I live on a former Second World War airport, along with creatives who also have studios in or next to their house. It’s more quiet, but also inspiring - in another way.

Can you describe a typical day in your studio, including any rituals or routines that help you feel most creative?

I try make a list at the start of the day - after coffee. I do small stones (tasks that add up to max one hour) and a rock (big task of about 2-3 hours) in the morning. And the same in the afternoon. I get distracted easily, so when I am in the zone, I prefer to stay there. Loud music helps with this and shutting the mail and social media.

What’s on your studio playlist, or do you prefer working in silence?

I have a work playlist with 826 songs on it. You will find it if you look for Sue Doeksen and then Hagelslag (chocolate sprinkles in Dutch).

Your new collection with Evermade features matchbox-style textures. What inspired this idea?

The theme’s for the cards were simple and strong (for example a card to celebrate a birthday). I often long for the past, for my care free child hood era - so diving into a style and simple strong visual elements that have a feeling of nostalgia, seemed quite fit.

Can you walk us through your creative process for one of your new designs for Evermade?

I sketch in a big A3 book, per option I make multiple little sketches. They are no more than 4-6 cm high. I then take photographs, zoom in, trace, and play around with colour, shape and composition. After that I add the matchbook effect.

What would you say is the proudest moment of your artistic career so far?

There have been moments where I could make and show personal work. These smaller exhibitions were really fun to do, derive from a feeling, thought and story, with time for ideas and illustrations to evolve. I am proud, when sometimes even years later, a client asks you for a nice assignment, based a on something made from the heart. I am proud that any artist/freelancer has and takes the freedom and makes the effort to explore (the unknown), to struggle and create something new.

Are there any up-and-coming artists whose work you admire? What draws you to their art?

I knew Zeloot’s work from when I was graduating at art art school, she makes magnificent sikscreens. I rediscovered her in the past year she uses her talent to speak up about injustice. Her images are strong and make impact on different levels. As designers we have the image as a tool to not only put into use for personal or commercial work but also to make a positive difference.
@zelootillustrations

Till 2023 I gave illustration at the University of Arts in Utrecht. There was so much talent! Here a tiny portion of illustrators that then till now have a continuous waterfall of triggering imagery, that already then, was so full of their own, mind, heart, way of storytelling. They seem to have an endless pleasure in creating.
@bobmollema, @aafkebouman, @philip_lindeman, and @studio.ski

Alongside the new greeting cards, Sue has also created five art prints that expand on the same joyful themes. Each print draws from the visual language of the card series' bold colours, playful forms, and nostalgic texture, offering a larger, frameable take on her expressive world. Perfect on their own, or paired as a set.

Sue Doeksen’s playful new card collection for Evermade channels nostalgia, texture, and emotion in equal measure. You can explore the full range here.

Photography by @jeroen_musch 
Portrait by @michelemargot