Sue Dray has illustrated for over 40 years at the start of her career she worked for groundbreaking feminist publications Spare Rib and The Women’s Press, as well as for the gay community: Gay Men’s Press, Gay Pied and Gay News with the work all archived in The British Library.
Through the 80s she’s been published extensively with high profile authors such as Fay Weldon, Margaret Atwood and John Mortimer.
Sue draws backstage for Vivienne Westwood and Andrew Logan’s Alternative Miss World in a signature style that combines strong lines with painterly textures and bright, contrasting colour, focusing on the haptic of creating.
‘Amongst all the hair-coiffing, nail-painting and lip-slicking going on backstage during our Red Label Spring/Summer show, it was a wonderful change in tempo to see fashion illustrator, Sue Dray, capture these moments with serene calm. Sat quietly and unobserved, sketching away she created some beautiful illustrations that brings our collection and the mood backstage to life. These illustrations by Sue Dray tell the story of a fashion show, from start to finish’. Quote VW press release
She is featured drawing backstage in the film ‘Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist released 23 March 2018.
Sue’s current work is producing drawings commissioned exclusively live from the catwalk. She experiments with digital drawing and is sponsored by Apple to showcase their iPad Pro and Apple pencil.
She was the first artist in residence for Fashion Scout SS18 during London Fashion Week painting live from the shows at her easel alongside the press photographers.
Last summer 2018, Sue was Artist in Residence and Creative Contributor at The Villa Lena Arts Foundation in Tuscany, Italy. This gave her the opportunity to explore her work in more detail taking the history and influences of the culture as inspiration. Sue is now painting in oils and taking her art to the next level.
Sue’s teaching history is extensive she has taught in the UK, Paris, Australia and America. She was Course Leader BA (Hons) Fashion Illustration at London College of Fashion for the past 7 years and will continue to contribute as a guest lecturer fuelling and nurturing the next generation of fashion artists.