Hey its Sarah Surprise, Children’s book illustrator

Sarah Surprise is a textile designer and illustrator based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2020 with a BFA in Textile Design. She fuses textiles and painting together by using natural dye techniques, then applies watercolors to the surface to create magical critters and landscapes. Sarah is apart of SCBWI NM and The Good Ship Illustration.

After graduating, I worked for several years in the textile industry. When I started to paint more on the side, I began to experiment with eco printing. Eco Printing is a technique of imprinting natural material and natural dyeing paper. At first my prints were very spontaneous, splotches of flowers and leaves covered the paper. Overtime, I have crafted my own process to have more control over the wild ways of natural dyeing, but still leave room for magic happen.

Eco printing swatches
Children’s book illustration Process, eco printing and watercolor
“Who is Abigail Wood”, painted with water color and eco printing.

FAQ

Where do you source your materials?

For watercolors I use handmade paints from L’Ecole Des Beaux Arts in Santa Fe,NM and Case of Making in San Francisco. Natural dye extracts are from Maiwa and natural materials like flowers and leaves are from my garden or hikes through out the year.

What is currently inspiring you?

I am inspired by folk art, especially from New Mexico. One of my favorite places is the International Folk Art Museum. I’m also inspired by folk lore and traditional fairy tales, I’m enchanted by ones set in dark forests or having mischievous nature spirits involved.

What projects do you like to work on?

I love to illustrate book covers and children’s books, both middle grade and picture books. I like to fill my illustrations with lots of “Easter eggs” so every time there is something new to discover.

Thanks for stopping by!

If you would like to work with me on a future project or have a good ghost story please reach out. I will be setting up a store soon, in the meantime sign up below to receive emails on my latest updates.