Post 9 - Artist Statement & Bio (DRAFTS) - SUZIE BARRETTO

 ARTIST STATEMENT (WORD COUNT ~400)

DRAFT:

My artwork centers on themes of escapism, connection, and complex relationships, often taking place within fantastical worlds. I primarily work in both traditional and digital media– using graphite, gouache, Photoshop, or Illustrator– and I focus heavily on character design and scenery. I’m especially fascinated by what makes a character feel original: how their appearance alone can hint at their personality or backstory, and how the world around them reflects on who they are.

I’ve always been drawn to the emotional storytelling in video games, films, and animated series– specifically the cutesy or laughably absurd ones. Shows like Adventure Time and The Iron Giant had a huge impact on how I view fantasy. As a kid, drawing was my way of stepping into those worlds– copying characters I saw on-screen and eventually creating my own so they could exist in those same worlds I loved. In many ways, I’m still doing that now– just with characters and worlds entirely of my own making.

Representation is also at the heart of what I do. As a first-generation college student and woman of color, I didn’t always feel seen in the media I consumed. That absence stuck with me, and now I intentionally create characters who reflect real-world diversity– characters who are complex, funny, soft, strange, or all of the above. Through my involvement in a first-gen fellowship program, I’ve had a chance to really consider how my background informs my work, and how powerful it can be to make art that helps others feel seen.

My process usually starts with an out-of-nowhere spark; I could be on the bus back home when an idea for a character’s expression, a silly interaction, or an emotional plotline comes to mind and I build from there. Sometimes I just write it down, or go fully digital, sometimes I pull out a sketchbook and let my pencil doodle away what I feel in the moment. Humor plays a big role in what I make, even in the quiet or sentimental scenes. I like to exaggerate emotions, embrace the awkward, and leave room for characters to be authentically cool, or even strange.

Above all, my art is how I make sense of the world and my relationships in it. It helps me give these personal experiences new life. I hope my work feels like a safe place to land– where viewers, especially women of color, can come to escape, share a laugh, and maybe recognize a little bit of themselves in an otherworldly story.

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ARTIST BIO (~100 WORDS)

DRAFT:

Suzie Barretto is a New Jersey-based illustrator and graphic designer currently studying Illustration at New Jersey City University. She works with both traditional dry media and digital platforms like Photoshop, blending everyday humor, fantasy, and personal storytelling through an anime and cartoon-inspired style. During her time in university, she also developed a love for typography, drawn to quirky typefaces and avant-garde layouts.

Growing up in a Latino household helped shape her deep commitment to inclusivity and representation. Her work centers people of color and feminine perspectives, creating realistic characters that often reside in fantasy worlds where diverse stories and identities can feel at home. Through themes of connection, escapism, and emotional relationships, she welcomes viewers to feel seen, have a laugh, and imagine something new.

Currently, she interns as a graphic designer with a federal agency and has previously created work for a nonprofit. While she enjoys design, her true goal is to pursue illustration full-time, focusing on stories that reflect her interests, background, and the happy, silly, and meaningful moments that connect us all.