Sue de Vanny stands out in the art and textile world with her diverse and vibrant works. Her skills span from the meticulous brush strokes needed for fashion doll repaints to the expressive realms of watercolor landscapes, portraiture, photography, dress and bag crafting, and intricate textile artistry. As a largely self-taught artist, Sue has honed her techniques under the guidance of painters like Pat Winnett, Malcolm Beattie, and Edwina Cherry, continuing her development in weekly classes alongside peers in Eltham.
Sue holds a Certificate II in design from the prestigious City and Guilds Institute in London, demonstrating her formal commitment to her craft. Her passion for fabric-based art has grown tremendously, skillfully incorporating traditional painting techniques into her fabric work. This integration results in pieces that showcase her adept manipulation of light, shadow, and texture through expert stitching and layering.
Notably, Sue has embraced fabric painting, dyeing, stamping, and embellishing, bringing her creations to life with exceptional detail. Her partnership with Aurifil as an Aurifil Artisan for three consecutive years—2020, 2021, and 2022—underscores her influence and innovation in textile art.
Sue’s talent for blending multiple mediums has led to some intriguing current exhibitions, continuously surprising and delighting professionals in the art trade with the evolving brilliance of her work. Her growth in confidence and skill is compelling, promising an exciting trajectory in her artistic journey.
Exhibited textile artwork and awards received:
- Diamond Dog – PIQF 2023 -Best Sewing Machine Workmanship. AQS at AQC 2024 – Highly Commended in Modern Quilts, Best Use of Colour & Best Machine Quilting with Mid/Longarm Machine
- Adore – Qld Quilters 2023 – 1st Pictorial
- Overboard- Self Portrait (Mixed Media) – Doug Moran National Portrait Prize 2022 – Semi Finalist
- Born To Be Wild 1st Prize VQ 2022 Pictorial, Major Award Winner (one of 6) 2022 Houston Quilt Festival. 1st Prize Pictorial AQS Branson.
- Creating Magic: AQC challenge 2019, theme Magic. AQS Branson & Des Moines, USA – 1st First time entrant into Des Moines. QuiltNSW Exhibition 2022 – 1st Pictorial.
- Close to Me: Queensland Quilters 2021-4th Pictorial.
- Long Tall Sally: On Line Art Exhibition 2021 – received Special Mention. Victorian Quilters Showcase 2023 – Runner Up to Best of Show! IQF of Houston 2023 – Sold.
- Shape I’m In: Quiltcon 2020 – 3rd place piecing. AQS Branson & Des Moines, USA, 2022. QuiltNSW Exhibition 2022 – Judges Commendation. 1st Innovative Victorian Quilters Showcase 2023. Online exhibit Vibrant Visions HMVC Gallery NY , showcasing in Times Square 2023
- Take a Walk on the Wild Side: Art Quilt Australia Exhibition 2021/2022. Vic Quilters Showcase 2022 – Highly Commended Art Category. International quilt Festival, Houston 2022.
- Kiribu Binte Mflame (Princess): Invited and Exhibited as part of Golden Textures 2021, won Viewers Choice. QuiltNSW Show online 2021. Vic Quilters Showcase 2022 – Runner Up, Innovative Piecing. Quilts Unlimited 2022, View Art Center, NY, USA – Judges Choice.
- She Matters: Exhibited as part of Golden Textures 2019. Convenor’s Award – Vic Quilters Showcase 2019. Finalist World of Beauty, Houston Texas 2019. Currently part of the For the Love of Gaia exhibit virtual tour here from International Quilt Museum . QuiltNSW 2023 – 1st Pictorial, Excellence in Stationary Machine Quilting and Best of Show!,
- Cat Groove: Best Contemporary Quilt & Highly Commended Modern Category – Vic Quilters Showcase 2019. Second Place Modern Quilts Competition PQIF California USA 2019. View 2021 Quilts Unlimited, 2nd place Wall Quilt and Best Machine Quilting. Bernina Academy 2022.
- Foresight to Capture: Part of the Vision 2020 exhibition. QLD Quilters 2022.
- Deceptive Markings: First Prize Art Category – Vic Quilters Showcase 2018. Exhibited Best of the Best 2018 at AQC 2019. Third Prize Best Innovative Quilt 2019. Birmingham 2021
- Water’s Edge: Highly Commended – Coastal Threads 2018. Dare to Differ 2019 Sold
- Bordering Extinction: First Prize – AQC 2018 Challenge Borders and Bridges & Viewers Choice – AQC 2018. Third Prize – Pictorial Category, Sydney Quilt Show 2019, Birmingham 2021. Women Artists Making Their Mark 2022, Beasts Will Show Their Way Exhibition, O’Hanlon Center of the Arts, online.
- Abandoned – FJ Holden: Second Prize – One Red Thread 2018 ‘WeathRED’, Berry Retreat
- Reflection – Harbour Fenders, Cape Town: Highly Commended AQIPP 2017. Second Prize Pictorial – World of Beauty 2018 Houston Texas. Highly Commended – Vic Quilters Showcase 2019. Best Use of Colour – Pacific International Quilt Festival USA 2019 Currently traveling around Europe as part of special exhibition 2019 -22.
- Erte’s Bazaar II: Highly Commended – Victorian Quilters Showcase 2017. Finalist in World of Beauty 2017 Houston Texas. Finalist World Quilt Competition 2018.
- Swept Away: 3rd prize winner at Berry’s Kimberly Dreaming Challenge 2015
- Erte’s Bazaar: Finalist in World of Beauty 2015 Houston Texas and 2nd Prize Art Quilt Category in Dubai International Quilt Show 2016.
- Beginning True: Won Honorable Mention 2015 AQC challenge theme ‘True Blue’ Exhibited around the USA as a finalist World Quilt Competition 2017. Finalist in World of Beauty and in Birmingham Festival of Quilts 2018. Sold in private collection 2018
- Limelight: For challenge Berry’s A World of Colour 2014.
- Showgirl: 1st Prize winner for Berry’s One Red Thread theme Moulin Rouge 2014, Judges Choice in Dubai International Quilt Show 2016
- Sturt’s Stamp: Judges Commendation in Desert Threads challenge 2014, currently touring Australia then Exhibiting in USA October 2015.
- Tram Route No.10: Won viewer’s choice in AQC challenge 2014 theme ‘Ten’ and Best Machine Workmanship, Innovative Category – World Quilt Competition 2015, 3rd in Pictorial section at Festival of Quilts Birmingham 2017. Was on display at 333 Safes in 333 Collins St. Melbourne from 2018 to 2020.
- Time: Finalist in 2011 special exhibit Text on Textiles in Houston toured around USA for 2 years. Won 1st prize Art Quilt category Vic Quilters showcase 2013. Exhibited in 2015 NSW quilters guild and Festival of Quilts Birmingham 2015.