Discover the vibrant and magical world of Sue Dawe, a fantasy artist whose retro artwork grew to household popularity in the 1990s, and captures the imagination of every Lisa Frank fan. Explore her iconic art and legacy.
Who is Sue Dawe Fantasy Artist?
Sue Dawe, is a celebrated fantasy artist who had a rise in popularity through the 1980s and 1990s. Specifically, illustrating a generation of kids folders and back to school supplies in the early 1990s. Known for her captivating and whimsical creations that transport viewers into fantastical realms. Her artwork, characterized by vibrant colors and intricate details, often features mystical creatures like unicorns, dragons, and ethereal landscapes that ignite the imagination. Dawe's distinctive style not only carved out a niche for her in the fantasy art community but also garnered a devoted following among fans of similar artists like Lisa Frank. Through her enchanting illustrations, Sue Dawe has made an indelible mark on the art world, inspiring countless enthusiasts and artists with her visionary approach to fantasy. I've personally found several Sue Dawe art pieces throughout my lifetime of thrifting and had her art hanging on my walls for decades.
A Sue Dawe print of a Rainbow feathered Swain with Crystal Castles looming in the background. Available online or in person at The Cat Vintage.
Today you can find Sue Dawe on her Facebook page: Sue Dawe Enchantments, or on her website where you can browse her latest illustrations. I'm personally obsessed with the sweatshirt she announced recently on her facebook page. It's the perfect blend of 1980s fantasy art nostalgia, and comfy looking sweatshirt.
UPDATE: There is a WHOLE COLLECTION of Sue Dawe apparel via Vapor 95. I am obsessed!
Mother and baby unicorn art by Sue Dawe. Resin on wood plaque. Available online or in person at The Cat Vintage.
What is Retro Fantasy Art?
The retro fantasy art landscape was popular between the 1970s - 1990s. In America it was a vibrant and imaginative era, marked by the emergence of artists like Lisa Frank and Sue Dawe who brought magical worlds to life with their distinctive styles. During this era, there was a significant cultural emphasis on bold colors, playful designs, and imaginative themes, driven in part by the rise of neon fashion, animated television shows, and fantasy films. This period also saw a surge in popularity for fantastical and surreal imagery, characterized by bold, vivid colors and whimsical themes that captivated audiences of all ages.
Retro Lisa Frank:
Frank Frazetta:
A Frank Frazetta black and white illustration. His more risqué subject matter was more adult themed than Lisa Frank or Sue Dawe.
On the other side of the same universe lived Frank Frazetta; Often hailed as one of the most influential fantasy artists of the 20th century, Frank revolutionized the genre with his dynamic, dramatic, and vividly detailed works. Emerging prominently in the 1960s and 70s, Frazetta's art continued to shape the fantasy landscape through the 1980s and beyond. His paintings, characterized by powerful figures, lush landscapes, and a palpable sense of movement and energy, brought a new level of realism and intensity to fantasy art.
Sue Dawe:
Perhaps the most coveted retro fantasy work by Sue Dawe in the 1980s.
Sue Dawe and Lisa Frank took the same high fantasy artistry of their male predecessors and made it more appealing to the female gaze. It's airy and imaginative subjects are something of a day dream I remember having as a kid. Frank Frazetta's subject matter spoke to more of an adult crowd, often depicting nude women.
The Rise of Lisa Frank in the 1990s
Lisa Frank became a household name with her playful and colorful designs featuring adorable animals and dreamy landscapes, adorning everything from school supplies to stickers. In parallel, Sue Dawe's art resonated deeply with fans who were drawn to her intricate depictions of mythical creatures and ethereal realms. Together, these artists contributed to a rich tapestry of fantasy art that defined a generation, inspiring a sense of wonder and creativity that continues to influence artists and fans today.
A Lisa Frank Club membership sign up form from the early 1990s.
Many adult millennial women can recall how Lisa Frank items were a social status symbol on the playground in the 1990s. The product line of stationary, pens, pencils, folders, trapper keepers, backpacks, stickers, and more were dealt like currency for young girls on the mulch playgrounds with those awful dry wood play structures of the time in rural areas.
I personally remember the days when Lisa Frank stationary and school supplies were sold at Walmart. One of the only larger retailers in our rural area at the time. Going to the store for a few necessities was made that much more exciting knowing you could catch a glimpse of what new Lisa Frank animal landscapes and fun rainbow patterns became available.
In a difficult to find ad for Lisa Frank's 1993 back to school collection.
Uploaded by a reddit user, filled with comments reminiscing on how people loved it so much they wouldn't use it - a common phenomenon amongst early Lisa Frank fans. The strong the fan base still is still active online, pining for a re-release of the original product line.
Today, Lisa Frank's Official TikTok account teases at a comeback, while it's images are continuously licensed to other brands like Loungefly for *almost* perfectly nostalgic releases, that just don't quite hit that sticky original design style. Most of the original dedicated fanbase longs for the days of the white sticker sheets filled with tiny happy characters from the alternate rainbow universe or our past.
If you like Lisa Frank - You'll love Sue Dawe
The two artists were both emerging into the fantasy art scene around the same time, and there are some interesting parallels and overlaps in their artistic styles and themes. Sue Dawe's works were one step closer to a different type of dream to me, and Lisa Frank felt more like a universe of cartoon characters I knew.
Both artists incorporate fantastical elements in their work. Dawe is known for her depictions of unicorns, dragons, and other mythical creatures, while Lisa Frank's artwork often features unicorns, rainbow-colored animals, and whimsical, fantastical scenes. Both artists' work is the use of bright, vivid colors. This bold use of color helps create a sense of magic and wonder in their pieces. Both Dawe and Frank create art that appeals to the imagination, often targeting younger audiences or those with a love for fantasy and whimsy.
This vintage Sue Dawe folder being sold on ebay right now is from the Mead Fantasy collection.
Battle of the 90's Girl Unicorn Folders
Dawe's work is more closely associated with traditional fantasy art and the gaming community, while Lisa Frank was products were branded with her own name and had their own characters. Lisa was not alone in the folder game, however. Mead, who made Trapper Keeper products, licensed Sue Dawes fantasy drawings as part of their childrens back to school lines of products for seven years. Shuffled in with my piles of incomplete homework and Lisa Frank folders were several Sue Dawe pieces as well.
Sue Dawe and Lisa Frank are both amazing retro Fantasy Artists to Collect
As a child I kept my Lisa Frank temporary tattoos inside a wooden music box adorned with Sue Dawe artwork. I still own that same box today. I also have my favorite Jungle Tigers Lisa Frank binder, as well as two kittens in a sneaker figurine. Not to mention my hidden "Markie" the unicorn tattoo, in honor of the only piece of Lisa Frank memorabilia I was able to order when I was once part of the Lisa Frank club. These days I find myself more in the Sue Dawe club, it feels a little more sophisticated to me. But that's just my perspective on this very specific niche of hyper fantasy rainbow artwork from my childhood.
