Suzy Ultman

https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts211/v4/c3/9f/02/c39f022a-038b-36e2-5593-88c87be19afb/mza_1186964587704085102.jpg/600x600bb.jpg

Thoughts on Illustration

Tom Froese

66 episodes

2 days ago

Thoughts on Illustration is a bi-weekly podcast about Showing Up and Growing Up as a commercial artist. Join award-winning illustrator and top teacher, Mr. Tom Froese, as he shares valuable tips, insights, and reflections from his own experience as an illustrator. Tom wants to encourage his fellow creatives and help them get further on by sharing in a transparent, accessible way. If you are passionate about unlocking professional and personal creative fulfillment, you are invited to follow along as Tom does the same!

Design

Arts

RSS

All content for Thoughts on Illustration is the property of Tom Froese and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Design

Arts

https://d3t3ozftmdmh3i.cloudfront.net/staging/podcast_uploaded_episode/42558421/42558421-1758174774562-4cb80657c665b.jpg

Suzy Ultman

Thoughts on Illustration

1 hour 45 seconds

1 week ago

Suzy Ultman

What happens when you bravely create from what matters most to you—even when you’re not sure others will understand? In this episode, I talk with artist and author ⁠Suzy Ultman⁠, whose work blends joy, vulnerability, and cultural identity in a way that’s both incredibly specific and widely relatable.

Suzy is the creator of a series of Jewish-themed board books for Penguin Workshop — ⁠I Like Your Chutzpah⁠, ⁠Shabbat Shalom⁠, and It’s a Mitzvah! — and in our conversation, we explore the story behind these books: the experiences that shaped them, the fears Suzy had about putting herself out there, and what it means to lead with joy even when it’s rooted in something much deeper.

IN THIS EPISODE

How Suzy went from client-based work to building a licensing brand around her own voice
Why she was initially afraid to make books that reflected something deeply meaningful to her
Why she sees herself as a bridge (middle child, anyone!?)
What it looks like to make joyful work rooted in meaning, emotionally layered, and honest
Suzy’s advice for artists who want to create from a deeper place but aren’t sure where to start

REFLECTION PROMPT

What’s something you’ve been afraid to share in your creative work — and what might change if you let it in?

SHOW LINKS

Suzy Ultman’s Website — https://www.suzyultman.com/
It’s a Mitzvah! (Penguin Workshop, Sept 2, 2025) https://www.suzyultman.com/shop/p/mitzvahbook
Suzy on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/suzyultman
Paper Doll Parade – Chronicle Books — https://www.suzyultman.com/paper-doll-parade
Friendship Carousel – Chronicle Books — https://www.suzyultman.com/friendship-carousel-bts

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

You can show your appreciation for the Thoughts on Illustration podcast by:

Sharing with your friends on social media
Liking/Following/Subscribing
Leaving a review on Apple Podcasts
Becoming a paid supporter on Patreon — patreon.com/tomfroese

FIND ME ELSEWHERE

Work and Classes — http://www.tomfroese.com
Instagram — http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Daily Drawings — http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant

CREDITS

Music and cues by Mark Allan Falk — http://linktr.ee/semiathletic