Suzanne Duranceau

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Montreal artist Suzanne Duranceau has developed her illustration skills as a freelance illustrator since beginning her career in the mid-1970s. Praised for her highly detailed paintings, and her engaging depiction of natural subjects, she has received numerous awards for her work and has designed over thirteen Canadian postage stamps. Duranceau has an extensive client list and has illustrated books for a variety of authors, among them Piece of Jungle, by Sarah Weeks, Millicent and the Wind, by Robert Munsch, and Hickory, Dickory, Dock, by Robin Muller.
 
Duranceau's illustrations in the picture book Piece of Jungle are large double-spread paintings depicting animals in the rainforest. Booklist critic Helen Rosenberg acclaimed the artist's "beautiful color illustrations" as "the strength of the book, effectively portraying the lushness of the rainforest and the myriad creatures living there." With the aid of Duranceau's detailed paintings "children will get a sense of diversity of the jungle," the critic added.
 
In Robin Muller's picture book Hickory, Dickory, Dock Duranceau once again amuses young bookworms, this time portraying the classic nursery rhyme though "action-packed paintings" according to Janice Del Negro in Booklist. "Duranceau's opulent, detailed paintings combine realistic figures with oddly surreal touches, such as a cow jumping out of a painting and a trio of Dali-inspired melting watches," added a Publishers Weekly critic, commenting on the artist's use of a "luxurious," highly contrasting palette.