Susanna Blunt on Art, Coins, and Capturing a Queen: An Exclusive Interview
Renowned Canadian artist Susanna Blunt shares her journey from child prodigy to designing coins—and painting Queen Elizabeth—during this fascinating World Coin News interview.
Since beginning her artistic career at age 3, Canadian artist Susanna Blunt has mastered many art forms: sculpture, print, contemporary mixed media, and portraiture, all of which she exhibits internationally. Through her portrait work, Blunt captures the likeness of many well-known celebrities and politicians, including Queen Elizabeth.
Blunt's portrait of the Queen, sans crown, was chosen as the featured design for all obverses of Canadian coins from 2004 to 2023. The artist has also designed a vast number of coins that feature her artistic creativity, including a limited edition 2004 silver dollar that cemented her as the first Canadian artist to be featured on both sides of a coin.
Inspired by all Blunt has accomplished, World Coin News interviewed the artist about her fascinating career.
*World Coin News (WCN): When did you start creating art?
Susanna Blunt (SB): When I was 3, my mind was made up, and I never changed it.
WCN: Do you have any inspirations or philosophies that you follow in your artwork?
SB: To follow the works of truly brilliant artists in every venue. To always be an explorer and use what is revealed to me with integrity and curiosity. Most importantly, never have any sort of ego. One must be humble at all times and grateful for any insight, big or small. Art is not an expression of self or one's own emotions. It is about discovering emotions you never knew existed, allowing everything you touch to give birth to itself, and then just celebrate its being.
I did and still do many forms of art in many mediums. Coin art is an entirely different thing, with its own rules and intentions. So, my comments here about art are not inclusive of coins as being the sort of art I have followed and made before, during, and after (my) coin design period.
WCN: What is it like to paint portraits of politicians and royals?
SB: For any big VIP, it is important to do the work more perfectly than ever, so it can be a bit nerve-wracking. So far, so good ….
WCN: Can you describe your experience at the 2002 coin design competition hosted by the Royal Canadian Mint?
SB: I never expected to win, but it was a marvelous surprise. The time given to us was very short, so it was exhausting and stressful. Also (I) had to keep it a secret, so I had to lock my door all the time and pretend I was not there.
WCN: What was your experience like at the other coin competitions you won?
SB: No celebrations in public or private, just email and thanks. For one company, I actually did a commissioned image for a coin that I personally carved, modeled in clay, (and) cast in plaster instead of a drawing. That way, I was able to do it perfectly and as I wished.
WCN: What is it like to see your work on currency?
SB: Really bizarre! Especially considering how many have been minted, literally billions and billions. I never got used to it. And by the way, the new artist for King Charles is a phenomenon. I have never in my life seen such a great portrait painter. He is the master of masters, world-class big time.
WCN: What was the coin design process like for you?
SB: Entirely new. It was the first time…but I was experienced in ways, like (being) able to do a lot of painting in trompe l'oeil. That made it fine for me to do well.
WCN: What was it like to work with the Royal Canadian Mint?
SB: It was not easy; in fact, many people (were) involved, and some were super nice and some rather more than incompetent.
WCN: Did your work with the Royal Canadian Mint impact your career in any way?
SB: Of course, a bit of fame always helps! But I find it embarrassing sometimes, as well as grateful. Fame is a weird thing.
WCN: Do you ever go to coin shows or conventions?
SB: Yes, I did sometimes. They were fun, especially at the huge international symposium in Shanghai in 2019. I feel closely connected to China. I spoke Chinese fluently, my mother told me. I was born in Harbin, Manchuria, on the top floor of HSBC, an English bank at the time. I never got rich though! Then, I lived in Shanghai until age 3, when I came to Canada for a new life after the war.
WCN: Do you have advice for artists interested in coin design?
SB: Just be prepared to work extra hard all the time. Do not give up even though competition in that field is ferocious. If you do not really love your work passionately enough, you might get too easily discouraged. Now, everyone can use the computer a lot, which would certainly make it easier, but I did not; I had to do it all by hand.
To learn more about Susanna and to see her art, visit bluntart.com.
*Article has been edited for clarity and length.
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