Susan Brescia is an award winning illustrator and author of The Year the World Stood Still. 

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Sue actually began her journey in musical theatre and cabaret work with performances in summer stock theatre, New York City’s Catch A Rising Star, and a special performance for members of the Royal Family of the Monarchy during the America Cup’s Victory Syndicate Ball. 

Upon obtaining her actor’s equity card, Sue began auditioning for broadway up until the time she was confronted with a life altering disease.

During her late 20’s and early 30’s life was consumed with medical appointments and a diagnosis of a stage 4 rare cancer of the smooth muscle called Leiomyosarcoma.

After treatments Sue decided to forego setting her sights on broadway due to a grim prognosis. It was at that time Sue fell back on her education in Commercial Art and her enjoyment as a self taught musician.

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She held various positions as a Creative Director for several ad agencies and catalog merchants over the course of her professional career. Her work in art direction includes design for SQN Entertainment’s Master Chefs series and for actor and composer Albert Hague, who is best known for his music in the original How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Sue’s design work has been seen in print, television and on-line. She has worked with local politicians, financial institutions, and businesses such as JH Breakell & Co., The Platinum House, Blithewold Mansion and the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council.

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Although Sue is no longer performing in musical theatre, her love for music never waned. She wrote, composed and recorded songs and instrumentals at Lakewest Studios with grammy nominated engineer / producer Jack Gauthier and held benefit concerts to help raise funds for various charities.

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Her illustrative work took center stage when the pandemic blanketed the world. Upon the request from a family member, Sue began drawing again and captured a healthcare worker who passed away from Covid. Sue was so riveted by this, and the many courageous stories, she continued with charcoal in hand. The new journey began and The Year the World Stood Still came to fruition.

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Sue’s commissions and illustrative works can be found in many homes, be it a university professor or the US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, on the walls of a medical student’s dorm room or in a New York city law firm. Each one of her works reflect great emotion and heart.

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Born in New Britain, Connecticut, Sue now lives in Lincoln, Rhode Island where she devotes her time between family, art commissions, freelance work, speaking engagements promoting her book, and juried art festivals / shows.