Published illustrator and stationery and book shop owner
It’s that time again where we’ll be taking you behind the scenes with our favourite local business owners and creatives to find out where they go to eat, what playlist they’re listening to, where they take their out-of-town friends, and ultimately, what makes them tick.
For our 18th instalment of SPILL, we’re catching up with proud Novocastrian, published illustrator and stationery and book shop owner, Susanna Harrison of Paper Caravan.
Susanna Harrison
Firstly, what and where would people across Newcastle recognise you from?
Paper Caravan Stationery, Books & Art at 850 Hunter Street in Newcastle West – right between Leda Gallery and Chiefly West sandwiches.
Where are you from originally?
I grew up and went to school and university here in Newcastle before spending 20 years in Sydney – I’ve been back here with my family for four years.
What made you decide to make Newcastle home?
It’s a fantastic place for my teenage children to grow up. The beaches, the space, and a community that supports each other make it a great place.
What’s your morning ritual?
COFFEE, COFFEE – then probably another COFFEE!
What’s your coffee order?
I’m a simple cappuccino gal.
Speaking of coffee, which local venue knows your order off by heart?
Close to work it’s Morning Market Coffee. Close to home it’s Hubro.
Tell me about your biggest career highlight…
Illustration work through my New York based agent – I get to regularly accompany articles in publications like The Wall St Journal and have illustrated a children’s book by John Cena with Random House.
In your spare time, what are your THREE top favourite things to do in Newcastle?
1. Sunset picnic looking over Bar Beach
2. Dusk summertime swims in the baths
3. Trawling Newcastle’s second-hand stores and op shops
If you wanted to dazzle your out-of-town friends and family, where would you take them?
They get all of the above plus a swim in the Bogey Hole. Funnily enough, they are always impressed with Harris Farm Markets.
Beer? Wine? Cocktail? Mocktail? What is your tipple of choice and where do you frequently visit?
After work at Romberg’s for a special treat.
On the daily, what’s guaranteed to make you smile?
The lovely array of fellow stationery lovers that come into our store!
What do you NEVER leave the house without?
My iPad for drawing on the go – I can do as little or as much as I want on a job, and it’s there for those ideas I need to quickly sketch before I forget!
We’re all about keeping it local here at HUNTERhunter – tell me THREE of your favourite local businesses that you live and breathe by and why you couldn’t live without them…
Stoned Saint Moon always has a beautiful selection of vintage and are super-lovely to boot; I love all the amazing people at The Creator Incubator; and the always incredible food at Cantina Kafe.
What are you reading / watching / listening to now?
I always try to listen to The Daily podcast for a news fix, loved watching Nobody Wants This recently, and am going through a peaceful piano phase at the shop lately!
If you’re needing a short break away from Newcastle, where do you go and why?
Always back to my old stomping ground of Surry Hills in Sydney.
What’s your go-to playlist?
What would you like to see more of in Newcastle?
That everyone realises the vibrant eclectic city we all want Newcastle to be relies on supporting small shops and businesses.
Lucky last – who would you recommend we interview next for SPILL?
Nina from Cantina of course!
