Studio Stories—Yvette Sutton

Yvette Sutton has been drawing for almost 60 years, ever since she could pick up a pencil. 

She attended Grand View University for commercial and graphic arts with a minor in business. But as she recalls, “There was really no art here in Des Moines in 1986, so I went with my minor to start a career.” Yvette eventually went back to school for education at Drake University.

“I wanted my kids to see people who looked like them [teaching].”

Between raising her seven children and working full time, Yvette took two decades off from drawing. It wasn’t until 10 years ago when her kids purchased a table for her that she started again. 

“I sat down and started drawing right away,” she said. “I call it a God-given talent. It’s just something I just picked it up to do.” 

Yvette uses a variety of mediums in her artwork like painting, markers, watercolor, woodburning and diamond art. 

“I’m not going to limit myself on what I can do. I like to choose which medium to work with based on the message I want to convey.”

She even does custom shoe painting with her son and his sneaker business. And is business partners with her older brother Tony for Suttons Creations. 

Her reach extends beyond Des Moines, too. Phoenix Mercury coaches, a professional women’s basketball team, wear her custom-painted sneakers. And Yvette’s childhood friend showed Magic Johnson (her friend’s cousin) a shirt Yvette created with a Kobe Bryant drawing, and he asked to get one for himself. 

When she’s not working on art, she’s a Resident Assistant at The Beacon, a client-centered living environment that supports adult women who have experienced trauma and systemic inequity.

“Luckily, I can draw at my work, too. During Saturday Socials, I bring art materials so the residents can all do an art activity together as a group.”

When Yvette works with groups, she likes to remind people that things don’t have to be perfect, something that she takes to heart, too. 

“I’ve never thrown a piece of art away because even if it’s not what I’m going for at the time, it might turn into something else.”

That mindset mirrors how Yvette approaches her life and her art, too.

“Enjoy yourself. Don’t make it a chore.”

Yvette Sutton

Studio 257