Writer, Sarah Bell and illustrator, Nicola Sutherland are the creative duo behind Sutherland Bell. Friends for many years, it seemed natural to create The Green Man & the Raven’s Quest together, taking inspiration from nature and their love of folklore, myths and legends. With global warming, polluted seas and tides of trash increasing, both felt the need to weave a stark ecological warning into the fable.
The Green Man & the Raven’s Quest began when Sarah collaborated on a script for Acorn Music Theatre Company’s production of The Green Man & Other Fables. Encouraged by Gail Rosier, Acorn’s creative director, and the success of the productions at White Pond Farm and Blenheim Palace, Sarah set about turning her poems into a more adult fable. With the recent loss of her father, the theme of attempting to hold back death seemed a natural one. Realising that a fable without illustrations would be like a Siren without a song, Sarah asked Nicola to illustrate a couple of poems and the Raven’s Quest took flight.
