Hong Kong artist Cheryl Young’s illustrated world of cosy, anime streetscapes feature an endless cascade of hamsters – because there can never be too many. Her art is so chilled out it deserves its own special genre of music. Content Catnip recently caught up with Cheryl for a chat about her charming and endearing art, anime and illustrations and the inspiration behind them.
I never consciously decided to be an artist, I just started drawing in preschool and never looked back…
I had the fortune of attending an art studio for 13 years since I was in preschool, but pursing it professionally came about during college, as well as finding the things I loved drawing after graduating. Now I’m here and still drawing so I think that’s a good thing.
I would go stir crazy drawing in silence without music…
My favourite songs are often from Japanese singers Aimer, the band ONE OK ROCK, and sakanaction.
Drawing is a zen mode of problem-solving…
I just start drawing and keep going until I finish, haha. Once I start, I don’t stop until I hit a checkpoint or finish (with breaks in between). Whenever I get the chance, I use gel pens. However I also use Clip studio for digital a lot
I draw influence from voxel art, games, manga, comics, animation, and every other creative avenue in existence. There’s always an element of storytelling in these mediums that makes me excited to create.
I’ve always gone for drawing hamsters in the backgrounds…
But I don’t have any favourite creation in particular. I enjoy the feeling of figuring out and problem-solving in environments. I want them to look structurally cohesive, this is more important to me than the product that comes out. Once I finish one thing I go onto the next and see how I can change it up this time.
My current influences are Sachin Teng, Anthony Holden, Jake Wyattriot, waneella, and forever my favourite professor, Mia Goodwin.
At the moment I’m available for freelance work…
Right now I’m preparing an illustration series for inktober! Other than that, I’m attending STGCC in Singapore at the end of the year, and CWHK48 in Hong Kong next month. My freelance rates are from $500 – $1000 depending on project requirements. In the meantime you can reach me here @Cysketch and on my website.
Content Catnip 