If you had to pick three life moments that made you who you are today, what would they be?

1. When my father abandoned the family, I understood that nothing automatically equates to wisdom nor empathy. It is always a decision to be kind.

2. I backpacked solo for the first time at 19 years old. I hitchhiked, slept in the woods with strangers, and harnessed responsible-recklessness.

3. While taking care of my black cat Momo through his last days in 2024, I understood that time is all we have and became much more intentional with where I dedicate my time and energy.

What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?

I don’t post much on social media anymore. Contrary to my prior and popular belief, it was a pleasant surprise to see that focusing on the craft, my website, and direct client outreach really paid off. My cold emails finally struck a spark with i2i Art Inc. in 2024, bringing my six-year struggle in freelancing to fruitful new beginnings.

Do you have a unique hobby or obsession?

I practice mental sketching. One of my professors at Dawson College taught us to constantly practice observational drawing in our mind. When I’m waiting for a bus, walking somewhere, there is always something worth noticing. Thanks for the lifelong pastime, Ed!

How would you describe your aesthetic to someone who has never seen your work?

Rich, emotional, sincere, and intimate. Painterly realism. Magically mundane.

Can you share a bit about the process of creating your winning image, from the initial seed of the idea to the final version?

Every editorial project starts with a deep reading of the article. I pay close attention to the nuances in between the lines, and listen to the authors’ intent. Digging with genuine curiosity often reveals interesting concepts and material that ensure my visual translations do the writing justice.

Georgann Eubanks, the author behind my winning piece, emphatically preaches the importance of environmental preservation. Her passionate recounting of snow geese rising in thousands at Pocosin Lake didn’t just invite me into the text—it felt as if the sheer wonder of her experience exploded outward from the pages. For the final rendering, I propped up a book at the library to create the perfect floating reference.

Who is inspiring you these days? Who should more people know about?

1. 陳康俊 Peter Chan Hong Tsun’s masterful paintings ooze of precision and deliberation, bringing me straight home like that scene in Ratatouille.

2. Pierre Inglebert is a wonderfully sensitive photographer and award-winning cinéaste from Cannes, France. His patience and empathy carve out ample space for his subjects, creating a breathing body of living work that calmly observes the beautiful multitudes of humanity.

3. 門小雷 Little Thunder is an inspiringly prolific Hong Kong illustrator who crafts poetic dedications to bold, delicate femininity and our city’s irresistible heritage. I love how she masterfully combines surrealism and signature Hong Kong aesthetics to create her signature touch of nostalgia and identity.

4. 王元曜 Benjamin Law is a pioneering DJ/producer proudly innovating Hong Kong soundscapes, weaving Cantonese with ballroom and New York City queer culture. He originated Hong Kong vogue beats and Cantonese vogue chants such as 一蚊雞/One Dollar C*nt, an unserious and fun play on iconic everyday Cantonese phrases.

5. 黃進曦 Stephen Wong Chun Hei “If someone thinks of me while gazing upon a mountain, that is already enough.”

What is the most interesting thing you’ve seen, heard or experienced recently?

In December 2025, I attended the once-a-decade Tai Ping Ching Chiu festivals in Kam Tin and Sha Tin, Hong Kong. The massive, traditional bamboo theatres spanning 40,000 square meters built by 17 masters were recognized by the Guinness World Records. Everyone came to revel in the Taoist rituals for peace and purification, Cantonese opera, lion dancing, and dragon parades. I joined the final procession in Sha Tin to conclude the festivities, where the whole crowd excitedly, but quietly walked a giant paper-mache deity statue to its final destiny of being burnt down in an open lot. It was an unforgettable experience of Hong Kong tradition and living history.

Describe an artwork that you currently have displayed in your home. Who made it, what does it look like, and what do you like about it?

I have 3 oil pastel urban sketches that I bought from a young artist in Nice, France. They are beautifully gestural, charged with life, and freely colourful. She sold these originals together for 15 euros only. They remind me that value is what you make of it. If the act of creation brings joy, I will put my best foot forward.

What’s one piece of good advice someone gave you, and who said it?

“Just breathing isn’t living!” – Pollyanna, my favourite, formative childhood novel by Eleanor H. Porter

What is one thing you want to accomplish this next year?

I want to make time for personal work. I love pouring my heart into thoughtful commissions, and I’d like to channel that strategic intentionality into a more internal, private space. Preferably something that celebrates my roots.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime?

I hope to get accepted into the Grand Canyon Artist in Residence program. My last application made it through to the second round, so I won’t be giving up!

Andrea Cheung’s Website

Andrea Cheung on Instagram