Catherine Chan• Fall 2024
Catherine Chan (@ohmyartchan) is a Toronto-based illustrator who transitioned from a background in project management and technology into the creative world after much deliberation.
Originally from Hong Kong and raised in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Catherine is passionate about bringing stories to life and conveying meaningful messages through her illustrations. Her work delves into her relationships as an immigrant, a mother, and a lifelong learner.
When she’s not creating, you will find her spending time with her family, cooking, biking, watching movies, and playing board games.
Keep reading to learn more about Catherine and her creative journey so far!
Can you share a bit about your art journey and what inspired you to pursue illustration?
I started my illustration journey later in life. Before this, I was actually in technology as a project manager, probably doing that for 15 years. Then I had the kids and was thinking, “Is this still serving me? Is this what I want to do?” If I tell my kids to do something they like and follow their passion, why am I not doing that myself? So I figured, if not now, when? Having kids changes your perspective on how you want to live your own life. To give up a very steady paycheque and move on to something you’re not sure about is definitely scary, but I had a really good support system so I was able to take that leap.
I made the switch after having my second child by enrolling as a mature student in the Illustration program at OCAD University. As a person who likes being organized and having a plan, it worked for me. Some people would say, “Why do you even need to go back to school?” but it gave me the structure and foundation to make illustration a career.
What sparked your interest in illustration?
I’ve always loved art growing up— I enjoyed seeing different types of visual arts being explored to deliver a message, whether through a commercial or branding, so I thought this is something that works well with me. I think I’d be too scared to present at a gallery so I think this is something that can reach more people in mediums like magazines, books, and menu art.
How would you describe your art style and how long did it take you to develop it?
Three words I would use are narrative, whimsical, and authentic. I started seeing my style emerge during my final year at OCAD, as I was doing my thesis with Jon Todd. I feel like my style is still evolving as I create more work and I’m always happy to see a change.
What are the important tools you use in your daily work?
I use the Wacom tablet, laptop, and sketch book.
Can you describe the process you take when creating illustrations for a whole book (e.g. Open Science)? What is the most challenging part?
There’s a lot of research and ideation that takes place first, but for me, it’s all about getting started right away and iterating through the ideas. I have to always try and get the bad ideas out first before the good ones can come, and I feel like it’s great to have an open dialogue with the art director and consider their feedback and make the changes that are necessary to arrive at the final product.
Open Science illustrations by Catherine
Can you talk more about your program and experience at OCAD?
It was a 4 year program (BDes - Illustration), and I had a few transfer credits from my previous degree at the University of Toronto. It all happened during COVID, so luckily I was able to do things part-time and didn’t need to take the full course load. This made it possible for me to manage both the classes and my kids being home from school.
Have you ever run into an artist’s block? If so, where do you turn to for inspiration?
Artist block happens to everybody, even for me too. Sometimes going for a walk or taking a break clears it, but I also like to run my ideas through my kids because they give very specific critique on my work - if something’s not working, they’re not afraid to tell me.
Which of your work is your favourite so far?
Right now, I really enjoy doing the Globe and Mail First Person articles. Those assignments usually come every week with quite a short turnaround, but it’s a great weekly exercise that keeps me creating.
Globe and Mail First Person illustrations by Catherine
Who is your biggest inspiration or illustration idol?
As a child of the 80s growing up in Hong Kong, I would have to say Hayao Miyazaki. Castle in the Sky (1986) comes to mind, its themes around nature and technology still resonate today.
What's your dream client or project?
I just went to Denmark as a family this summer and had the opportunity to visit the H.C. Andersen House by the architect Kengo Kuma. H.C. Andersen wrote many famous fairy tales like the Ugly Duckling and the Little Mermaid. So in the museum, there were these gorgeous, most stunning illustrations by the artist Sandra Rilova. She used illustration to showcase his work and life, and I immediately turned to my family and said, “How cool would it be to get hired to do something like this?”
Do you think any of your kids will want to pursue a career in art?
I don’t know but I’m always open to them doing more things with illustration as a way of expression. So maybe, but no push in any direction. Sometimes when my kids get art homework, I take a little bit too much of an art director role with them.
Work by Catherine's children
Can you tell us more about your inspiration behind the 2024 Fall Menu art and what messages you wanted to convey?
I knew we wanted to make it feel nostalgic since we’re celebrating the 35th anniversary, and there were a lot of different elements we wanted to include and cram in. So I took inspiration from the picture books I liked reading when I was a kid like Where’s Waldo and TinTin, to make sure everything could be incorporated but still feel cohesive.
What's your ideal creative environment? Do you listen to anything in the background - music, podcasts, movies? Do you have favorites that you recommend?
I like to listen to a lot of Philip Glass when I’m working, so it’s mostly piano atmospheric music. I can’t watch a movie or show because I just feel like it’s too much of a distraction. Right now, I'm watching Pachinko and it has a lot of subtitles, so it’s not something where I can be working on my own art and watching that type of show. But it definitely has amazing production and really great character development.
If you can give a piece of advice to anyone new in the industry what would it be?
I think everyone’s art journey is really different. I still remember in my first year of university a lot of students would ask professors, “how do you find your style?” I think the most important thing is: don’t worry about finding your style, just keep on creating work and the style will eventually emerge over time.
