Sherry Cao• Fall 2023
Say hello to our Fall 2023 menu artist Sherry Cao. Fresh out of OCAD University and with a unique comic series under her belt, Sherry sits down with us to share her experiences, inspirations, and dreams.
As a freelance illustrator whose art is reminiscent of vintage picture books, she encapsulates emotions, moments, and stories into each of her creations, drawing readers into her imaginative world.
Read on to learn more about Sherry and the wonderful Fall 2023 Menu Art she has created!
Hi Sherry, tell us a bit about yourself and your art journey so far.
Hi, I am Sherry Cao, I am a freelance illustrator. I was born and raised in the Northeastern part of China, where the Yellow River meets the sea. When I was 11, I moved to Vancouver and finished high school there. I have recently finished my studies in OCAD university, as my graduate project, I challenged myself to attempt at weaving storytelling into my illustrations and created a short comic series Noble Savages.
What sparked your interest in illustration?
When I was little, I was always interested in art. I have read again and again the picture books and comic books my mom bought me, including my favourites Berenstain Bears, Little Mole, Geronimo Stilton, and Blacksad.
How would you describe your art style?
My style is close to the old-fashioned picture books style, which is heavily influenced by the various picture and comic books I read when I was young. Specifically, I tend to focus more on the details and linework of my art pieces. As for colouring, I believe that it contributes heavily towards the overall harmony of the artwork. Therefore, I choose the colour schemes based on the overall atmosphere, in a way that contributes to my storytelling.
Noble Savages by Sherry Cao
How long did it take you to develop your current style?
It took me about my entire university studies to develop my art style. My fixation on linework started to develop during my late high school and junior year university years, while colouring is a slower process to refine. As I got more exposure to other inspiring artworks, I gradually gain a better understanding of how colour palettes can harmoniously fit into the artworks. The painting classes also taught much about colour theory, which strengthened my foundation and knowledge as well. In the most recent year or two, I started to add storytelling elements, and through trial and error learned the various elements of storyboarding, and how to plan my cuts effectively.
What made you gravitate towards comic style illustrations?
It is influenced by my the many picture books and comic books that I have read throughout my life; I really love to tell stories through my art. My art doesn’t necessarily have some grand or inspiring meaning, I would rather tell small heartwarming stories that bring people happiness and strength.
Noble Savages by Sherry Cao
Is it difficult to come up with the “stories” behind each comic?
I do spend much more time thinking about the story than the drawing. These stories start only as a vague idea, and I would keep refining it over and over again before starting on the drawing. Then, in the draft stage, it will be changed again still, as I work on developing and adjusting the details and logic. Once the story is finalized, the drawing part would then come naturally to me.
What are the important tools you use in your daily work?
I rely on my notepad and Procreate for my work. My notepad is for capturing ideas and Procreate for realizing them. I would first jot down how many frames are needed for the story, and the contents of each frame. Then, I move on to Procreate to rearrange and finalize the layout. Once that’s done I can begin my drawing process.
Work in progress of Demetres Fall 2023 Bill Card Art
Have you ever experienced an artist's block? If so, where do you find inspiration?
Of course, artist’s block is difficult to avoid, and I have experienced two types of artist’s blocks. The first is when I have a clear idea, but practically it realizes as boring or cumbersome to read. In this case, I would read a lot of picture and comic books, to gain inspiration from how other artists present their stories.
The other type of artist’s block is when I lose interest in artistic expression. If I feel this, I would quickly withdraw myself from drawing, and find other interesting things to do that will reignite my passion. I have always believed that art is inspired by real life, and if I lose sight of my life, pushing myself to work through will simply drain my creativity dry. The only remedy is then to stop and start experiencing life again, and the ideas will come naturally.
Sherry Cao Spot Drawings for Demetres Fall 2023 Menu
What's your dream client or project?
My dream project would be to work on children’s picture books. I want to bring to other children the feeling my comic books have brought me as a kid. I really wish to realize some of my imaginations and stories to bring these children more happiness.
Who is your biggest inspiration or illustration idol?
My biggest inspiration in storytelling is Japanese Novelist Naoko Awa, her fairytales expanded my imagination, and gave me the dream of telling my own story.
A favourite story of mine is The Window of the Fox. In this story, a fox owns a flower field and has blue flowers. A hunter is lost and see the fox. When the hunter talks to the fox, the fox tells the hunter to dye his thumb and index finger blue. Then, by forming a window with his fingers, the hunter is able to see what he wants to see.
Naoko Awa
My biggest illustration idol is Juanjo Guarnido. The illustrator of the comic series Blacksad, which to me is the perfect comic book. The character design, art style, storyboarding, storytelling, and colouring perfectly weaves into a dark and mysterious detective story.
Blacksad by Juanjo Guarnido
Which of your artwork is your favourite so far?
The little mouse and swallow in Nobel Savages. It reminds me of the title of a Japanese TV show (逃げるは恥だが役に立つ), which roughly means Running away is shameful by effective. I don’t think running away is shameful, because sometimes finding the courage to escape is brave enough.
Noble Savages by Sherry Cao
Can you tell us more about your inspiration behind the 2023 Fall Menu art and what messages you wanted to convey?
What I like about Demetres is that it’s a place where everyone can sit down, relax, and enjoy some sweets. And if “everyone” can enjoy them, why not the animals as well. And the idea for using animals came from the racoons from my family friend’s back yard. There would be cherries growing in their back yard every year, and racoon mom would bring her children along the tree branches and feast themselves on cherries for a whole day. The scenes very much feels like a fairytale. So I thought, why not have them enjoy Demetres as well?
When you’re not working, what do you enjoy doing most in your spare time?
I like to read novels, comics, watch shows and movies, and play story driven video games. I would immerse myself in to the various characters’ emotions, to keep myself sensitive to their feelings. That experience is very enjoyable to me.
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 would replay some shows or movies that I have already watched before, or listen to talk shows such as Danial Sloss, Iliza Shlesinger. This would keep me engaged, while not taking too much attention from my drawings.
If you can give a piece of advice to anyone new in the industry what would it be?
Watch a lot, draw a lot, and experience a lot. Have more confidence in your own creations. It may not be perfect, but it represents you at this moment, and therefore it is priceless.
Thank you Sherry for sharing your journey and the amazing artwork!
Here’s our Fall 2023 menu cover
And the bill cards
