Illustrator Stef Wong on Art, Identity & Her Banner Project with Vital Voices

What drew you to art? / Why did you decide to become an artist?

I’ve always been drawn to art. As a kid I drew on any surface I could, in my teen years, art was my favourite subject. I even did post-secondary art studies for a short time. I ended up getting a degree in Communications and went into marketing but I was never happy with my career. It felt forced. I only made a go for a career as an artist after I had my son while on maternity leave and had the support of my husband.

Tell us a bit about your recent banner project with Vital Voices. What motivated you to sign on + what was your creative process like?

The commission from Vital Voices was a dream! As an Asian woman, surrounded in my life by amazing Asian women, and as an artist who specializes in portraits of people of colour who are doing amazing things, it was a perfect fit! My work is bold and colourful so a lot of times after I see the reference photos I let their faces stew in my mind for a little while until the colours and feel of the portrait come to me. I generally have a good idea of what I’m aiming for before I make a mark on the canvas. Getting the true likeness of the subject is also very important to me. The symbolic floral and fruit backgrounds were inspired by the women I painted, and the work they do.

How have your experiences and identity shaped your artwork?

My fluid identity is influenced by a few cultures — Indian, Middle Eastern, Chinese and Canadian. As a BIPOC woman my desire is to highlight the same. Our voices, faces and culture have been underrepresented for too long, and my portraits play a small part in highlighting people of colour.

What do you love most about what you do? / What’s most challenging?

I LOVE making art. I say to my husband at least weekly (it used to be daily!) that I can’t believe I get paid to draw! It is truly my dream career. I simply just love making pictures. Balancing life as a mother to two young kids (4 years and 8 months) and my illustration career is very challenging. I’m not able to devote myself full-time to my career goals, and have to be satisfied with the little bits of time I carve out here and there while the kids are asleep. It does help make my work time very intentional though.

STEFANIE WONG is an illustrator based in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Her artwork is influenced by her experience of having lived in different countries and being a woman of colour. Her work often highlights people of colour who are kind, intelligent, strong and over-comers of adversity. She is passionate about showcasing them, their faces, words and influence. She is a self-taught artist who may come across as shy in person, but upon saying “hello”, she’s probably finished visually scanning you for your unique facial features … just part of her superpowers as a portrait artist, of course. She also enjoys illustrating food and animals. Whether in seriousness or whimsy, her work is bold and vibrant. Call her to commission an art piece. Forbes, The Washington Post, Warner Records, and The Globe and Mail have already knocked on her door. When not making art or master-chef’ing in her own kitchen, you’ll find her in hipster cafes, ramen shops, and art/kitchen supply stores around Vancouver with her 4 year old son, infant daughter, and her pastor husband. EMAIL hello@stefwongcreative.com to inquire, collaborate, license or commission art. Follow her on Instagram and Pinterest