[un]Discovers: Helen Huang

à la mode Time Capsule

I have known Helen, aka CQ Cat for sometime now and her works never fail to amaze me. Recently, she has been featured in several online articles and her name is starting to be known by the public. I am so honored that she has created an image exclusive for this blog (above) and we have also collaborated on an image, Monkey Tamed (below) together a few months ago.

Monkey Tamed

I am glad that Helen is willing to let me do a Q&A session with her so you will get to know more about her as an artist. You will get to know where and how she gets her inspiration and most important, will she ever draw a male character in her works? So here we go...

Helen, I have seen a lot of your works and they are unique, would you mind tell me what are your inspirations?
My inspiration comes from everything. Once you keep your mind open, you can see beauty everywhere, every day. I also love window-shopping and reading fashion magazines. Colors and patterns always give me inspiration in a very wonderful way. I carry a sketch book with me everywhere I go, whenever I have a free moment or an idea, I would do some sketch.

Red Apple

I heard that you started to develop your unique style when you were in Hawaii, tell us more about that trip experience because we want to get inspiration too!
I stepped into digital art in 2007 and started doing vector illustrations in 2008. Before my trip to Hawaii in late 2008, I was working hard trying to define my style. Hawaii is such a beautiful place. I was so inspired by the beauty of the nature there. It was like a switch turned on. When I came back, my style just magically evolved. One piece of my work is called Water Dance, which was inspired by my snorkeling experience in Hawaii. If you ever get a chance to go into the nature, relax and be a part of it. You will find inspiration like you never did before!

Vanishing Bride

Do you remember which piece is your break through in your illustration career? If so, what did this piece of artwork bring you?
It should be the first piece I ever posted online on January 9, 2009. It’s called Windy Day. It helped me to step into the online digital art community and intruded many friends in this community to me. I’ve come a long way ever since that day. It truly is the milestone for my illustration career.

Windy Day

As for all artists, we sometimes are stuck at the bottleneck stage. What will you do to overcome this stage?
I did get stuck at bottlenecks sometimes. I kept telling myself as long as I keep at it, I would pass it. I tried to go out for inspirations, window-shopping, art galleries, and exhibitions. I also would go do something I never did before, gaining new experiences. These all help me getting my inspiration back.

Princess F

Looking at all your artworks, I realize that they are all female characters. Are you planning to draw any male characters in the future? If so, what kind of style will we see from your male characters?
I do create male characters when I am doing projects for clients. But when I am doing art for myself, I’d rather focus on my female characters. Drawing female characters enables me to also incorporate flowers, butterflies and women’s fashion in my artwork. I am not sure how that will look in a piece featuring male characters. So, sorry guys, no male characters in the future, most likely.

Ice Cream

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I believe now we know a lot about you as an artist, but I bet a lot of people will want to know you on a more personal level. In this case, I have some fun facts for you and hope they will give a glimpse of your personal life to the readers.

Apple or Orange?
Both. I love most fruits. Dried mango with chili pepper and Asian style dried plum are highly recommended.

French Toast or Cereal?
Neither. I prefer real meal for breakfast, like what you normally eat for lunch and dinner.

Liquid or Bar soap?
Organic

TV or Youtube?
Hulu

Illustration or Photoshop?
Illustrator

PC or Mac?
Both

Polka Dots

Autumn or Spring?
Spring

Anna Sui or Gucci?
Anna Sui

Horror or Comedy films?
Comedy. I cannot watch horror films any more. PG 13 is my proper rating

Harry Potter or Edward Cullen?
Harry Potter

US or England?
Never been to UK, but my hometown rains half of the year, so I guess I won’t be too impressed with that feature. Love the weather in LA.

Britney Spears or Lady Gaga?
Lady Gaga

This is the end of the Q&A and I hope you enjoy reading it! Good news is she is going to work on some projects and I will be able to talk about them when these projects are completed! Stay tuned for those coverages because you do not want to miss them! In case you need to see more of her works, feel free to go to her official website or her flickr stream.

All art works are courtesy of Helen Huang except Monkey Tamed which is courtesy of Helen Huang and Marcus Kan.