Q: Originally  from Perth, Western Australia, what are some of your favorite things about living and working in New York?

A: I love the remote beauty and vastness of Western Australia but the energy and excitement of living and working in New York can't be beat.

How and when did you first become interested in art and illustration? *

I learned about Impressionists and then about Contemporary Australian art as a 15-year-old at school and I believe my interest in art started there. My interest in illustration started in the nineties when I first saw work by Graham Rounthwaite and Jasper Goodall.

What was your first commercial assignment?

It was an ad campaign for the Western Australia AIDS council - I made up the slogan 'Sock your Cock before you Rock' and it had a big beautiful photo of a rooster on the ads. I was either 17 or 18.

AI32 LIVE Covers by Deanne Cheuk

What is your favorite part of the creative process?

About three-quarters through something that is looking great, it's exciting when you know you have it and are almost done.

Do you keep a sketchbook? What is the balance between art you create on paper versus In the computer?

I keep piles of loose drawings but no sketchbooks. The balance is probably 70% digital 30% paper.

What is the most indispensable item in your studio?

Spray fixative

What are you listening to?  What are you reading

It's either quiet or I have on my fave radio station WFUV Alternate Side. I’m currently reading Hallucinations by Oliver Sacks

Who and what are some of your strongest influences?

Friends/designers/illustrators that I follow and admire like Chris Rubino, Mario Hugo, Alex Trochut, Mike Joyce, Si Scott, Richard Turley, RillaAlexander… to name a few.

Did your participating in the AI32 LIVE Cover Project have any spillover into your studio practice? Do you recommend marathon art projects for inspiration or redirection?

I've been traveling since then and busy with commercial projects, but once I start on some new art projects – I'm sure there will be some spillover from the cover artworks, and yes I do recommend marathon art projects, they can be very rewarding.

What was the last art exhibition you saw and what did you take away from it?

It was the Aurelio Costarella retrospective at the Western Australian Museum, it was so beautifully curated and the work was incredible, I felt very inspired by it, by the creativity and passion –and it's always inspiring to see a fellow West Australian getting recognition for their achievements. 

Left to right: AIGANY 30^th anniversary poster, charcoal on paper; Lady With Tray, charcoal on paper; Big Crystal, charcoal on paper.

What is your hobby? 

Scuba Diving. I just got back from Ningaloo Reef.

What advice would you give to a young illustrator who is just getting noticed?

Keep working. Being a commercial illustrator is all about having your work out there.

Deanne Cheuk is a New York-based art director, illustrator and artist. She has been commissioned by such companies, as American Express, Dell, Microsoft, Nickelodeon, Nike, Converse, Olay, Swatch, Target, MTV, Gap, The Washington Post Magazine and The New York Times Magazine.