I like Jo's work because it's pretty, which is not surprising considering she has a flickr set devoted to "all things related to birds." A girl after my own heart! Her collages are feminine and glittery, and she uses birds and brown paper that give it a natural feeling. I've been featuring a lot of collagists who like to draw lately, haven't I? I feel like the above collage is very "February," which is why I chose it!

Jo Cheung
www.jocheung.com, www.flickr.com/photos/saint_barbie/
London, England

Q: Describe your work in 10 words or less.
A: I love making the ordinary childlike, fun and playful!

Q: What do you like to work with (magazines, photographs, vintage)? Be specific!
A: A lot of my work is primarily handmade and sometimes overlapping with digital elements but I'm always happy to try out new things. I mainly work with observational drawings and then layers of photocopied drawings as the starting point, I've spent so much money over the years at college and university! I do take my own photos when I'm out and about for reference material but being messy with glue and tissue paper is what I enjoy the most! My work is primarily drawn from many things within visual culture such as fashion design and youth subculture so I like referring to a variety of magazines.

Q: How long have you been creating collages and what made you start?
A: As far as I can remember I've always been cutting up magazines when I was a child and it would drive my parents crazy for making so much clutter! I used to draw on everything I got my hands on as well, then when I started college I found my own way of visually communicating ideas and gradually developing my style and identity. By using stickers, sequins and found scraps of paper (or asking people to save envelopes and wrapping paper for me) it's about the materials that evoke the idea of childhood, using what you've already got. Collage allows me to make the image as I'm going and there are no restrictions or being precise whereas using the computer I get a bit frustrated if I can't do something specific or if I lose the saved work! That put me off animation as that's what I wanted to do in the first place before I went to college. Now I'm more into making hand made products for sale like postcards and screen printed badges.

Q: Are you solely an artist, or do you work in another profession?
A: I'm an artist/ Illustrator and designer.

Q: Do you have any formal art training?
A: I've got a distinction for Art and Design Foundation and I'm now in my final year of my BA (HONS) Illustration degree at the University of Westminster in Harrow. Considering to do an MA next year but not too sure what though.