Freelance Illustrator, Paris, France

“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.” - Robert Frost

Ms. Eliane Cheung was nominated as a WOW Woman by a French-American foodie. I investigated deeper and met with Ms. Cheung in one of her favourite spots in Paris, the stunning Jardin du Luxembourg. We talked about immigrant parents, being instilled with two cultures and multiple languages. The pressure to pursue certain professions is strong for many first-generation successors. Eliane re-evaluated, resisted and chose the road less-traveled by other linguistics PhDs. Perhaps the audacity came from seeing her parents go through hardships to follow their dreams.

Ms. Cheung successfully switched from corporate nine-to-five (think computational linguist at Google) to a creative entrepreneurial venture. She began illustrating the culinary worlds around her, then collated recipes of her favourite treats in a blog. The rest was history. Eliane authored and illustrated a book honouring her parents, Chinese-French restaurateurs in Paris.

What Ms. Cheung doesn’t mention in the interview (but I will) is her latest project: a beautifully crafted 2022 calendar filled with visually intriguing illustrations. Each intricate façade serving as a tribute to Eliane’s favourite restaurant or a café all around Europe and the world.

1. Name

Eliane Cheung. But everyone in my family calls me by my Chinese name Ming, and so does my partner.

2. Where is your hometown?

Paris, France. In my early twenties, I spent a school year as a French assistant in Vienna, Austria, but apart from that, I have always lived in and near Paris.

3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation? What does your average day look like?

I'm a freelance illustrator and work at home.

Before the pandemic, I used to go swimming every morning, then run some errands/stop by my favorite coffeeshop/meet friends or clients/go for a walk before starting my workday. Now I don't swim as often but it's pretty much the same routine.

4. What did you study in school?

I studied German and Chinese for a few years. And then linguistics and natural language processing.

5. What was the journey like to get where you are (in life and career-wise)? Write about some of the achievements that you are most proud of. What was the moment for you that changed your life (in your personal life and/or career?) that set you on the current path in life?

It was complicated! I've always been interested in languages but I had no plans at all. I considered being a translator, tried teaching and academic research. After my PhD, I became a computational linguist and worked for tech companies, which made me very happy.

A few years earlier, I had started a food blog and taken up drawing again after 20 years of interruption. My illustrations caught people's attention and I got my first commission in 2013. I quit my job to become a full-time illustrator in 2016.

At first, my parents would disapprove of my decision but when the book I wrote about them and our family's recipes (À la table d'une famille chinoise) came out the same year, they understood my new job and they changed their minds eventually. They never expressed it with words but I knew they were proud. Now they support me 100% even if they worry all the time.

It was important for me to show that immigrants are people like everyone else and that their stories deserve to be told. The book also helped me embrace my “asianness” and not be ashamed of it anymore.

I'm also glad that I got bored during my PhD and started a food blog out of nowhere. It was definitely a life-changing decision because I wouldn't have become an illustrator otherwise. This blog made me draw again and connect with other food lovers - some of them are now journalists, food critics, photographers, cookbook authors, chefs, entrepreneurs... By the time I became an illustrator, a lot of people already knew me or had heard about me: I had been networking and building a community all along without being aware of it.

6. How is your life different from what you pictured at 20?

I was so pessimistic and hopeless that I couldn't picture anything at 20. All I can say is that I had never imagined realizing my secret childhood dreams one after another (being a linguist, writing a book, being an artist).

7. Was there a time when life knocked you down or out and how did you get back up on your feet?

I lost a very close cousin when I was 19. He had just turned 20. But there's nothing you can do... Grief just fades away with time.

9. Knowing what we know now in a current political climate, can women be "all that we can be" in today's world? What is the way forward, as you see it, for "feminist values"?

Women have been fighting for their rights for so long. They have done most of the work so far, I think it's about time men did their part. Empowering women is a first step. Now men must change radically, and it starts with the way boys are raised in our society.

10. Where in the world do you feel “tallest” (i.e. where is your happy place)?

In the Corsican mountains, surrounded by pine trees. Also any place where I can swim alone. And home.

11. What extracurricular activities/hobbies are you most proud of? Why?

I love swimming, it feels so good. I started 15 years ago because I had back pains and I became addicted to it over the years. I've made quite a few friends at the swimming pool, we meet at the café after swimming almost every day, I love this social life.

12. What do you want to be when you grow up? Future goals/challenges?

I don't know what I want to do but I'd like to go out of my comfort zone more often and be more useful.

14. Anything you'd do differently, if you had another go at life?

I would try to spend more time with the people I love while they're here.

15. What inspires you?

Nature, beauty, kindness.

16. What are you hopeful about?

The younger generations of women and feminists.

17. What are some ingredients to a good life? Has the global pandemic changed your perspective about the world, about your life, your goals and dreams?

Good food, kind people, a cozy home. I'd like to live closer to nature, but I need my family and friends around.

18. What are (at least) three qualities you most love about yourself and why? What are your superpowers?

I'm patient, persevering and loyal. Also I think I'm good at adapting and seizing opportunities.

20. What are you reading now? (what books do you gift most and what are your favourite reads?)

I'm reading an essay by Mona Chollet: Réinventer l'amour (Reinventing love), about how patriarchy damages relationships between men and women. I think everyone should read it, especially men. I love Virginie Despentes' essay King Kong Theory, it blew my mind when I read it. Annie Ernaux is one of my favorite writers of all times. I was moved by all the books I've read but The Years is truly a masterpiece. I also love Marguerite Yourcenar's novels, especially The Abyss (and its devastating ending), and Ingeborg Bachmann's poems.

21. Who is a WOW WOMAN in your world who inspires you and why? Can you nominate three (or more) women you know who perfectly fit WOW WOMAN description? What would you tell them, if you had an opportunity, about why you admire them?

• I have a great admiration for Sarah Mouchot (@lebibii), the co-owner and chef of Holybelly, because of her ethics, her commitment and her generosity.

• I also admire Clara Vucher (@maj_clrt), cook/illustrator/cookbook author, for being so polyvalent and creative.

• I can add my badass friend Candice Fairand (@candy.fair), who has so many talents: she can draw, play the guitar, compose music, write novels, build websites, run an online shop, do bronze modeling and tarot reading and I'm sure there is more. She's the most generous friend.

22. Where can others find you/your work (links to websites, blogs, etc.)?

You can find me on Instagram: @mingou_mango and see my work on my website : elianecheung.com

BONUS QUICK ROUND QS:

1. What and who is worth suffering for?

Suffering is inherent to life, but I would rather try to avoid the unnecessary suffering.

2. What would you do if you knew that nobody would judge you?

I would open up more easily.

3. Who is/are your mentor/s (men or women)?

My late therapist helped me become who I am today, and Sonia Ezgulian (a famous French-Armenian cook and author of many books) mentored me when I became a freelance illustrator. She's like a godmother to me.

4. If you didn't have to work anymore what would you do with your days?

I would learn new languages.

5. If you could be anyone for a day who would you be?

I think I'd like to be a man just to see what it feels like.

6. If you could relive one year in your life, which one would it be?

The year I spent in Vienna.

7. What bothers you most about other people? What do you love most about other people?

I hate that people are so intolerant and judgmental. I hate that people talk about freedom all the time when in fact it's only selfishness and individualism. I love being surprised by some people's kindness and generosity.