Elaine Chen is an illustrator and painter.

Her love for art began when her mother enrolled her art classes back in Hangzhou, China, before they immigrated to Toronto, Ontario, when she was 10. Elaine went on to earn her bachelor of animation from Sheridan College. 

She currently works as a video game artist and children’s book illustrator in Vancouver, British Columbia. She was the artist for BC’s Summer Reading Club in 2022 and led workshops for kids across Vancouver libraries. Her debut children's book My Day with Gong Gong (Annick Press) was nominated for Blue Spruce Award and was named a Kirkus and CBC best book of the year.

Elaine enjoys playing with traditional mediums like watercolour and gouache to capture the little things in life, be it a wildflower or the warmth of a cup of tea. You can usually find her out on a sunny day hiking in nature, or dancing lindy-hop with her friends, though no matter the occasion, always with a sketchbook.

Represented by Bridgette Kam at Westwood Creative Artists.
General inquiries at elainechen10@gmail.com

Publications

A Garden Called Home
(Tundra Books 02.2024)
Illustrator

Lin’s Lucky Red Envelope
(Holt Renfrew 01.2022)
Illustrator

My Day with Gong Gong
(Annick Press 09.2020)
Illustrator

Amelia, The Not-So Small Superhero
(Kickstarter- Self Published 11.2020)
Illustrator

This is Pomi
(Self Published 05.2017)
Co-writer, Illustrator

Work History

Klei Entertainment
11.09.2017 – Current
Artist

Self-Employed
20.05.2013 – Current
Illustration Freelance

Titmouse Vancouver
8.2014 – 09.2017
Background Lead, Painter, Layout Designer

Atomic Cartoons
1.2014 – 08.2014
Colour Designer, Background Painter