About the Artist: Ann-Marie Cheung

We're back with another 'Track to the Future' mural update! A third mural has now been completed by the talented Ann-Marie Cheung, a local artist. Where can you go check out this new masterpiece? Downtown St. Thomas at the Railway City Tourism office! The murals are a beautiful addition to our community, not only because they add colour and photo ops, but they also provide artists with a public platform to showcase our city's story with beautiful themes and meaningful symbolism. 

Did you know elephants will come together to mourn their dead? I see all these newly painted elephants around St. Thomas coming together to lament and honour Jumbo in a joyous way.  - Ann-Marie Cheung

Profile: Ann-Marie Cheung

​What inspired you to pursue becoming an artist? 

As a child I was constantly making art and was encouraged by some amazing teachers in both elementary and high school. I remember doing a school project where I researched and painted the Aztec and Mayan gods. I immediately fell in love with ancient cultures and their vibrant colours and patterns. I was also obsessed with stories of Greek mythology at that time which continued throughout my life. I didn’t choose to become a marine biologist or an Indiana Jones type of archeologist (my second career choices) but instead attended the Ontario College of Art in Toronto to pursue my passion and my dreams of becoming an artist. 

How do you make your art/murals? What technique do you enjoy the most?

I mainly use a multi layering technique with acrylic paint. Sometimes I write words of intentions on the background layer which are eventually covered up. On my canvas work. I’ll use brushes, sponges, fingers, bottle caps, stencils or other mark making tools to blend and play with the paint. For this brick garden wall mural, I started off with a clear coat sealant and then painted the whole background with a blue and white combination. Next I added outlines and then filled in with colours and final details. I believe everyone is creative and I do teach my painting process methods. I also love to do pen and ink work and can really get lost for hours in the meditative details.

What are your thoughts on the Jumbo story?

I always thought it was a very sad and tragic story. I’m hoping my mural will help to heal the elephant spirit. I love the elephant symbol, she is so gentle, wise and strong. Did you know elephants will come together to mourn their dead? I see all these new painted elephants around St Thomas coming together to lament and honour Jumbo in a joyous way.

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Artist Bio

Ann-Marie Cheung, Visionary Artist and Creative Experience Guide is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art (OCADU).
An avid traveler, she has backpacked across Europe solo, rode an Arabian charger through the Valley of the Kings and Queens in Egypt, had a tattoo business in the Canary Islands, and crewed on a sailboat for Antigua Race week in the Caribbean.

Through life’s twists and turns, she had a successful freelance Multimedia Design business for a number of years while being at home with her 2 children. When she’s not creating, Ann-Marie can be found experiencing scuba diving, practicing yoga, training in Jiu Jitsu or dreaming of her next wild adventure.

Ann-Marie helps adventurous spirits create a joyful, magical space in their lives with her unique, vibrant, whimsical artwork. She invites you into her fascinating world of exotic colours, ancient patterns, ornate textures and rich symbolism where she is constantly exploring and creating with acrylics, mixed media and digital tools.
Her award winning work is part of the Canada Council Art Bank and can be found in numerous private collections around the world.

As a Creative Experience Guide she helps you to heal your heart with your own art practice. Ann-Marie teaches you a meditative painting practice that uses sacred symbols and a super easy layering painting process that activates the right side of your brain so that you bring your whole being into a new state of balance and abundance.
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For more info please visit: www.annmariecheung.com

Ann-Marie documented her process in painting her Jumbo mural. Read all about it at the link below!

Ann-Marie's Progress Report

The ‘Track to the Future’ mural project is coordinated by Railway City Tourism in collaboration with Andrew Gunn Consulting and young & free press with generous financial support from the Estate of Donna Vera Evans Bushell.