Kamwei Fong’s intricate, meticulously rendered line drawings of animals—especially cats— are beloved by cat enthusiasts around the world. Created using only black micro-pigments, the monochrome creatures depicted by the Malaysian artist possess a quiet, serene presence while also conveying rich emotion and intent.

For this feature, by GASBOOK spoke with Kamwei about his creative process, his life surrounded by cats, and how Japan continues to inspire his work.

On the Feeling of Making Art

ーYour drawings feel calm and soft, almost meditative. What is your mindset when you draw? What is your process like?

Honestly, I just zone out! It’s super relaxing. I don’t think too much when I’m drawing.
Drawing becomes a safe place for my emotions to rest. The world narrows down to textures, rhythm, and the sounds of strokes. The more strokes I put in, the softer and fluffier the outcome becomes. It’s like every mark carries a breath — layer by layer, the drawing starts to feel alive, almost like it’s exhaling calmness back at me.

I work pretty slowly. A small piece might take a few days, but the bigger ones can last for weeks or even months. It depends on how complex I want to go, and how many layers I decide to build. The more strokes I add, the softer and fluffier everything feels. It’s kind of addictive — a slow, meditative process, almost like watching clouds form.

On working in black and white

ーWhy do you prefer monochrome?

My works often feel as if they exist in a limbo background. I love how clean and focused black and white feels — it strips everything down to the essentials: light, shadow, and texture. Without color, I can really tune into the rhythm of the strokes and the mood they create. It’s a calming way to work.

Black and white also lets me study the relationship between density and space. Without the distraction of color, the viewer’s eye can linger on the layers of lines and the atmosphere they form. It’s a way to highlight structure, emotion, and softness in their purest form.

But don’t get me wrong — I love color too. I’ve experimented with creating pieces entirely in red and blue, and I’d like to explore this approach further in full color someday. I’ve also painted my Furry Thing works in acrylic on canvas, using contrasting pastel-like tones and a completely different technique. The results feel strikingly different — a new kind of softness altogether.

On cats as inspiration

ーPeople often say “that looks like my cat.” What moments are you trying to capture?

When I first started drawing cats, everything came from my imagination and a few references I found online. That was more than a decade before I actually lived with cats. Now, my home studio is filled with them, and they’ve become my daily inspiration. I suddenly have plenty of live references wandering around me, each one a real model in their own way.

I don’t draw cats in a super realistic style, my approach is quite minimalistic, I often leave out the nose, whiskers, legs, or paws. Even with my furry companions beside me, I still rely a lot on imagination. What inspires me most is their softness, their stillness, and the way they seem to melt into space. It’s less about portraying one particular cat and more about expressing the feeling of cat-ness itself.

I’ve also done many commissioned portraits, for clients’ cats as well as my own, and I truly enjoy that process. It means a lot when someone trusts me to interpret their beloved companion in my style. I always share the finished piece only after it’s complete, and that moment of showing it to them is something I really treasure.

On living with cats

ーYou live with many cats at home. What do cats mean to you? And if you had to describe a cat’s charm, what would it be?

It’s lovely to be surrounded by cats. They fill the space with warmth and gentle companionship. Each one has its own personality, some enjoy solitude, others are playful or energetic, while a few are attention seekers. To me, cats are mysterious; they’re minimalists who live fully in the moment, never worrying about the future and content simply with their own existence. 

Their charm? It’s as if they’re saying, “I am being what I am. You don’t have to understand me, it’s totally fine if you don’t. I live fully in the moment.” What I find most captivating about them is how effortlessly they blend mystery with comfort.

On Japanese Influence

ーYou visit Japan often. What inspires you here?

I’ve visited Japan a few times in the past, but that won’t stop me from exploring this beautiful country even further, there’s always something new to discover. Each visit has offered a fresh perspective, from the subtle details in everyday life to the unique ways culture and creativity intersect.

This time, I want to focus on experiences that go beyond the usual tourist path, connecting with local artisans, traditional craftsmen, to see how storytelling and visual language are shaped by Japanese sensibilities. I’m especially fascinated by Japan’s cat culture, from cat cafés to the famous cat islands, where cats freely roam and interact with the community. I’d love to visit one of these islands to see how daily life and local culture revolve around these charming animals.

I’ve also been profoundly inspired by Japanese minimalism, concepts like Danshari and the mindful approach to living. It has transformed the way I live, and after years of practicing minimalism, I’m now gradually embracing essentialism, choosing to surround myself only with things I truly love and cherish. This philosophy subtly influences much of my work, leaving its mark on the pieces I create.

I’m inspired by how Japanese art balances simplicity and depth, and I’d like to reflect that in my own work—making my art a contemporary and traditional crossover, where modern expression meets timeless aesthetics. Ultimately, I want to experience Japan not just as a visitor, but as someone who can slow down, observe, and draw inspiration from the small, often overlooked details that make life here so uniquely beautiful.