Charlie Yellow

Charlie Yellow is a Japanese-born illustrator based in Chicago who brings yurukawa (cute but quirky) to life. She celebrates everyday charm and the beauty of diversity—or even hidden thorns—through colorful illustrations, zines, and riso prints.

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Meet Your Bunny: A Late Introduction to Easter

I never celebrated Easter until I moved to the U.S.—and I didn’t really know what it was about. A cheeky podcast helped fill in the gaps, one bunny fact at a time!

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Pinterest, Where My Inner KonMari Says "Let It Be"

I’m a former KonMari Consultant obsessed with tidying—but my 1,000-pin Pinterest board? Total chaos. And somehow, that’s where the magic lives.

Charlie’s Next Transformation? Stay Tuned!

Charlie’s been a burger, french fries, and a surprise—today I’m sharing artwork that might inspire their next unexpected transformation!

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Cats, Doodles, and a Lifetime of Scribbles

I've been drawing cats since high school—despite my cat allergies and never owning one! Here's a little gallery of my lifelong obsession.

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Sardine Love: Can’t Explain It, Just Feel It!

Why do I love sardine illustrations so much? No clue. But their deadpan faces, squished charm, and imagined can-life totally spark joy!

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Spring, Delivered!

A bundle of cherry blossoms brought spring to my home—and with it, waves of memories, soft petals, and a reminder to savor fleeting beauty.

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Our Cheeky Abstract: A Stained Glass Butt That Made It Home

Our cheeky stained glass now hangs in our home—beautiful, functional, and just silly enough to make us smile every day.

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The Moon’s Secret to Staying the Course

The moon taught me to honor my creative rhythms—because even when we’re not full, we’re still moving forward.

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Creative Encounters in Skokie

Stumbled upon Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park today—public art truly is one of Chicago’s greatest everyday luxuries!

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Waiting for a Spring Chorus!

Still chilly in Chicago, but spring is quietly arriving—buds closed for now, daffodils warming up for their grand choral debut.

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Wicked Parody, Crafted with Love

A lovingly crafted Wicked parody that celebrates the fun of recreating something great, with just the right amount of silliness.

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QR Code Makeover: Charlie Yellow Style

QR codes aren’t cute—so I turned them into ice cream. Here’s how I made QR design part of the charm instead of the problem!

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Coji-Coji: Japan’s Adorably Absurd Fairy Tale Friend

A surreal, colorful world where a cosmic child drops truth bombs with a smile—Coji-Coji is as weird as it is wise, and totally lovable.

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Oops! Even AI Doesn’t Know How to Cut a Romanesco

Even AI gets it wrong—like when it showed me how to cut a romanesco with a hilariously flawed diagram. Always fact-check your bots!

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AI Is Here—But It Still Needs Our Words

Even in the age of AI, our words matter more than ever. The key to using AI well? Keep practicing how to express yourself clearly.

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What The Fountainhead Is Teaching Me About Art & Integrity

Howard Roark won’t budge. Peter Keating plays the game. And the clients? Just empty, egg-shaped flesh. I’m deep in The Fountainhead now.

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Street Art Foraging in Chicago

Look up from your screen—there’s a whole gallery of tiny wonders waiting on the street.

When I Couldn’t Draw Jelly, I Asked AI

I made real jelly to study it, observed every wobble, and still couldn't draw it right. So I asked AI for help—and kept learning.

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Candy Work: Why I Draw to Share Joy

Some work feeds the body. Some feeds the heart. I make candy—not meals—and I’m here to share joy, one drawing at a time.

A Jelly Recipe (for Brushes, Not Dessert)

Still studying jelly, one brushstroke at a time. These notes are for future me—and maybe for someone else out there drawing jelly, too.

Cut, Solder, Celebrate: Part Two of Our Stained Glass Class

From choosing the perfect glass to soldering the final pieces, the second half of our stained glass class was all about teamwork—and a little sparkle.

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Some Disappointing News

I didn’t get into Chicago Zine Fest this year. It stings—but I’m channeling that energy into making more art. No one can take that from me!

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Jelly meets curving fruits

Today’s jelly: experimenting with highlights, layering, and curved fruit floating inside. Still unsure about the dish—but I’ll keep exploring!

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One Jelly, Three Hours

It took me three hours to draw one jelly. Procreate gradients aren’t easy—but learning how the brushes behave feels like the real shortcut.

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Somewhere Out There, a Jelly-Loving Friend Exists

I tried to draw jelly but couldn’t capture the shine or wobble—until I found a blog post full of jelly art tips. A lucky little spark!