Monthly Charlie’s Playground: July 2025
July’s over! Here’s a recap for anyone who missed posts (or doesn’t know where to start).
July is already over! For anyone reading for the first time and wondering where to start, or for anyone too busy to check in every day—here are this month’s Charlie’s Playground highlights!
Top 3 Illustrations of the Month
My Favorite Post of the Month
“Riso Print Day at RISO POP” (July 9)
This was technically from last month, but even while writing about it this month, I could still feel the excitement of visiting RISO POP and the happiness of connections forming there. I definitely want to visit RISO POP again, and also check out risograph studios whenever I travel somewhere new!
Most Memorable Phrase I Wrote:
My “Something Long” Is at Quimby’s!
At last month’s Risograph meetup, when I handed out copies of “Something Long,” someone asked me, “Is this at Quimby’s?” That question gave me the push to knock on Quimby’s door with my zine in hand and ask, “Could you sell my zine too?” It took a lot of courage, but I’m so glad I asked!
Author’s Note
July started with me looking back on my trip to the Netherlands and Norway at the end of June, then going all the way to Cleveland, and also wandering all over Chicago every single week reporting on different spots. It was more about sharing photos than delivering illustrations this month. Getting better at photography isn’t exactly high on my priority list, but I think I’ll quietly add it to the “things I want to try” list for the future.