Monthly Charlie’s Playground: January 2026
A slow start turned into a gallop: from zine fest prep to risograph submissions, January was full of fiery horse-powered creativity.
As January comes to a close, here’s your perfect chance to catch up on Charlie’s Playground—whether it’s your first visit or you’ve been too busy to read daily. Let’s take a look back at this month’s highlights!
📬 My Favorite Post of the Month
Back at Quimby’s to Spot My Zine! (Jan 11)
Returned to Quimby’s to see our zines on the shelf—one of mine had already sold!
Most Memorable Line I Wrote This Month
“Striking My Quiet Fire — a Fire Horse moment, once in sixty years”
This is the title I gave to the illustration I created for RISO POP’s open call on the theme Fire Horse. A horse striking a match with quiet determination, ready to make this year different. It got me thinking—maybe there are moments in life when we too feel that unshakable certainty that something rare is about to happen. I wasn’t born in the year of the horse, but I still feel deep down that 2026 is going to be one of the most unforgettable years of my life.
Author’s Note
Though January began slowly, it quickly picked up momentum as I focused on two big goals: tabling at the DePaul Zine Fest and submitting to RISO POP’s Fire Horse open call. Both projects shared the same horse theme, which helped the creative flow. I’m really happy with how both turned out! My zine Something Long seems to be selling at Quimby’s, too—which gives me the confidence to expand my stockists around Chicago this year. I'm feeling more inspired than ever to keep creating!