Enerjax

Welcome sight Favourite pieces of art cover the walls of this illustrator’s bright studio, based in the Chicago suburbs

My husband and I used to work in Japan and collected several favourite uchiwa over the years. We get to sport them when we go to the Bon Odori festival here in town once a year (thanks, Mitsuwa!), so they get some use!

Because the window faces south, this room is blessed with divine light all day. I can’t tell you how much seeing daylight perks up my mood every day.

My family in South Korea threw us an engagement party when we visited there years back and I kept the boochae fan that I received from them.

After seeing the plants I had on the shelves, my good friend would gift a plant to me every so often and it’s been a delight seeing the studio garden growing little by little. Wonder how it will look a few years down the road… Jumanji, anyone?

This chair from IKEA is possibly my favourite item in the studio other than the table (also from IKEA). It’s so comfortable, and I can easily wheel over to my drawers and shelves. It’s just the perfect chair!

This little storage unit on wheels is a life saver. When packaging up orders I keep clear envelopes of various sizes in it, and it’s so easy to reach down and quickly grab what I need. I don’t even have to look anymore – thanks to muscle memory my hands know where to go.

Over the past two years I’ve collected a few art books from artists who I adore on Instagram. I have a ton of official art books in the cabinet, but the ones up here are great to display because maybe some friends haven’t seen these artists before, so it’s nice to spread the word.

Welcome sight Favourite pieces of art cover the walls of this illustrator’s bright studio, based in the Chicago suburbs

I usually draw characters solo, but this year I want to step up and try to create a connection between people in my art.