We're super excited about the recent release of The Super Kawaii Coloring Book, with 124 whimsical Kawaii scenes, characters and vignettes to color and make your own. And today we're catching up with the book's author and illustrator, Abbie Quirk, to talk about her approach to art and creativity. Enjoy!
1. Congratulations on the release of your new book! Tell us a little bit about your background and the process that led to creating this wonderful book.
Thank you so much! I'm thrilled to share The Super Kawaii Coloring Book with everyone. I've always been excited by art that brings out happiness in people, and kawaii style perfectly embodies that! My background is in illustration and animation, and creating adorable, playful characters has always been my passion. This book is a culmination of years of doodling cute little characters on my ipad. Seeing them all come together in one place has been a dream come true!
2. Can you introduce our readers to the Kawaii genre, and talk some more about what you love about drawing and creating in the Kawaii style?
Kawaii, which means "cute" in Japanese, is a genre known for its lovable, simple, and sometimes silly characters that just make you smile. Whether it’s a tiny kitten, a smiling piece of toast, or a cheerful cloud, kawaii art has a way of brightening your day. I love working with this style because it reminds me to appreciate the small, joyful moments in life. Drawing kawaii characters feels like an instant mood boost, and I'm excited to share that with readers through this book.
3. Are there any particular pages or characters in your book that you are especially fond of? Any cute kittens or clouds or sea creatures that stole your heart? Tell us about them!
Oh, that’s such a fun question! There’s a page with two little chubby pineapple penguins playing on the beach — they were so much fun to draw! And there's a whole spread of underwater friends, including an octopus with big, curious eyes and a sea turtle who’s all smiles. One of my favorites has to be the crickets playing cricket; that'd be a funny game to watch. Each character has its own personality and quirky characteristics, and I hope they make everyone smile as much as they did for me while drawing them!
4. What are your hopes for this book as it gets out into the world? Can coloring cute Kawaii characters and scenes bring about world peace? (We think yes!)
I hope this book becomes a happy escape for anyone who picks it up. Colouring kawaii characters can be so relaxing and joyful. It’s a little time for yourself to unwind, be creative, and embrace that playful part of your imagination. And while world peace might be a tall order, I do think these happy, calming illustrations can bring a bit of peace to everyone’s day!
5. Where can people find you online? And do you have any future projects in the works that you can tease for us?
You can find me on Instagram and TikTok, where I share my latest doodles, tips 'n tricks, and behind-the-scenes peeks into my creative process. As for future projects, I’m currently working on a video game, filled with cute characters! I can’t wait to share more soon!
Get out your pencils, markers and crayons and get ready to immerse yourself in the world of Japanese Kawaii cuteness and cool! The 124 whimsical and wonderful scenes, characters and vignettes in this book are yours to experience and transform.
Perfect for all ages and abilities, and available now.