Hello hello! Wooow thank you so much for my recent milestone of whopping 1.6K followers! I realize there are many new friends here so I thought I’d do a quick artist intro update 🤗
My name is Kiyomi Negi-Tran and I am a born & raised Chicago creative. I am a multidisciplinary artist and designer with heavy focus on experience design, illustration, and storytelling. Most of you may know me from my portrait pop-ups I host around town, but I dabble in many mediums! I specialize in and love the art of graphic recording, branding, and producing/curating fun events. I serve as a creative at a consulting firm during the day so I am very used to having a full calendar. I have always lived my whole life like so and wouldn’t have it any other way ✨
I am a half Chinese Vietnamese and half Japanese second gen tricultural eldest immigrant daughter. I am native-level fluent in my Japanese and proficient in Mandarin, currently aspiring to acquire at least basic Cantonese and Vietnamese! I grew up in Montclare on the west side and have hopped around different Chi neighborhoods since then. I graduated from Columbia College with a double degree in illustration and graphic design and have worked for many clients across multiple industries since then; you can look up my LinkedIn to peep the official resume! 😉 I am a proud Gallery 37 (iykyk) and Chicago Public School grad that constantly pursued different modes of art. I believe I have lived 6 out of my 9 lives thus far as a former musician/performance artist (20 years in traditional Japanese drumming!), teacher, environmental graphic designer, art camp counselor, dancer, etc. You can truly do it all and challenge yourself as long as you stay focused on your passion, perseverance, and consistency in your craft and efforts. It’s not always easy and you should definitely take breaks because burnouts are real. However, if you’re a true creative, believe me when I say that your 🔥 will return to you time and time again to set your soul ablaze.
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Long caption cntd in comments:👇🏼
This Saturday! I’m spending the afternoon joining my artist “daughter” @basketofstrawberry at her table for the infamous Trinket Fest at @artifacteventschicago 🍓🍰😇 I’ll be drawing all your favorite cute portraits as usual and offering cross-discounts for future artwork if you shop goods from @basketofstrawberry collection! I love an intergenerational maker support loop that uplifts my baby femmes!
We’ll be selling on the first floor right across the courtyard & and trinket trade table inside AE from 12 to 5pm. I can’t wait to see all of you! 🩷❤️🤍
This is a family-friendly event with $5 entry free or complimentary admission if you donate a feminine hygiene product to support @periodcoll . Check out @stayhigh.notjustbusiness IG & the official eventbrite for all the official 411 🔗
Hiiiii happy AANHPI Heritage Month! I am popping up again at @eviethecool ’s super fun Anime-niacs event at @emporiumchicago Wicker outpost this Thursday from 9PM~! So excited to bop to good beats and draw everyone in their favorite character of choice 🌸🧟🥷🏴☠️
If you’re in cosplay I’ll have a surprise for you so get your drip on 🫡 No cover, RSVP on eventbrite for headcount purposes 🫶🏼 See you with your heart ablaze ❤️🔥
#chicagoportraits #chicagopopup
“my world use to be grey, but thanks to you, it became so colorful.” - okarun 🖤
next thursday ANINE-NIACS is backkk. 🤩 meet me at @emporiumchicago in wicker park for another action filled. sounds by special guests @secretofmanna and @normaldrugs . 🤘🏽 @letskeepdrawing will be drawing really cute portraits. rsvp link available in bio. 💙
this friday ill be dressing up and djing a set at the KAWAII RAVE. 😻 this party is literally featured all over the country, chicago lets show them the best time. 🙂↕️ tickets available in bio. 💖
皆さん知ってました？水曜日はアニメの日らしいです！@eviethecool invited me to celebrate National Anime Day this Wednesday evening and I yelped “say less!” 🤗
Popping up for the first time at @expatchicago to draw special anime-style portraits from 7-11pm inspired by Jujutsu Kaisen 👹 If you ever fantasized about yourself (or your boo) as Gojo Satoru or Chousou - well, I’m here to bring that to life 💕 See you in west loop this Wed!
NO COVER; RSVP AT LINK IN BIO 🔗
#chicagopopup #chicagoartist #chicagoportraits
“a single good movie has the potential to change your entire life”. - makima ❤️🔥
as some of yall know, my love for anime runs deep af, im basically a nerd for it. 🤓 im so excited about these two upcoming events celebrating national anime day. 🤩
next wednesday meet me at expat for ANIME-NIACS, a cosplay / watch party featuring season 3 of jujutsu kaisen. 🐉 sounds by thee awesome nick jones and the marvelous peter cottontale. 🎧 also enjoy portrait commissions by the lovely kiyomi. 🎨
the following tuesday catch me at the soho house for an anime film night featuring princess mononoke and chainsaw man the movie. 🎥 enjoy complimentary popcorn, sake, and japanese snacks. 🍿🍶🍬
party rsvp in bio | film night rsvp available via soho app 🎫
As a Chicago girly who had a Filipinx friend in every single K-12 grade & was an enthusiastic (multiple) cotillion court participant, I’m so honored to be able to pop up at Chi-ibigan 2 courtesy of @lawrence_letrero and @joefontelera 💕 This special event is ticketed, link is in my bio!
Come enjoy the biggest Filipino family party complete with the city’s most coveted chefs, music, karaoke, dancing, photo opps, and more! See you at THEE night of barkada 🔥🇵🇭💖
Spring pop-up alert for this Saturday! I’ll be participating in @ginkgomarket.chi at our favorite @hai_bayo in Argyle from 11a-3p. Percentage of all vendor profits will directly support families affected by IC3 terrorism. Thank you @janellenguyen & @megywong for recruiting me for a meaningful community cause!
Come shop prints, my Mom’s handmade washi crafts, and get your portrait on to help our neighbors. We keep us safe, always.
Always a swell time @ludlowliquors when I create something with my best friend @squish_witch 🥰
Thank you to our lovely sponsors @condesagin@whereisedna@coquetel.collective , our palm reader Nina, and our wonderful friend @djlokari for amazing vibes all night long❤️💛🧡
Thanks to everyone who came out last night and may this new year bring everyone a stampede of good fortune 🐎✨ See you at the next GXGX function! 💋
Celebrate Year of the Fire Horse with us next Thursday 2/26/26!
We’ll be hosting @letskeepdrawing for portraits, @onebatlied for flash tattoos, free palm readings and Coquetel Collective for special cocktails.
Come bring your wishes & manifestation for the new year by making an offering to our special Fire Horse altar! We’ll have a dedicated display to usher in prosperity and good fortune!
Music & Vibes with @djlokari
Happy Lunar New Year 🧧 from your fam at Luddys. 🔥🐎❤️
恭喜發財! Hi friends! To celebrate the year of the fire horse, I’ll be joining @aapievents Lunar New Year Market at @royalpalmschicago this Sunday from 12-5pm. It’s been quite the long, difficult winter but I’m very grateful I can return to draw you as the new year begins 🥹
Event is free & for all ages - RSVP on eventbrite in the link! Come shop from 30+ vendors and connect with us in person. Let’s meet, hug, and chat in real life; I’ll be sharing mixed-media art pieces in addition to my usual portraits and would love for you to give them a new home 🧧❤️
