Yoko Baum — Freelance Food & Lifestyle Illustrator
I am a freelance illustrator based in Portland, Oregon, specializing in food and lifestyle illustration for editorial, packaging, and brand storytelling.
Based in Portland, Oregon, I am a freelance Food and Lifestyle Illustrator creating vibrant, playful artwork inspired by everyday moments around the table.
Originally from Japan, I bring a thoughtful, design-driven approach to every project—a style shaped by my Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and early experience in the children’s book world. I combine clean composition with handcrafted warmth to create work that feels joyful, inviting, and full of personality.
My work spans from intricate spot illustrations and striking magazine covers to entire cookbook projects. As I expand into lifestyle branding, food packaging, and global advertising, I continue to celebrate the colors, textures, and atmospheric details that make food culture and daily life feel alive.
When I’m not drawing, I am often cooking, gardening, or exploring the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. These experiences continually influence my sense of color, seasonality, and storytelling. I collaborate closely with art directors and brands to transform ideas into imagery that connects and delights.
Clients & Collaborations
I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with a wide range of clients across
magazines, brands, and creative projects, including:
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EATEN Magazine
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EDUTOPIA
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Kitchen Table Magazine
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PER FIN PRO Magazine
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Taproot Magazine
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The Art of Eating Magazine
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,and more.
Testimonials & Trusted Client Feedback
I create illustrations for magazines, brands, and creative projects, from editorial features and book covers to advertising and event merchandise.
Here are some testimonials from clients I’ve worked with.
"Yoko made fantastically whimsical illustrations for a couple feature stories for us and knocked them out of the park. They really elevated the storytelling. She was a pleasure to work with, met very tight deadlines, and I look forward to working with her again."
Brian McManus, Global Editorial Director, NMGnetwork
"Yoko was fast, responsive, and good."
Edward Behr, Publisher, Editor, The Art of Eating Magazine
"Collaborating with Yoko was an absolute pleasure. Her responsiveness, keen understanding of our project's needs, and exceptional talent truly exceeded our expectations. Yoko's professionalism and remarkable illustration skills were evident throughout our collaboration, resulting in outstanding artwork delivered ahead of schedule. Her contributions to our project celebrating AAPI Heritage Month were met with overwhelming appreciation from the entire ERG group. I highly recommend Yoko for any creative endeavor; her dedication and creativity are truly unparalleled."
Zihang Jiao, Lead Digital Designer, Web Experience and Development | Ripple
"Yoko did fantastic work for the Japanese food issue of our Waitrose magazine. She knew what exactly Japanese cuisine looks like, her illustration style describes every single detail of them in a fresh and sophisticated way. Also she was very responsive and able to deliver what I needed ahead of schedule.Yoko is lovely to work with."
Kerry Wakefield, Deputy Creative Director / Art Director, Waitrose Food Magazine
“WordPress VIP collaborated with Yoko to design a custom playing card deck giveaway item as part of our presence at WordCamp US 2025, which took place in Portland, Oregon. She was a dream collaborator—creative, thoughtful, and fast! She delivered unique designs that incorporated WPVIP's branding and key icons seamlessly and perfectly matched our vision, all on a tight timeline. Her artwork brought the concept to life so vividly, and the whole team was thrilled with the results. Yoko is responsive, reliable, and a true professional—highly recommend her for illustration projects tied to company branding or event merchandise.”
Hannah Salas, Producer, Indigo Events (on behalf of WordPress VIP)
Karen Chan, Founder & CEO of Gloo Books
"Yoko's work speaks for itself, but it was a pleasure to work with her-- she is dedicated and adaptable and I appreciated her hard work and talent! "
Services and Offer
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Editorial Illustration
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Magazine Illustration
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Food & Drink Illustration
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lifestyle Illustration
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Branding & Advertising Illustration
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Surface Design, Pattern Design
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Book Covers & Publishing Illustration
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Illustrated Card Decks & E-Greeting Cards, etc.
I'm flexible and happy to help with different requests, so please don't hesitate to get in touch!
For project Inquiries, or just say hello,
you can email me at
hello@yokobaum.com
Also, Where You Can Find Yoko's Work
Curated Communities Supporting Illustrators
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Illustrators For Hire
A curated list of freelance illustrators, and I’m proud to be a selected professional.
➜ View my profile @Food and Drink and @Editorial -
Creativehowl
A community showcasing talented illustrators, where I am honored to be recognized.
➜ View my profile -
Illustration File
A curated Japanese platform featuring professional illustrators, connecting us with advertising, publishing, and other industries.
➜ View my profile -
Fy!
A platform where I sell my prints alongside many talented artists.
➜ Shop my prints
Showcasing My Work
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THEY DRAW
A creative space for illustrations related to food, travel, and more.
➜ View my illustrations -
Coffee Table Art Book
A curated collection celebrating coffee culture art, where I’m proud to be featured as an illustrator and a huge coffee lover!
Interview
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A feature in The Japan Times, where I share insights into my work and creative process for the book A Very Asian Guide to Japanese Food.
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Good + Tasty — A Q&A interview about illustration, storytelling, and how images shape the way we experience food, place, and culture — and why I love working in commercial, editorial, and advertising illustration. ➜ Read the interview
