Hi, I’m Rena Cugelman, also known as cugygirl.

This is where my illustration work lives. My style is playful, expressive, and intuitive, often leaning into character, pattern, and visual storytelling. I enjoy working loosely and following ideas where they lead, whether that’s a finished illustration, a sketch, or something in between.

I’m based in Toronto and work on illustration projects, commissions, and personal explorations. My illustration practice also feeds into cugypress, where I create handmade Procreate brushes, graphic illustrations, and creative tools inspired by how I actually draw and work.

Alongside illustration, I have a long background in visual design and digital work, which you can find at renacugelman.com.

I’m a lifelong animal lover and live with two cats who provide daily creative inspiration. Keema, affectionately called La Chonka, is bold and dramatic with endless opinions. Six is small, sweet, and quietly observant, a polydactyl cat with extra toes and a calm, gentle presence.