P.M.B.Q. Studios

P.M.B.Q. Studios is an American art studio and apparel brand based in San Jose, California, founded by artist Phuong-Mai "Mai" Blasich. The studio traces its origin to 1999, when Blasich first encountered giant pandas at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Inspired by their playful, lively behavior, she created her first panda character, Big Butt Panda, and began building a body of panda-themed artwork. The brand's mission is to spread "A Pandariffic Life" — a joyful, humorous approach to living life to the fullest, modeled on the panda's spirit. The studio produces panda artwork and merchandise including t-shirts, art prints, comics, toys, and apparel for men, women, and children. Products are handcrafted in small batches in collaboration with local artists and suppliers, with an emphasis on community collaboration and sustainability. P.M.B.Q. apparel and artwork feature recurring panda characters, each with a distinct personality and evolving story, appearing on garment designs and in comics. The studio's work has also appeared on a public mural in downtown San Jose. Beyond consumer products, P.M.B.Q. Studios offers marketing and illustration services, including mural painting, logo and infographic design, t-shirt design and printing, branding and style guides, manga illustration, and digital marketing strategy. Its client list has included Sakura of America, Walmart, CVS Pharmacy, Costco, Dark Horse Comics, Marvel Comics, the San Jose Downtown Association, San Jose Public Library, Santa Clara City Library, the City of Fremont, and Silicon Valley Pet Project. The studio also runs art workshops such as MangaStart (introduction to manga and chibi fundamentals), Paint a Panda, and Paint Your Pet, the latter in partnership with Silicon Valley Pet Project and Pup Plaza. P.M.B.Q. Studios remains a privately held, founder-owned business operating out of San Jose. It sells primarily through its own online store and appears at events such as Comic-Con International in San Diego and the Santa Clara City Library Comic Con. In January 2026, the studio became a member of 1% for the Planet, committing to donate 1% of revenue to environmental organizations.

P.M.B.Q. Studios was founded by Phuong-Mai "Mai" Blasich in San Jose, California. Blasich began drawing manga professionally in 1993, and from 2001 to 2003 the studio produced its own action-comedy comic titled Tea Club. The pivotal moment for the brand came in 1999, when Blasich visited the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and observed giant pandas wrestling on a hillside, chewing bamboo, and swatting at each other with their large paws. The experience inspired her to capture what she called the pandas' "Pandariffic spirit" and to spread it through art. Blasich's first panda character was Big Butt Panda, described as shy but unapologetic about his love of food and his rotund figure, encouraging others to be comfortable with themselves. Over the years, Big Butt Panda overtook the Tea Club characters in popularity, and Blasich embraced her identity as a panda artist. The studio's panda artwork expanded across t-shirts, art prints, comics, toys, and a public mural in downtown San Jose, California. The brand's stated mission is to spread "A Pandariffic Life" — living a joyful and humorous life to its fullest, like pandas. Each panda character is created with a full personality and an evolving life story that appears on garment designs and in comics. P.M.B.Q. Studios works with local artists and suppliers to handcraft products in small batches, emphasizing community collaboration and sustainability. In addition to its own products, the studio has built a services business offering marketing, illustration, and art workshops. Its specialties include artwork and graphics, mural painting, marketing illustration and production, t-shirt design and printing, branding and style guides, manga illustration and production, retail graphics and point-of-purchase displays, and digital marketing services such as website design, content strategy, email marketing, SEO/SEM, social media, and eCommerce strategy. Clients have included Sakura of America, Walmart, CVS Pharmacy, Costco, Dark Horse Comics, Marvel Comics, the San Jose Downtown Association, San Jose Public Library, Santa Clara City Library, the City of Fremont, and Silicon Valley Pet Project. The studio also offers workshops including MangaStart — Introduction to Manga and Manga & Chibi Fundamentals, Paint a Panda, and Paint Your Pet in partnership with Silicon Valley Pet Project and Pup Plaza, as well as private and customized classes and team-building workshops. P.M.B.Q. Studios sells through its online store and appears at events such as Comic-Con International in San Diego and the Santa Clara City Library Comic Con. In January 2026, the studio became a member of 1% for the Planet, pledging to donate 1% of its revenue to environmental organizations.

• 2026

  In January, P.M.B.Q. Studios becomes a member of 1% for the Planet, pledging 1% of revenue to environmental organizations.

• 2001

  The studio begins producing its own action-comedy comic, Tea Club, which runs until 2003.

• 1999

  Blasich sees giant pandas at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., inspiring the creation of Big Butt Panda and the P.M.B.Q. panda brand.

• 1993

  Phuong-Mai "Mai" Blasich begins drawing manga professionally.

A small-batch, community-oriented panda art studio and apparel brand emphasizing joyful, humorous panda characters, local craftsmanship, and sustainability.

• Panda-themed apparel

  T-shirts, hoodies, and other garments for men, women, and children featuring panda characters.

• Art prints

  Printed artwork featuring P.M.B.Q. panda characters.

• Comics

  Panda character comics, including the earlier Tea Club series.

• Toys

  Panda-themed toys and merchandise.

• Accessories

  Panda-themed accessories sold through the online store.

1. 1PMBQ - Pandariffic Apparel Designed in San Jose, CA Since 1999 – P.M.B.Q. Studiospmbq.com
2. 2About Us – P.M.B.Q. Studiospmbq.com
3. 3Services – P.M.B.Q. Studiospmbq.com
4. 4P.M.B.Q. Studios – Wikidatawikidata.org