Ashida Mellow (足田 メロウ) is a versatile Japanese contemporary artist based in the historic pottery hub of Shigaraki, celebrated for an aesthetic that balances whimsical "cuteness" with a profound, melancholic depth.

Born in 1973, he is a multidisciplinary creator whose work spans expressive painting, storytelling ceramics, and live performance art, often characterized by a signature palette of deep blues and wide-eyed, introspective characters. Driven by the philosophy of "painting to meet people," Ashida frequently collaborates with musicians and poets to create immersive experiences, transforming traditional crafts and canvases into emotive vessels for prayer, memory, and human connection.

Ashida Mellow maintains a multifaceted creative practice that bridges traditional craftsmanship and contemporary performance, most notably through his work in Shigaraki-based ceramics and emotive painting. He is widely recognized for his dynamic live painting sessions, in which he creates large-scale visual narratives in real time alongside musicians, poets, and dancers.

Beyond the gallery space, his activities extend into multimedia and commercial design, encompassing everything from mural painting and CD jacket illustrations to the production of poetic "painting books" and artisanal paper goods, all unified by his signature whimsical yet introspective style.