Rainbows, butterflies, sunny skies, and shining stars are incorporated into “The Habitat for the Yellow Bird.” In fabricating the 18 faceted glass panels located on the platforms of the Sutter Avenue station, the artist took great care to include details of her original artwork such as painting minuscule veins and features of the leaves as part of vibrant compositions of flowers, over 100 tiny pieces of glass to portray the brilliance of a single butterfly, subtle shading of the petals of the bold sunflower, and a carefully selected color palette for the delicate field of pansies. Takayo strove to bring cheer and spirit to the transit public through her colorful imaginary landscapes with blue skies and twinkling stars.

Takayo Noda is a collagist/paper manipulator, printmaker, painter, and author who was born in Japan, attended Gakushuin University in Tokyo, and moved to New York in 1961, where she studied at the Art Students League. She worked as a freelance writer for Woman's Day Magazine from 1969 to 1972 and has since written and illustrated numerous acclaimed and award-winning children's books. She has exhibited in both group and solo shows throughout the U.S. and her works are included in collections worldwide, including in the Lotos Club Collection, NYC.