Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Charla Pettingill. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Charla thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
Absolutely. There’s no greater joy than making art. It’s soothing, mentally engaging, and transformative. The next best aspect of being a creative is seeing others enjoy your work. Whether they’re displaying a print they purchased from you on the walls of their home or sewing new pajamas using a fabric you designed, it’s a delight to see how others interpret and engage with your creative work.
Charla, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Like most creatives, I began drawing avidly as a small child. While growing up in East Tennessee, family members and teachers encouraged me to keep drawing, and I became the proud owner of a Tyco easel on my third birthday (a gift from my parents). I continued making art through high school, which is when I began to take the idea of a creative career seriously.
One day in the autumn of my senior year, a course catalog for Savannah College of Art and Design showed up in our mailbox. From there, I decided on a career in Illustration. As a first generation college student, it was a big leap, both emotionally and geographically, but it was a wonderful experience. I learned so much from my inspiring professors and fellow students. I completed my BFA and MA in Illustration at SCAD, and then went on to work in the industry as an illustrator and surface designer for 14 years in the Atlanta area. In the Fall of 2022, I returned to Savannah to teach. I continue to work as a freelance surface designer and illustrator.
For the most part, I create repeat patterns intended for use on gift wrap, sewing fabric, and other consumer goods. I also design greeting cards, art prints, blankets, and more. I love creating artwork that people can utilize and wear on a daily basis. Art should be accessible to everyone. Surface design is defined as art/illustration for decorative purposes on any surface…and I think we should utilize our clothing, home decor, and personal effects for self expression simply for the pure joy of it.
My work is primarily digital, but I still love traditional media. I try to maintain the painterly quality of my traditional work in my digital work (which is most often raster art created in Photoshop or Procreate). Art directors have described my style as painterly, fresh, fun, and modern.
I’m most proud of the work that makes other people happy, whether it’s a tea towel or a greeting card used to celebrate a special occasion.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Buy artwork (original, prints, or merchandise), and buy local if you can. If you can’t purchase artwork, share your favorite artist’s work on social media and credit/tag them. Tell your friends about them.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Graduating into a major recession in 2008 was a scary time. However, I relentlessly applied for jobs until I found an in-house position, and steady freelance work on top of that. So much of what will make you successful in life is simply seeking out/asking for opportunities. Be persistent and patient, and keep drawing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.charladraws.com
- Instagram: charladraws
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlapettingill/
- Other: Spoonflower: https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/charladraws Society6: https://society6.com/charladraws Illustrators for Hire profile: https://www.illustratorsforhire.com/featuring/charla-pettingill-illustrator-for-hire They Draw: https://www.they-draw.com/artists/charla-pettingill
Image Credits
All images ©2023 Charla Pettingill