We were lucky to catch up with Cheri Charlton recently and have shared our conversation below.
Cheri, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I ventured into the realm of illustration and mural painting a bit later in my artistic journey. During my college years, I focused on studying painting and drawing, earning a BFA and MFA in fine art. Following graduate school, I relocated from Ohio to Chicago in 2007 with the aim of securing a teaching position in fine art at local colleges and finding opportunities to showcase my artwork in galleries. However, the harsh reality of financial obligations and student debt quickly hit me, shifting my focus to mere survival.
To make ends meet, I taught whatever college courses I could land while juggling two to three part-time jobs. The gallery scene left me feeling frustrated, prompting me to concentrate on honing my digital skills as an artist. I started seeking odd illustration gigs advertised on Craigslist and discovered my genuine enjoyment in creating illustrations for clients. Throughout my life, I had always drawn inspiration from illustrators like Beatrix Potter, James Gurney, Edmund Dulac, and Yuko Shimizu, yet no one had truly explained the nature of illustration as a profession or how I could pursue it.
Driven by curiosity, I began amassing books on the subject and accepting any jobs that involved even a hint of illustration. A significant turning point arrived when my friends opened a salon called barabara&barabara in Logan Square. They entrusted me with painting a mural in their space, designing their sign, and crafting their logo. That particular assignment marked a pivotal moment for me, as I never looked back. I also came to realize that the line differentiating “illustration” from “fine art” is rather blurry, and there is no reason why I couldn’t embrace both simultaneously.
Cheri, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
In terms of explaining how I started, I would say that after successfully completing a few illustration gigs, more opportunities began to come my way. Over the past 13 years, my focus has been on creating illustrations and executing large-scale commercial murals, establishing myself as a professional muralist. Murals have always presented an exciting challenge for me, as they involve collaborating with clients to understand their specific needs. Whether it’s adding decoration to a space, advertising services, or generating social media exposure, I approach each mural as a problem to solve. Factors such as the location, materials required, and the physically demanding task of painting the mural come into play as additional considerations. Painting murals, especially in public spaces, combines creative problem-solving, design execution, and the craftsmanship and physical skills required to work on a larger scale. What brings me the most satisfaction is knowing that the murals I create bring joy or pride to those who commission them or live with them. Additionally, I take pride in sharing my experience and technical expertise with aspiring illustrators, which is why I’m passionate about being an art educator.
One of the distinguishing features of my mural work is my commitment to community involvement. I recognizes the importance of public art as a means of fostering a sense of belonging and pride in local communities. To that end, I often invite community members to participate in the development and execution of her murals, providing opportunities for both adults and children to engage with the artwork in a meaningful way. Currently I am working with a group of 8th graders at a Chicago public school on a mural they helped me conceptualize and are now assisting me in the painting process. The mural will act as a legacy gift their class will leave behind as they all move on to high school. When I was invited to paint a mural for the U.S. Consulate in Casablanca in the fall of 2021 I dad an additional mural with a local art center that connected to the theme of larger mural. We invited children from the community to paint on that project and learn more about mural creation. In 2018 I was invited to create a mural to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Girl Scouts in Evanston, IL. For this project, it was important to me that I captured the spirit of an organization that has meant so much to so many generations of girls and young women. So, I reached out to the surrounding Evanston, IL community and invited over 150 girls and young women to collaborate on the painting.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I wish I had reached out to more illustrators in Chicago who were making work in the industries I wanted to work in sooner. Finding mentors is truly a invaluable resources as a creative. I also wish I had gone to creative conferences and joined associations. Sometimes these are a bit of financial investment but I have expanded my creative network and knowledge of the industry through those investments. SOme I can recommend are the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrator (every city/state has their own chapters), ICON: The Illustration Conference, C2E2, and going out to life drawing events and drink and draw events in the city.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
It has been a long tough road to get here, but even the hard stuff was worth it in the end. Because I find the fact I wake up every morning and creating art or sharing my passion for art in the classroom is my job a pretty incredible. 
Contact Info:
- Website: cherileecharlton.com
- Instagram: @chersugarlee
- Facebook: Cheri Lee Charlton Illustration
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheri-charlton-aa235162/
- Twitter: @chersuagrlee
- Youtube: @cherileecharlton
Image Credits
All photos were taken or made by Cheri Lee Charlton