Cheri Lee Charlton is a Chicago-based artist and Assistant Professor of Illustration at Columbia College, Chicago. Her multidisciplinary practice includes mural painting, illustration, and education, and she brings over 15 years of professional experience to her work. She recently completed the largest mural by a woman in the city of Chicago, spanning more than 11,000 square feet, Curious Bunny.

During her time at ´ace, Cheri worked in the terrace to develop a mural painting that depicted capibaras and parrots, two local species that have become part of the everyday conversation here in Buenos Aires due to their permanent presence in the city. To do so, she made use of the “fileteado porteño”, a typical expression of this city that combines art and tradition. If tango is the music of Buenos Aires, fileteado is its visual stroke, its signature: coiled, ornate and dramatic, fileteado and its messages are a reminder of the origins and history that shaped this part of Argentina.

ARTIST STATEMENT

In my illustration work, I explore themes of nature, childhood, and the power of imagination with a playful and whimsical sensibility. Drawing inspiration from Art Nouveau as well as illustrators like Beatrix Potter and Maurice Sendak, my work blends storytelling and expressive visual language. Alongside these imaginative pieces, I also create artwork that addresses social, political, and environmental issues, with a particular emphasis on women’s empowerment and gender equality. My illustrations span a wide range of techniques—from traditional pen and ink to digital media—and are characterized by bold color, dynamic line, intricate pattern, and thoughtful composition.