Charlotte, known as Cha, is a French-born artist who has been creating waves in Denver’s art scene with her vibrant and dreamlike creations. From her early days in Toulouse, France, where she dabbled in fashion, music, and painting, to her move to Denver in 2023, Cha has cultivated a unique artistic style centered around her signature character, Chacho. Inspired by tribal traditions, surrealism, and her own vivid dreams, Chacho has evolved into an ever-changing muse for her work. Through murals, paintings, and even 3D sculptures, Cha’s art invites viewers into a parallel universe filled with whimsy, mystery, and boundless imagination.

 

When did you first start getting into art? 

I’ve been drawn to making art since childhood, growing up in a creative household with artistic parents who always encouraged me to explore various forms of expression. My love for art only grew as I got older; in France, I dabbled in fashion and music, singing and playing guitar in three bands. When I moved to Miami at 16, I faced a language barrier that led me to turn to drawing. Surrounded by artist friends, I developed the shape of my character, Chacho, who has become central to my work. After working a couple retail jobs and teaching French for a while I landed a nice art job that I decided to quit after COVID hit and all the events I organized had to be canceled. I decided to take the leap to become a full-time artist, and soon after, I moved to Denver in early 2023 to focus on my creative career. 

It’s fun to see artists and their “characters.” Where did you come up with your Chacho?

Chacho began as my attempt to capture a realistic image I couldn’t get out of my head. That was back in 2013, and since then, Chacho has changed and evolved as I’ve drawn inspiration from different sources. Originally, Chacho faced forward with a body resembling chess pawns, but over time, I became fascinated by the concept of extending body parts—a practice seen in some tribal cultures as a way to reach higher spirits. I was also inspired by the aesthetics of the crystal skull from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which led to Chacho’s elongated neck and extended skull, giving it that otherworldly quality. Chacho has become an ever-evolving character, influenced by the different worlds and cultures I’ve experienced while living in various places. 

From croissants to palm trees, there are so many elements and objects in your work, how do you decide what’s going in which painting? 

I mostly paint from memory, so you’ll often see elements in my work that I’ve been around recently or things I’ve been thinking about or wishing for. My pieces reflect whatever’s been occupying my mind at the time, including my dreams—I love dreaming and dream every night, which influences what I paint. I don’t try to think too much about what to create; I just let my instinct flow. Painting is a way for me to let loose and let go, so I can’t put too much pressure on myself. I enjoy contrasting the objects I place next to each other, adding intrigue for viewers as they interpret why each item is where it is. Playing with proportions is another technique I love—often, I’ll deliberately paint objects at unexpected sizes to make the piece feel a little surreal and challenge viewers’ perceptions. My art is meant to be challenging, serving as a booster for creativity and encouraging viewers to explore their own imagination.

Does the concept of the unknown influence your paintings?

Yes, the concept of the unknown definitely influences my paintings. I like to believe that Chachos and their world are real somewhere out there! The very act of painting them suggests I might be tapping into a vision from another realm or a parallel universe—who knows? This idea adds an element of mystery and exploration to my work, inviting viewers to ponder the possibilities beyond our own reality.

You’ve painted for national and local brands. Is it hard to balance working on commercial projects versus passion projects? Balancing commercial projects with passion projects can be challenging, but I consider myself lucky that the brands I work with are interested in my art for what it is rather than just my technical skills. Most of my experiences have been positive, with brands valuing my style. However, there was one instance where I was asked to remove Chacho from a design because it didn’t align with their brand. Since all my art revolves around my character, that felt disheartening. Despite that, the majority of my collaborations have been great, allowing me to express my creativity while partnering with brands that appreciate my vision.

Your work was featured at the Denver Art Museum. How did it feel to see your work honored in such a way? 

At first, when they reached out, I couldn’t believe it and thought it was a mistake! But seeing my work featured as part of their Dream Studio Program (you know how much I love dreaming) was an incredible honor and a surreal experience. It felt like a validation of my artistic journey and all the hard work I’ve put into developing my style and characters. The opportunity to share my work with so many people was truly awesome, especially showcasing my latest big painting alongside its 3D model version. It was such a fulfilling moment to see my art in a space like that, reminding me of why I love creating art and encouraging others to embrace their own creativity.

Finally, shameless plug: what shows/events do you have coming down the pipeline? 

For Chacho, I don’t have any specific events lined up beyond the regular group shows and art markets I enjoy participating in. However, as being a part of the Deep Space Drive-In, I’m really excited about a new monthly event we’re launching called: Art Jam, which will be held every 3rd Friday. It’s a nighttime gathering where artists and creatives can come together to make art while enjoying live DJs and projected visuals. There will be video games, still life and figure drawing, art-making stations, and much more! So instead of hitting the club, come hang out with us and create some art!