Artist's Bio

Charlotte Belland is a Professor of Animation Drawing and the Chair of the Animation Department at the Columbus College of Art and Design. She is known for her drawing programs where she hosts local animal ambassadors for drawing sessions. She has a B.F.A. from the Columbus College of Art & Design and an M.F.A. from The Ohio State University. She was born in Columbus at Grant Hospital, attended Columbus School for Girls through grade three, and then moved to Worthington where she graduated from Thomas Worthington High School.

Statement

My motivation for this project is to create positive community connections by visually introducing guests to a diverse group of Columbus-based artists with portraits of their pets.  The subject of pets serves as a social ice breaker, creating a sense of simplicity and commonality within the complexities of the human experience.  Pets have a powerful way of slowing humans down and positively impacting mood. Traveling can be a stressful experience for most, so the goal is for the viewer to find a moment of peace and comfort in the faces of my illustrations of Columbus Artists’ Pets. The calming presence will invite the viewer to engage with the description tag where they will learn about that animal’s creative human. The tag will include the social media of the artist and any additional information to encourage the guest to engage that artist’s work during their stay, or on their return trip home.