Meet Char-Lynn Griffiths | Freelance Illustrator and Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Char-Lynn Griffiths and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Char-Lynn, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
Your career is always a journey, and you can always change the destination, or take a detour if it excites you. I wanted to be a designer in high school but I was the first generation to go to college in my family, and I wanted to make sure I had a well paying job at graduation. I went into a career I liked, but didn’t love- and I still felt this calling to be more creative. At first, it felt impossible to transition, but I kept putting my creative work out there, and found a role that let me shine as a designer, but that required me to be a good market researcher as well. Now, with my work I realize that all of those roles built a unique path for me and one that I would not have found without visiting different career paths along the way! I’m also not sure if it’s my final destination, there are still so many things I want to try out and play with, and I know that my business now will only help move me further along to be doing even more of what I love to do in the future.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I was sitting up at 2 am with my son while I was on maternity leave 5 years ago, and I just thought I want to spend my time doing work that I’m proud of and that allows me the freedom and flexibility to express my creative side while still having time for my family. It was in that late night feeding that I knew I wanted to start my own art business. At first, I made terrible nursery art prints and threw them up on Etsy- and decided- ok now I am an ARTIST! While looking for other places to sell my not-so-great artwork, I stumbled across Minted, and began participating in their art challenges. There, I saw just how far I had to go to make the art I wanted to make. The Minted community of independent artists are exceptionally open and welcoming- and gave me a lot of advice on tools to learn, and classes to take that would level up my passion with real skill. After a few months, I won my first challenge, and had one of my art pieces selected by Pottery Barn Kids to be sold on their site. Since then, I’ve been addicted, and have been honing in my voice and style. I create whimsical art that connects little people to big ideas. I like to specialize in artwork for kids and the young at heart because its optimistic and positive- and creates a way to escape the down turns that life has from time to time.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Atlanta has so many pockets of amazing things to see and do- its also such an inspirational city for creatives. First, we would take a walk on the belt line and just enjoy catching up and seeing the different areas that you can walk to- I’d definitely take them to lunch somewhere along the path- there are so many great local restaurants- its hard to choose- but I’d probably pick somewhere in Ponce City Market to cross that off the list as well. After, we would head over to the World of Coke museum because you have to see that while you’re in Atlanta! And I’d probably end our day grabbing tacos at Superica- because I find any excuse to go there!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The partners at Talk Shoppe deserve a huge shoutout in my success. They hired me as a research manager and recognized that I was skilled in design. Within 6 months, they moved me into a creative role full time, and allowed me to learn how to be a designer on the job. I’ll always appreciate their faith in me and the opportunity they gave me to do the work I love, even though it could not be further from the job I was originally hired to do!

Website: www.charlynng.com

Instagram: @charlynn.g