The following is submitted, July 2003, by Jeff Gutterud, brother-in-law of the artist.

Charles Schridde was born in 1926 in Chicago, but spent his childhood on a farm in a rural part of Illinois. His father died when Charlie was seven years of age forcing the rest of the family to move back to Chicago to find work. He received an art scholarship to the Chicago Art Institute at the age of 17. His schooling was interrupted by the war.

After his two years in the Navy, Charlie began a 25-year career as an illustrator, with work appearing in the "Chicago Sunday Tribune" and "Life" magazine. His clients included Motorola and Chevrolet. As advertising began changing from drawings to photography, Charlie changed his methods.

At...