I like to incorporate some of my biggest personal and artistic inspirations into my work: puppet shows, nostalgic media, queer indie comics, and the magical girl genre, all of which have influenced me greatly throughout my life. In combination with these, I utilize bright, playful colors, round shapes, retro imagery, and spontaneous textures to inspire childlike whimsy in all ages. Despite its seemingly frivolous aesthetic, though, I use my work to examine topics that are typically taboo like loss, illness, and conflict. Avoiding uncomfortable discussions only makes us ill-equipped to handle these inevitable aspects of life.
I have three goals for my art:
About CJ
educate
inspire
connect
Joy and optimism lead to action, self-expression, and hope for a better future.
When we use art to understand other people better, we can encourage unity and make the world a more welcoming place for everyone, regardless of who they are.
The world is so wide! There’s a lot to learn about history, our environment, and the people around us. Education is the best way to expand people’s worldviews.
educate
inspire
connect
To accomplish these goals, I employ the crafts of illustration, character design, and puppet-making. Through digital art, fleece, foam, and pen, I aim to evoke playfulness and spontaneity in my work. I like to let my art develop itself throughout the process rather than following a strict pattern – combining planning with experimentation.
More about Me
My legal name is Caitlyn Ellis, but I prefer to use my pen name (CJ Fonnesbeck) where possible for professional projects. I'm originally from Texas, but now live in Virginia and study Entertainment Design at Southern Virginia University. Aside from my illustration and puppetry work, I enjoy writing, singing, and overanalyzing children's TV.