Artist Ali Cantarella is doing her part to make the Chicago area more beautiful. Through her colorful, whimsical illustrations on business fronts, in-store murals, city utility boxes and more, Cantarella makes the typically dull canvas into something much more aesthetically pleasing.

I first met Cantarella many years ago at a comic con and was immediately fascinated by her pet portraits. Through my recommendation, several friends have since gotten their pets immortalized by her talented brushwork.

While a senior at Columbia College, Cantarella self-published an all-ages graphic novel titled Hasty Pastry. Since then, she has created more art, illustrated multiple books, worked with corporate clients and more, including lending her skills to charitable organizations like PAWS Chicago.

A faculty member at Columbia College, Cantarella can often be seen around town with brush in hand beautifying usually mundane objects. While I have yet to actually see her in action, I see her handiwork in many places, like grocery store Carnival Foods and Tailwinds bike shop.

Photo credit: Cantarella.ink

Photo credit: Cantarella.ink

Cantarell’a latest work adorns a wall at Peggy Notebeart Nature Museum on the near north side of Chicago. Not only is the end result amazing, it was so interesting watching the progress on Cantarella’s Instagram page.

Photo credit: Cantarella.ink

Photo credit: Cantarella.ink

I love Cantarella’s work and this type of public art in general. Business walls don’t have to be boring, monochromatic slabs. Utility boxes don’t need to be uninteresting gray blobs. Close to my home, I always smile when I see Cantarella’s fellow artist Art Baltazar‘s illustrations bringing Skokie’s utility boxes to life. I love all of it and appreciate their talent and effort.

— John Wroblewski, online writer