A Wisconsin artist is making her mark across the state by bringing color and creativity to small businesses through her unique artistic talents. Chloe Tschudy of Waupun, who operates under the business name Oddball Arts LLC, specializes in creating eye-catching murals and window paintings for businesses throughout Wisconsin, turning her lifelong passion for art into a thriving career that supports local commerce.
Tschudy's journey into professional artistry began with a foundation in music rather than visual arts. "I've always been what my family would call 'artsy fartsy,'" she explained, noting that this was a term of endearment used throughout her childhood as she constantly engaged in doodling and various craft projects. Initially, she pursued a classical music path as a trained upright bassist in orchestra, but when that career direction didn't develop as planned, she found herself working at a coffee shop in Beaver Dam where she first discovered window painting for storefronts.
The transition from music to visual arts accelerated when Tschudy began operating Oddball Arts, a name derived from another affectionate family nickname. Originally, her business focused on makeup artistry and body painting, but the 2020 pandemic prompted a significant shift in her artistic direction. The combination of reduced demand for special effects makeup outside of Halloween season, the physical strain of standing all day, and the challenges posed by the pandemic led her to pivot toward commissioned art projects, particularly murals and window paintings.
Today, Tschudy works with a diverse range of clients, from major chains like Culver's locations in Fond du Lac and Oshkosh to various small businesses including retail stores, spas, daycares, dog grooming facilities, and auto repair shops. Her commitment to supporting small businesses stems from her belief in their vital role within communities. "For me, small businesses are like the heartbeat of our communities, and when they struggle, it's not just the business struggling. They're our neighbors and our friends and our family," she emphasized.
Tschudy's creative process varies significantly depending on the type of project. For window painting projects, clients typically provide her with logos, themes, or general concepts to work with, though she particularly enjoys projects with more open-ended briefs that allow for greater creative freedom. Her expertise includes understanding what designs will be legible from street level and determining what visual elements will best serve each client's specific goals. "I really like to just free paint," she noted. "I'm not typically someone who does sketches ahead of time for window painting."
Mural projects involve a more structured approach with extensive client collaboration. City-sponsored projects often require formal application processes, and Tschudy's work "Hippy Dippy" now serves as part of the Downtown Fond du Lac "Art Lot" on Fourth Street. For mural commissions, she creates detailed digital sketches based on client prompts or specified color palettes, then develops budgets based on the project dimensions. Once approved, she sources her materials from her contractor Sherman Williams and determines the most effective starting point for each project.
The timeline and approach for murals depend heavily on various factors including size, weather conditions, and surface type. For larger spaces, Tschudy typically begins with paint sprayers to cover background areas, while smaller surfaces are better suited to her preferred 2-inch brushes. One of her most challenging projects was a 200-foot fence at the Thirsty Beaver in Beaver Dam, completed during a particularly hot summer with temperatures exceeding 90 degrees. This extensive piece includes hidden details such as musical bars from "Sweet Caroline" and the owner's wedding song, followed by an interior mural featuring UV-reactive paint that creates special effects under blacklight.
The personal significance of the Thirsty Beaver project extended beyond its artistic challenges, as Tschudy's band was invited to perform at the mural's unveiling ceremony, with her bandmate also contributing to the painting process. This project exemplifies how her artwork serves dual purposes: promoting the businesses she works with while simultaneously building her own reputation as an artist throughout the region.
Tschudy's growing reputation has earned her recognition beyond individual client satisfaction. She has been voted best artist in Fond du Lac County for three consecutive years through community choice awards, an achievement she attributes directly to ongoing community support. "I wouldn't be able to do that if it wasn't for people in the community that continue to support me and share my stuff," she acknowledged.
Through her work with Oddball Arts, Tschudy demonstrates how individual creativity can support broader economic development by helping small businesses enhance their visibility and community presence. Her window paintings and murals serve as both advertising tools for her clients and artistic contributions to the communities where they're located, creating a collaborative relationship between artist, business owners, and the public who encounter her work daily throughout Wisconsin.
