Andre Chaney
Painter · Illustrator · Author · Muralist
Andre Chaney is a painter, illustrator, author, and muralist whose work transforms stories of hope, identity, and community into bold visual narratives. Rooted in the belief that art can be both a mirror and a bridge, his creative practice spans public art, illustration, and storytelling—each guided by a deep love for connection, color, and humanity.
Early Life & Inspiration
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Chaney discovered art as a language long before words could capture what he felt. His mother recognized his gift early on—encouraging him to draw on anything he could find, from notebook margins to scrap paper—and teaching him that art could be a tool for both healing and communication. Her faith in his imagination remains the foundation of his practice.
Those early years, surrounded by the textures and stories of city life, would later shape his artistic vision: to honor everyday people and everyday beauty. Through vibrant colors, layered compositions, and storytelling imagery, Chaney paints the emotional landscapes of his community—the resilience, the playfulness, and the dreams that make Philadelphia pulse with life.
Artistic Development
Chaney studied visual arts and illustration in Philadelphia, developing a style that bridges realism with symbolism. His paintings often blend human figures with metaphorical elements—rays of light, plant growth, and city skylines—to depict transformation and self-discovery. Over time, his canvas practice evolved into large-scale murals and community collaborations, allowing his work to live in the open air, where anyone could experience it.
Major Works & Collaborations
In 2025, Chaney was named the featured artist for Mural Arts Month with Mural Arts Philadelphia, where he created the signature artwork Where Art Meets Hope. The piece, depicting a child with a paintbrush transforming into their older self above a city skyline, became the face of the monthlong celebration and inspired a collaboration with Mural City Cellars. Together they released a limited-edition Cabernet Sauvignon featuring Chaney’s art, with a portion of proceeds supporting Mural Arts’ public programming.
His creative portfolio also includes collaborations with Ronald McDonald House Charities Philadelphia—designing a ground mural and sensory play environment centered on joy, inclusivity, and healing; Girard College—painting a four-wall mural series celebrating “Roots & History,” “Arts & Expression,” “Academic Growth,” and “Future & Community”; Afromation Avenue—merging creative workshops and storytelling with youth empowerment; and The Logan Library’s “We Will Write the World” Project—a collaborative mural uplifting literacy, self-expression, and cultural pride.
Each project reflects Chaney’s ongoing commitment to using art as storytelling and transformation—a way for people to see themselves not just as subjects, but as authors of their own narratives.
Founding Made2Believe
In 2025, Chaney expanded his creative footprint by establishing Made2Believe, his independent publishing imprint dedicated to producing stories that center imagination, empowerment, and the lived experiences of Black children and families. Through Made2Believe, Chaney aims to publish original children’s books—including his forthcoming titles—as well as future illustrated works that celebrate identity, emotional growth, and boundless possibility.
Made2Believe represents the next evolution of his practice: a space where visual art, narrative, and community all meet. The imprint’s mission is to help young readers see themselves as capable, courageous, and creatively powerful—because every child deserves stories that invite them to believe in their own magic.
Artistic Philosophy
Chaney’s body of work is distinguished by a sense of light—both literal and emotional. His paintings often depict Black subjects as radiant, imaginative, and limitless, positioning joy and reflection as revolutionary acts. Whether on canvas, on a city wall, or within the pages of a book, his work asks viewers to pause, to see, and to believe in possibility.
Guided by his mother’s wisdom and a lifelong love for his city, Chaney continues to build a practice grounded in love, legacy, and community. His art reminds us that hope isn’t passive—it’s painted, planted, published, and shared.