Multidisciplinary Creative Director and Graphic Designer with 20+ years of experience translating complex ideas into clear visual narratives and cohesive design systems. Leads projects from concept through production, collaborating with clients and creative partners across art, fashion, community, education, and culture. As a professional artist and art educator, I create mixed-media and digital artwork for exhibitions and commissions while delivering hands-on instruction that strengthens technique, visual communication, and self-expression. I also bring precision styling, color, and team mentoring experience that supports client experience, workflow, and safety standards.…

Try Cheatham

Multidisciplinary Creative Director and Graphic Designer with 20+ years of experience translating complex ideas into clear visual narratives and cohesive design systems. Leads projects from concept through production, collaborating with clients and creative partners across art, fashion, community, education, and culture. As a professional artist and art educator, I create mixed-media and digital artwork for exhibitions and commissions while delivering hands-on instruction that strengthens technique, visual communication, and self-expression. I also bring precision styling, color, and team mentoring experience that supports client experience, workflow, and safety standards.…

Available to hire

Multidisciplinary Creative Director and Graphic Designer with 20+ years of experience translating complex ideas into clear visual narratives and cohesive design systems. Leads projects from concept through production, collaborating with clients and creative partners across art, fashion, community, education, and culture.

As a professional artist and art educator, I create mixed-media and digital artwork for exhibitions and commissions while delivering hands-on instruction that strengthens technique, visual communication, and self-expression. I also bring precision styling, color, and team mentoring experience that supports client experience, workflow, and safety standards.

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Work Experience

Stylist at Bishops, Navy Yard
January 1, 2026 - Present
Delivers precision cutting, styling, and color services through individualized consultation and visual design. Builds client relationships while contributing to an inclusive, creative, service-centered studio environment.
Project Art Teacher at EYL Project
January 1, 2026 - Present
Leads project-based visual arts instruction using demonstrations, mixed media, creative problem-solving, and individualized support. Develops hands-on learning experiences that strengthen technique, visual communication, confidence, and self-expression.
General Manager at Scissors & Scotch
December 31, 2023 - July 8, 2025
Managed overall business operations, implemented innovative business strategies for revenue growth, promoted a collaborative work environment to boost team productivity, and optimized resource utilization for cost-effectiveness. Elevated revenue by strategizing business operations, optimizing resource use, built a team-focused culture, boosting productivity and operational efficiency, and introduced novel business strategies significantly enhancing profitability.
General Manager at Scissors & Scotch
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Managed overall business operations and implemented innovative business strategies for revenue growth. Promoted a collaborative work environment to boost team productivity, optimized resource utilization for cost-effectiveness. Elevated revenue by strategizing business operations and built a team-focused culture, greatly enhancing profitability.
Digital Media Artist
February 1, 2021 - Present
Orchestrating the fusion of art and technology to create compelling marketing materials. Boosting sales revenue through engaging promotional advertisements and expanding the customer base with innovative design strategies. Elevated brand presence by integrating cutting-edge design, increasing engagement.
Master Stylist / Elite Trainer at Scissors & Scotch
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2026
Delivered advanced grooming and styling services while mentoring team members and supporting client experience, sales, workflow, sanitation, and safety standards.
Freelance Graphic Designer / Lead Design Illustrator at Tryunique.me
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2026
Developed brand identities, campaign graphics, illustrations, social content, editorial assets, presentations, and print-ready collateral. Built visual systems using typography, color, composition, image direction, and layout standards for consistency across digital and print touchpoints. Led concept development from creative brief and sketches through revisions, production files, vendor coordination, and final delivery. Collaborated with clients and creative partners to translate objectives into audience-focused visual solutions for art, fashion, community, education, and cultural projects.
Outreach Liaison Nonprofit Volunteer at Tryunique.me
April 30, 2020 - July 8, 2025
Provided Ayurvedic hygiene services to local shelters. Partnered with DCHealthcare Support Systems. Pioneered fundraising initiatives for community health organizations. Innovated art programs and essential services for community upliftment. Mentored homeless youth, promoting self-expression and value development through art. Orchestrated bi-weekly food distributions and art therapy sessions, meticulously improving community care.
Digital Media Artist at Tryunique.me
January 31, 2017 - June 1, 2025
Orchestrated the fusion of art and technology to create compelling marketing materials. Boosted sales revenue through engaging promotional advertisements. Expanded customer base with innovative design strategies. Elevated brand presence by integrating cutting-edge design, increasing engagement. Creating digital media art with advanced 2D/3D skills, revolutionizing digital art delivery, and designing compelling marketing materials that improve brand recognition and customer engagement.
Educator at Aveda
January 31, 2012 - July 8, 2025
Maintained cutting-edge knowledge in the beauty industry, continually updated with annual education, stayed abreast with current market trends. Ensured mastery in current trends through rigorous annual training, enhancing educational content and student skills. Introduced session work and MUA into curriculum, broadening student capabilities and industry readiness. Designed activities for diverse learning styles, promoting independence and resilience in challenging tasks. Championed a dynamic learning environment, encouraging exploration and persistence for optimal student growth.
Educator at Aveda
January 1, 2008 - January 31, 2012
Maintained cutting-edge knowledge in the beauty industry through continuous annual education. Introduced session work and makeup artist curriculum components to broaden student capabilities. Designed activities for diverse learning styles promoting independence, resilience, and encouraged a dynamic learning environment.
Stylist
April 1, 2006 - Present
Designed bespoke hairstyles for high-profile events, enhancing client satisfaction. Mastered advanced hair coloring techniques, ensuring consistent high-quality results. Customized hair extensions installation based on style photos and client preferences. Developed personalized hair care regimens, boosting customer loyalty. Scheduled future appointments proactively, driving repeat business. Boosted client retention through innovative styling and personalized hair care advice.
Stylist at Aveda, Bang, Scissors & Scotch
March 31, 2006 - June 30, 2025
Designed bespoke hairstyles for high-profile events, enhancing client satisfaction. Mastered advanced hair coloring techniques and customized hair extensions installation based on client preferences. Developed personalized hair care regimens to boost customer loyalty and scheduled appointments proactively to drive repeat business.
Illustrator Artist at Tryunique.me
December 1, 2003 - Present
Revolutionized digital art delivery through the integration of advanced 2D/3D art skills. Boosted brand recognition through meticulously designed logos and brochures. Pioneered unique art classes in the community, enhancing local artistic talent. Mastered diverse mediums including oil, acrylics, and charcoal for bespoke art pieces. Cultivated strong partnerships with media and craftspeople.
Illustrator Artist at Tryunique.me
December 1, 2003 - June 2, 2024
Revolutionized digital art delivery through the integration of advanced 2D/3D art skills. Boosted brand recognition through meticulously designed logos and brochures. Pioneered unique art classes in the community to enhance local artistic talent. Mastered diverse mediums including oil, acrylics, and charcoal for bespoke art pieces. Cultivated strong partnerships with media and craftspeople.
Outreach Liaison Nonprofit Volunteer at Tryunique.me
November 30, 2003 - April 29, 2020
Provided Ayurvedic hygiene services to local shelters and partnered with DCHealthcare Support Systems. Pioneered fundraising initiatives for community health organizations. Innovated art programs and essential services for community upliftment. Mentored homeless youth promoting self-expression through art. Orchestrated bi-weekly food distributions and art therapy sessions to improve community care.
Professional Artist at Tryunique.me
January 1, 2003 - Present
Produces mixed-media and digital artwork for exhibitions, commissions, public-facing projects, and community programming. Manages creative direction, client communication, budgets, timelines, and presentation of finished work.

Education

Master of Media Design at Full Sail University , Winterpark, FL
February 4, 2024 - February 6, 2025
Bachelor of Arts at The University of The District of Columbia, Washington, DC
August 1, 1999 - December 31, 2003
Associate of Science at CINTA Aveda Institute, San Francisco, CA
April 1, 2007 - May 31, 2008
Bachelor of Arts at The University of The District of Columbia
August 1, 1999 - December 31, 2003
Associate of Science at CINTA Aveda Institute
April 1, 2007 - May 31, 2008
MFA, Media Design at Full Sail University
January 11, 2030 - August 19, 2026
BA, Studio Arts at University of the District of Columbia
January 11, 2030 - August 19, 2026
AS, Cosmetology at Cinta Aveda Institute
January 11, 2030 - August 19, 2026

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Retail, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Healthcare
    Brand Guide, Media Assets, Letter Head
    Developed a cohesive visual identity system for the Desert Rattlers, a conceptual ECHL hockey team. The project included custom-designed letterhead templates, social media assets, and a comprehensive style guide to ensure consistency across print and digital platforms. The design approach blends gritty desert-inspired textures with bold, athletic typography and a high-contrast color palette, reinforcing the team’s fierce and modern image. The style guide outlines logo usage, brand colors, fonts, tone of voice, and visual applications, while the social media package delivers branded templates for announcements, scores, and community engagement. The letterhead design aligns with the team’s identity, built for internal and external communications with professional polish.…
    Juneteenth Logo 2025
    Juneteenth Logo Project Video This video presents the design journey of a new Juneteenth logo—from initial to the final emblem—set against a backdrop of culturally significant visuals. It includes: time lapse and motion graphics.…
    Brand Look Book, Style Guide
    Curated publication or digital collection that showcases an artist’s body of work in a professional, cohesive format. The Style Guide document defines the visual and verbal standards of an ECHL brand to ensure consistency across all platforms and materials. For an artist, business, or organization, it acts as a creative rulebook video…
    Brand Media Assets
    Developed and managed cohesive brand media assets, including logo systems, color palettes, and typography standards. Curated photo libraries and designed social media templates, press kits, and marketing collateral to elevate public engagement. Maintained consistent visual identity across digital and print platforms in alignment with organizational messaging and outreach goals…
    Brand Style Guide
    A visual and verbal identity guide defining the classic-yet-modern aesthetic of a San Francisco Mens Barbershop. The guide outlines logo usage, brand typography, signature color palette, tone of voice, and photographic style. Rooted in tradition with a San Francisco edge, it ensures consistency across signage, merchandise, social media, and in-shop experiences—capturing the spirit of precision grooming and community connection.…
    Brand Vision Book
    Harvest Brand Vision Book A strategic visual guide outlining the core identity of the Harvest brand. This vision book captures the brand’s mission, tone, values, and visual direction through curated typography, color palettes, logo usage, and imagery. Designed to align teams, inspire stakeholders, and ensure cohesive storytelling across all platforms.…