Since his birth in Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 26, 1922, The life of Charles M. Schultz hasn’t been anything but drawing. As a child, he often read the comics section of the newspaper with his father and was nicknamed “Sparky” after Sparkplug, the horse in the Barney Google comic. Today, he is known world-wide for the creation of “Peanuts”. The simple style of round heads and depiction of children undoubtedly made a fanbase out of children . However, I believe older readers were able to sympathize with the constant disappointments and everyday struggles of Charlie Brown and appreciated the intellectual humour that Schultz often implemented along with “channeled loneliness” he felt during his in the army. Additionally, while Schultz didn’t intend to convey a religious or moral message, casual readers were able to take something away from the portrayals of mundane everyday life. The impact of the Peanuts gang was far-reaching and were the basis for many tv shows, musicals and merchandise. Interestingly though, the character of “Snoopy” is indicated as being more popular in some countries outside the US. Based on my own experience, Snoopy enjoys the same status of Mickey or Minnie Mouse especially in Asian countries, becoming more iconic that the Peanuts comic itself. Aside from illustration his well-known comic strip, there are not many works of his to be found although he was a free-lance illustrator and art instructor before gaining popularity. He later died before his last comic strip was published in 2000.

sources: https://schulzmuseum.org/collections/title/charles-m-schulz-art-collection/#https://schulzmuseum.org/collections/sat-evening-post/ http://www.artnet.com/artists/charles-m-schulz/3