The artwork of David Lee Csicsko brings smiles to people’s faces. His bold, bright creations add cheerfulness to every subject he interprets, no matter how somber the topic.

Take the lives of saints. Most people grew up with holy cards and statues that depict saints in their martyrdom and perfect holiness, as exceptional people to revere in a detached, superhuman way.

Csicsko takes a different approach. Enthralled with the saints since he was a child, his playful images make them human and approachable, inviting viewers to learn more about them and to embrace their messages. He likes to use what he calls “accessible symbols.” For example, St. Therese, the Little Flower, is depicted in wide-eyed joyful amazement, surrounded by roses. It’s easy to be inspired to follow her “little way” of acting with kindness and love.

Csicsko describes himself as a graphic designer and illustrator. His designs are created by computer, and then transferred to the medium of choice. A lot of his work is in print, on posters and notecards, and the colorful shopping bags at Mariano’s grocery stores.

He also works in mosaics, stained glass, and cutout wooden sculptures. This past year, his designs were printed on fabric for producing face masks. He develops the designs, then works closely with artisans who create the final products, supervising and making decisions throughout the process.

Csicsko has a bachelor of fine arts degree from Cleveland Institute of Art. In college,

he was exposed to many art techniques, resulting in his broad approach to projects.

“With friends in sculpture, ceramics, textiles, and other areas, I became familiar with a lot of art disciplines,” Csicsko said. “I am fortunate that I have been able to use my design ability for projects using a lot of different media.”

Csicsko was born in Hammond, Indiana, in 1957, to parents who grew up in Chicago. After college and a few short jobs, he moved to Chicago in 1982. He has always worked as a freelancer and has an impressive list of accomplishments, including many volunteer contributions.

“My dream was to create ads for Marshall Field’s, which I thought was the greatest store in the world, and to work for the Chicago Tribune,” said Csicsko. “I was very persistent, I kept at it until I met the right people. I got jobs, and one project led to the next. I developed a lot of long-standing relationships.”

He did do work for Marshall Field’s, and his illustrations appeared in the Chicago Tribune for years. He was hired by Judie Anderson when she was the newspaper’s director of illustration, and their relationship continued beyond her tenure there. Anderson has nothing but praise for Csicsko and his work.

“I saw the potential he had. He was so creative. I never had to tell him what to do or how to do it. I would explain the story or the project, and say, go with it. And his work was wonderful every time. He always surprised me, I could never predict what he would do,” Anderson said.

Csicsko has done several stained glass projects for churches and hospitals, including designing a chapel at Lurie Children’s Hospital which includes a wall of stained glass windows called the “Forest of Hope.”

That work led to an invitation to create Christmas decorations for the White House. In 2012, Csicsko’s stained glass wreaths appeared in the windows of the East Corridor, his white wooden cutout trees adorned the first lady’s garden, and his planter boxes featuring greenery and his ceramic medallions graced display tables. first lady Michele Obama voiced her pleasure with the work.

Three years later, Csicsko had Pope Francis and Chicago’s Cardinal Blase Cupich laughing in public when, during a trip to the Vatican, the cardinal showed Francis a copy of Csicsko’s “Flat Francis.” A project of the Catholic Extension, this was an image of the pope that people throughout the U.S. could cut out and pose with, in preparation for the papal visit to the U.S. The Catholic Extension received over 3,000 photos of Flat Francis from around the country.

Over the last year on Facebook, he shared numerous coloring pages of his images for people to enjoy while they are sheltering in place at home. Csicsko likes birds, which often figure prominently in his work, and were the subject of many of the coloring pages. This spring his designs appear on a variety of items for fundraising by classical music radio station WFMT, including a bird orchestra on a T-shirt and images of famous composers on coffee mugs.

He accepts commissions from private clients for sculptures and other projects using his original designs. His family portraits are popular. He designed one for the Obamas and received a handwritten letter of thanks from the president.

One of Csicsko’s favorite accomplishments was illustrating the children’s book “The Skin You Live In,” which parents and teachers can use to start discussions of important social concepts with their children. He has written other children’s books he is looking into publishing.

Although Csicsko’s work may be playful and fun, as an artist, he is serious, precise, and a perfectionist in details. Anderson called Csicsko’s work “distinctive and unique.”

“He could work on anything. This was before computers so he did his graphics by hand, using black paper and an X-ACTO knife, and his work was amazing,” Anderson said.

Csicsko, modest and grateful about his talent and portfolio, just wants people to enjoy his work.

“I’m so happy to be a working artist, making a living drawing pictures. I like using my imagination and expressing the joy and positive in life. I try to be inclusive, and represent diversity, and make my images relevant to today,” Csicsko said.

He also said he enjoys collaborating on projects. Working with the White House was a big thrill, and he got to work with other artists from all over the country. He also enjoys working with the Archdiocese of Chicago.

A little cheerfulness can go a long way these days.

Carol Flynn is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.