Cheryl “Ras” Thuesday

Cheryl “Ras” Thuesday is a Chinese-Jamaican, New Jersey-based illustrator originally from South London, England. Her abundant use of vibrant color is on display throughout her artwork, which is heavily influenced by her Jamaican and Asian heritage. She finds joy in using bold hues to portray a story and believes color can communicate emotion. What identifies a Cheryl Thuesday piece is vibrant color and experimentation. She finds joy in using bold hues to portray a story and communicate emotion.

Cheryl’s lively illustrations were first seen in Kind Like Marsha: Learning from LGBTQ+ Leaders written by Sarah Prager (Running Press, 2022) and then Willis Watson Is a Wannabe, a picture book by Carmen Bogan (Simon & Schuster/Denene Millner Books,  2024). Coming in 2025:  Just Love Story Bible, a progressive and inclusive take on the bible written by Jacqui Lewis and Shannon Daley-Harris (Beaming Books, 2025) and a picture biography of an LGBTQ+ icon, Edie for Equality: Edie Windsor Stands Up for Marriage Equality, by Michael Genhart (Lee & Low, 2025).

Cheryl studied Media Arts at Middlesex County College and attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City before going to work as an in-house graphic designer. Since turning to illustrating full-time she has created illustrations for, among other clients, the New York Times, NPR, Adweek, Adobe, and WeTransfer’s WePresent which was selected for the 2022 Communication Arts Illustration shortlist.

Download Cheryl “Ras” Thuesday’s Illustrator Showcase

See more of her work at https://rasillustration.com/work and on Instagram @rasillustration.