Born Meriden, Connecticut, Charlotte Sternberg (1920-2003) was infatuated with art at an early age. Encouraged by her family, Sternberg took art classes at the local technical high school. After high school, Sternberg attended the Yale School of Art, where she learned to paint in egg tempura, and became one of the key artists who helped revive the medium. After completing her studies, Sternberg enjoyed a long career in commercial illustration, during which she created fashion illustration, portraits, and ad artwork for companies like Exxon, Textron, and Lederle Pharmaceuticals.

Sternberg enjoyed painting landscapes, particularly snow scenes of historical New England. Many of her Americana-rich paintings were turned into Christmas cards, tapestry pillows, puzzles, and decorative flags.