“A key issue in the mental health crisis is the importance of
destigmatization and open conversations about mental health.
Friends and family members are often affected, as they assume the role of
unprepared caretakers for those in need. If we can’t talk about it, we can’t fix it!
Thank you for your support and for joining the Pippin movement.”
Sincerely,
Christopher and Brigitte Norton
Charles’s parents.
The Story of The Pippins
The Pippins exhibit includes a collection of approximately 54 Pippin drawings with remarkable shading in color pencil and 21 corresponding poems by the late Charles Winthrop Norton, each featuring a satirical character known as a Pippin.
The colorful Pippin drawings symbolize the two sides of life, both the public and the private. Each individual Pippin challenges the internal conflict between the appearance of normality on the outside and turmoil on the inside. These works are both colorful and wonderfully humoristic but also offer a glimpse into a darker trauma and a more complex societal narrative.
Through his collection of Pippins, the artist seeks to provide a glimpse into his present struggle with the past and the delicate balancing act of managing these intertwined forces.
As he once put it: “when s*** from the past comes and spooks you, tell it to politely f*** off..."


About The Artist
Born in Born in Washington D.C, Charles Winthrop Norton spent his formative years in Bali, Singapore and France where his art would be influenced by his time in Provence and the works of Paul Cezanne. Travel provided him with a rich cultural, spiritual, and global perspective. After receiving his International Baccalaureate in Art, Charles attended school in Switzerland at Les Roches and later decided to pursue his passion for art with study at Intuilab in Aix-en-Provence. Charles continued his exploration of art and design when he moved to London to study Architecture at Central Saint Martin School of Art.
Charles would eventually move to Brooklyn, New York in 2018 as a full-time artist where he could be close to his beloved family.
Charles battled with severe depression and mental health issues leading to his death in July 2019 at 24 years old.
Despite his young age, Charles left us with a prolific body of work including paintings with a strong love for vibrant and unusual color combinations, drawings, illustrations, sketches, poetry, and two children’s books. Charles also developed a close multi-medium collaboration with his mother, sculptor Brigitte Norton, covering her sculptures in thousands of painted dots. The work that Charles left behind reflects his charismatic personality, his empathy for humanity and his wonderful, everlasting, sense of humor.


The Pippins Capsule Collection by La Bottega
JOIN US IN BEING PART OF A GLOBAL MOVEMENT. TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Mission
Art has the power to break down barriers and spark essential conversations about mental health. Proceeds from the sale of Pippin merchandise will support three key objectives: destigmatizing conversations around mental illness, providing access to mental health resources for those in need, and funding education and research initiatives. Importantly, we are decentralizing the collection and distribution of profits, allowing you to choose which local charities to support with your proceeds from your own merchandise profits.
Benefits
- Support a meaningful mission
- Enhance CSR ‘engagement
- Increase guest and staff involvement
- Differentiate your brand
How does it work?
1. EXPLORE
Visit the La Bottega booth and browse merchandise on www.labottega.com.
2. ORDER
Get Pippins merchandise at cost, with La Bottega donating their profits to mental health initiatives.
3. RECEIVE
La Bottega will ship it directly to you.
4. SELL
Offer Pippins products on your website or on-site at your hotel.
5. GIVE BACK
Donate your proceeds to your local charity of choice supporting mental health.
Thank you, Chris and Brigitte Norton, for involving La Bottega in such a wonderful project.