Michael "Charly" Ilchmann's biography tells the story of the author's eventful life, beginning with his childhood and youth in the Bergisches Land region. It is not only his humble origins, his creativity and his craftsmanship as a master painter that characterize him and shape his life, but also the numerous encounters with his fellow human beings. His openness, friendliness and social intuition, but also his sensitivity, are portrayed and made clear in a wide variety of experiences in his biography. Particularly noteworthy, however, are the numerous guest commentaries by companions from his personal, professional and Schalke environment. Self-image and external image are rarely the same. You are welcome to form your own impression of him.