Chalk Artist Highlight
Chalk Artist Highlight
Lettering and art accounts have become a super big trend on social media in the last year, especially with everyone searching for a new hobby in quarantine, but a particular new type of platform has been on the rise: chalk artistry. Yoobi got in contact with some of our favorite chalk artists and asked them what they love about what they do, what inspires them, and the questions we were all wondering about what it’s like to work with chalk on a daily basis.
- Please introduce yourself and tell us your name, where you are from, and your social platforms.
Hey, I'm Karen from @letteringbykaren! I am a lettering artist living in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, and you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
- Why did you start your platform?
I originally started an account on Instagram back in February 2018. I had been lettering for almost two months, and I wanted a way to keep it all in one place. I was a stay-at-home mom with a new exciting hobby, and I had no intention of anyone but close friends and family ever seeing it.
- What about working with chalk is different than other forms of art?
Chalk is by far my favorite medium to use. It's temporary, and it's forgiving. I believe that there is a certain stress that's lifted when you use chalk to create. Knowing that my chalk art will wash away with the rain gives me some sort of unwritten permission to experiment and try things without thinking so much about the end result.
There is a connection to the community with chalk that doesn't happen with other forms of art. People are drawn to the colors on the pavement. They want to see what it says. They want to know what I've created this time around, and they're usually anxious to see what I'll create next time. I have seen people walk out of their way to look at my chalk art. Occasionally, they'll even snap a photo. It has been shared on social media. Delivery drivers will sometimes avoid driving over it to preserve the chalk just a little longer. I've watched kids play on top of my art and try to pick out letters that they know. Chalk can bring smiles and wonder and excitement to an entire community, whereas other art is often only seen in pictures. I've never had a small child dance on my other art, but I have witnessed the coolest dance moves happen on top of my chalk. It's just amazing.
- How do you come up with content?
Sometimes, it is so obvious what I want to create. Most of my content stems from what happens around me during the day. It can be a song that I listened to, a conversation that my kids and I had over breakfast, an event that happened recently, etc. For those times when I don't have anything in mind, I usually turn to Google and search for something funny to letter. I like knowing that my content will make someone giggle or smile. I always keep it kid-friendly; my children are a huge part of my art and always want to see what I've created, and I want to make sure that all of my chalk art is appropriate for everyone. When I use chalk, my content is both weather- and time-dependent. If it's exceptionally hot, cold, or my kids are playing outside with me, I will usually do a smaller piece.
- What is your favorite part about your platform?
There are so many positive things that have come from my platform, but my favorite part is connecting with other artists and the teaching/learning that occurs. I love sharing things that I have tried and then watching someone else use the knowledge that they have gained from my platform to create something. It's incredible to know that something I did can impact someone else's process, their choice of medium, and even their confidence in creating. And then on the other side of that, I feel like I have grown so much as an artist because of the connections that I have made through this platform and the techniques and processes that others have shared. I would absolutely not be the artist I am today without my platform.
- Please introduce yourself and tell us your name, where you are from, and your social platforms.
I like to keep my actual name private, it’s part of the fun :) here are some general photos of me chalking.
- Why did you start your platform?
I started chalking about 5 years ago when I moved into a house with a sidewalk and decided to start writing messages for the neighbors, but I really got into chalking when covid lockdown started. I thought it would be fun to have an Instagram account and stay anonymous because I love doing little things to bring a smile to others and this allows people outside of my neighborhood and the Twin Cities community to experience it.
- What about working with chalk is different than other forms of art?
Chalk is so different than other art because it’s temporary! I like to say it’s like getting a bouquet of fresh cut flowers; you enjoy it more because you have to be in the moment and aware of your surroundings to see it and appreciate it.
- How do you come up with content?
I get ideas for content from what’s going on in the world, thinking of messages that people need in the moment, or Googling quotes from people I admire. My favorite has been surprising my friends with chalk messages - for celebrations or when they need a little pick me up. I also do specific message requests for hire and I’ve gotten to be a part of making birthdays, end of cancer treatments, graduations, home purchases, and retirements extra special.
- What is your favorite part about your platform?
I love that I can go to new places in the Twin Cities and just do art wherever! It’s so fun to meet people while chalking or watching people interact with it - whether it’s pausing to reflect, taking a picture, or kids asking their adults what it says. I’ve also gotten to meet other Twin Cities chalk artists through Instagram that have led to in person meetings, chalking together, and trading tips on the best concrete and pavement to chalk on in the area! I love that I get to be anonymous on Instagram and send a little bit of sunshine from my corner (or rather, sidewalk) into the whole world.
- Please introduce yourself and tell us your name, where you are from, and your social platforms.
Hello! I’m Stacy Lazzara, and I’m an interactive chalk artist living in South Elgin, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago) with my husband Mark and our two daughters, Ashlyn (8) and Averie (5). The best place to find me is on Instagram at @stacylazzara.
- Why did you start your platform?
The craziest part of my chalk art journey is that I fell into it completely by accident. In March of 2020, near the start of COVID-19 quarantine, I stumbled upon the idea for an interactive chalk drawing online. Because my family had been cooped up in the house, I thought it would be a fun excuse to get outside and entertain my two young daughters for an hour. I had so much fun creating that first drawing that I decided to create another one the following week, and then another.
My one-off art project quickly evolved into an ongoing series, and as our audience grew, it warmed my heart to hear that our artwork was bringing joy to so many during a difficult and isolating time. My youngest daughter was just finishing up 2.5 years of treatment for Leukemia, and my artwork felt like a beautiful way to pay forward all of the love our family had been shown throughout Averie’s medical journey.
- What about working with chalk is different than other forms of art?
I think there’s something really beautiful about both the texture and the temporary nature of chalk. All of the photos I post capture a fleeting moment in time, and then it’s inevitable that the artwork will either begin to fade or be completely washed away by the first rain. Also, I love that the canvas for chalk is quite literally the community; it helps build connections. I’m always touched when neighbors and passerbys stop to chat or take photos; chalk art makes for a great conversation piece!
- How do you come up with content?
When I first started chalking, the idea of being in quarantine was a fresh concept, and every day I would ask myself “what adventure can I create for my daughter today without leaving our driveway?”. Then, as the project evolved, I started taking inspiration from some of our favorite books, movies, and tv shows. I’m a huge pop culture fan, so that opened a whole new world of possibilities.
- What is your favorite part about your platform?
will never take for granted that my platform provides an opportunity to infuse joy into the world, and I’m constantly exploring new ways to use my artwork for good. Last summer, I partnered with Make-a-Wish to create custom chalk murals for a handful of local Wish kids whose Wishes were on hold due to COVID, and that was an especially meaningful experience for me as a Make-a-Wish mom myself (Averie’s Wish to go to Disney World was granted in December of 2019).
Also, I love that Ashlyn has been my creative partner since day one. Her imaginative poses and facial expressions are truly what bring the artwork to life. I really cherish our time together creating, and also love that she’s learning her own ability to make a positive difference in this world. Her heart is so big, and I couldn’t be more proud.
To get started on your own chalk art check out Yoobi’s chalk here and to see these chalk artists online just click their handle!
