These week’s Meet a Mom holds a special place in my heart. Flashback to 2020 and our family took a LOT of walks around our Circle C neighborhood. We walked by a house with some cool chalk art in the driveway and on the next walk we met the artist, Shelley Brothers. Every walk after that we would stop and see what “our chalk lady” had drawn. We tried our best to make our daughter’s birthday that year as special as possible and I was so happy when Shelley agreed to chalk a happy birthday greeting on our driveway for the Thomas the Train loving birthday girl. Our walks by Shelley’s house didn’t stop and it’s been so much fun to see her artwork take off (like even on a magazine cover!). I’m thrilled for you to meet Shelley, the Accidental Chalk Artist.
family photo by: Aneta Hayne Photography
Fast forward to more driveway sessions and trips to the library to get “how-to-draw” robot and monster books, I practiced and practiced. I suddenly found myself procrastinating housework and wanting to be outside finding my flow and connecting with neighbors instead. About four years later, I was shocked when people starting asking me to create drawings for birthdays and businesses. Me? Really? I couldn’t believe people wanted to hire me, someone without an art background. This is when I became the Accidental Chalk Artist. I realized that ultimately the answer to my question of what to be when I grow up is to spread joy and happiness.
Chalk art definitely checks that box! I have since created many custom driveway birthday greetings (thank you pandemic), chalkboards, done live events, participated in my first chalk festival and even had my art on the summer cover of the Magnolia Journal last year! Still pinching myself! I’m constantly learning the art of running a business and have loved meeting so many interesting people along the way!
LOVE hearing about your journey. Love that you dove into what makes you happiest. Switching gears to mom life, any time saving tips/resources?
Hmmm…asking for help definitely! We don’t have family here, so relying on our village helps with carpooling and unexpected life events. Also, HEB Curbside has been a life saver! My motto is “art before dishes.” Find time for yourself no matter what that looks like to you. I’m a grown woman who loves chalking on the driveway, so don’t be embarrassed by your thing! I find that doing something for myself first, helps me be more productive. I’m a big fan of blocks of time. I’ll set a timer for an hour and only clean for that long and then work. And of course there’s that cooking thing… the Instant Pot and air fryer are my besties these days.
