Chalkboard Art & Holiday Hoopla
It wasn’t long ago that chalkboard lettering and chalkboard art (especially on the classic blackboard) became a major trend. I’m sure you have noticed, it’s everywhere, especially at art supply stores, home decor studios, and gift shops. Plus, Pinterest is out of control with numerous, wonderful chalk board inspirational sayings. While I love studying trends, and sometimes let them influence my work, to be honest, this is one that I was going to let slide by without dipping my brush into it. I guess I was just feeling a little overwhelmed with the sheer amounts chalkboard art going on in today’s society.
Then, this summer I was asked to create some blackboard chalk illustrations and designs for a very special non-profit ministry that I care for deeply. It’s called the “Holiday Hoopla” and is a pop-up gift shop that happens once a year in effort to supporting women and children’s projects around the globe. And then I got to thinking about how much I love pastel and chalk art in general. In fact, my husband and I have been travel around the US for the last 3 years creating custom 3-D chalk art illusions in which we lovingly call ourselves People of the Chalk. So, I thought, why not give this chalkboard art technique a try?
I agreed to make the visuals to promote this year’s event and I am happy that I did. It’s a hybrid approach, but I created all the illustrations on an actual chalkboard and the lettering was done on the computer. (Right now I am a much better typography designer than calligrapher, but I’m working on that.) I had a lot of fun both illustrating and designing this little marketing campaign for our local community papers, flyers, social media friendly graphics and such. I am including some of the campaign graphics below so you can see how it turned out.
If you are local to the Denver-metro, Colorado area, please feel free to stop by. The selection is HUGE and beautifully arranged, I know the organizers shop the major gift marts across the US and have selected some wonderful items from unique watches, princess dresses, jewelry, ornaments, home decor items and much, much more! You will certainly find some wonderful gifts to exceed your Christmas gift shopping wishes and be supporting a worthy cause at the same time. See you there!
P.S. If any one else is on the fence on whether or not to try making chalkboard art, just go for it! I’m sure you will be amazed at the results.