Leah from Houston, Texas sent us a lovely audio message before sending across the following instructions on how we can all make our own chalk murals.
Tell us all how you made these wonderful chalk murals please Leah…
For a chalk mural that looks like faux stained glass, you’re going to need tape.
I went into my garage and grabbed all the tape I could find I found duct tape which worked fantastically but needless to say I didn’t have enough and it is kind of pricey. So I went down to my second option after my duct tape was finished in that was masking tape. I wasn’t a big fan cuz it kept tearing and I didn’t get clean lines but it also gave my mural a very unique look. I got tired of fighting the masking tape so I look deeper into the pile of tape that I had found.
And there it was! Hurricane tape. It was just as tough as duct tape but it was also reusable after I pulled it off I could retape it back to the sidewalk – using less tape and getting the same effect.
You’re also going to need a whole lot of chalk sidewalk chalk.
I had a box of Crayola sidewalk chalk 64 bright colors. I didn’t use all the colors but I did enjoy the pigment got the chalk left against the sidewalk. I also was using craZart sidewalk chalk as well. The colors were not as vibrant they were more in the pastel family.
As I colored my patterns I would rub the chalk in so when the wind would blow the chalk would not go with it. To help your mural stay for a longer term you can use a spray that artists use when they are working with charcoal and oil pastels. It is called Krylon Kamar spray varnish.
Any tips for others thinking of making their own murals?
There’s no wrong or right way just a creative way your way to express yourself and make your own mural you can blend your colors or keep them completely separate. It did take me some time to tape my design color and rub it in but it was worth every moment it was very relaxing and on a beautiful day, nothing can beat it.
As I colored, I got a lot of compliments from the golfers riding by I live on the 18th hole on a golf course. As days passed the golfers knew they were at the finish line when the saw the colorful psychedelic mural.
Tell us about yourself…
My name is Leah I’m 36 years old. I’m a groomer by trade and I have become an artist through quarantine. I have discovered pour paints and how much fun acrylics could be. You don’t have to spend a ton of money. Acrylics that can be found at Walmart for $0.50 to $2 can create a beautiful wonderful art piece.
I have made dozens and sold several pieces of my work. What’s so fun about it is that you can use almost anything canvas wood rocks anything.
My kids know where to find me and that’s in the garage. I have two rambunctious boys, ages 9 and 11 (18 months apart). They are always eager to get messy and join in with my crafty projects.
I recently found out that my 9-year-old is a big fan of embroidery and has a knack for it as he has finished his pillowcase.
It’s been such a blessing to have found housebound with kids all the wonderful crafty ideas. Housebound with kids has completely fulfilled every aspect of my creative essence encouraging me to do something creative every single day.
