Chalk theWalk by Brooke Ezzo | photos courtesy of Brinley Ash
B
rinley Ash has become a household name over the past few months. The 20-yearold Lantana resident is bringing smiles with her sidewalk chalk art to many throughout the community.
What started as a fun afternoon activity
with a friend a few years back has turned
into a side business that is helping Brinley pay for college.
“My friend and I thought it would be fun to draw on the driveway with chalk,” Brinley said. “Our first drawing was of the sun
from the Disney movie, Tangled. It was a massive drawing.”
Every time the pair would hang out, they
would create masterpieces out of sidewalk chalk on the driveway. This artistic ability
has been a part of Brinley’s life for as long as she can remember.
“I would usually draw on paper
with colored pencils,” Brinley said.
“My favorite thing to do was to look at a picture, and then I would try to draw it exactly like the picture.”
Brinley’s only art class was in the 5th
grade, so she is mainly self-taught. She grew up drawing every day and would
figure new techniques out on her own. “I would be like, ‘What do I want to draw today?’” Brinley said. “I would choose www.LantanaLiving.com
something, like a lion, go find a picture of a lion, and try to mimic it exactly.”
This ability is a natural gift and something she didn’t always have time for. Between school and her job at Hobby Lobby, her
art took a backseat to her busy schedule. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and the stay-at-home order was in place,
Brinley was furloughed from her job. Like many others, the quarantine helped slow
down the pace of busy lives, and she was able to focus on the things she enjoyed. “It gave me more time to be creative,” Brinley said. “I started drawing more with the hope of getting myself out
there. I drew more on the driveway, and neighbors started noticing.”
Brinley posted on the neighborhood Facebook page offering driveway
how happy they are when they come out to see what I’ve drawn.”
Brinley seems to have no limits to what she can create. Driveways have been chalked with video game characters,
superheroes, cars, sports idols, Disney princesses, birthday and graduation shoutouts, and much more.
“I drew Tom Hanks the other day. I spent
four hours on it,” Brinley said. “That is one of my favorites that I have done so far.” In early June, Brinley competed in the Flower Mound Chalk the Walk competition in Heritage Park.
“I drew Thor with the words, ‘THOR-oughly over this quarantine,’” Brinley said. “I won best in my age group.”
She said she is blessed to be a part of
such a supportive community and looks
forward to many more chalk driveways in the future.
chalk drawings for any occasion and
Brinley’s talent extends beyond sidewalk
of requests.
murals, chalkboards, and wood signs for
was pleasantly surprised at the amount “This has really given a lot of confidence,” Brinley said. “I also enjoy doing it for the kids, too — making their day and seeing
chalk. She will glady create drawings, any celebration.
You can find Brinley on Facebook at Chalkboards by Brinley.
JULY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 7
