Chalk The Walk

Chalkthe Walk

by Brooke Ezzo | photos courtesy of Brinley Ash

Brinley 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 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 chalk drawings for any occasion and was pleasantly surprised at the amount of requests.

“This has really given a lot of confidence,” Brinley said. “I also enjoy doing it for the kids, too — making their day and seeing 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.

Brinley’s talent extends beyond sidewalk chalk. She will glady create drawings, murals, chalkboards, and wood signs for any celebration.

You can find Brinley on Facebook at Chalkboards by Brinley.