Category: FINE ART
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The Men of Earth came to Mars
“The Men of Earth came to Mars. They came because they were afraid or unafraid, because they were happy or unhappy, because they felt like Pilgrims or did not feel like Pilgrims. There was a reason for each man. They were leaving bad wives or bad towns; they were coming to find something or leave something or get something, to dig up something or bury something or leave something alone. They were coming with small dreams or large dreams or none at all…it was not unusual that the first men were few. The numbers grew steadily in proportion to the census of Earth Men already on Mars. There was comfort in numbers. But the first Lonely Ones had to stand by themselves…”
― The Martian Chronicles
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Arbor Lakes Chalk Fest 2017
Zach and I created a large 10x20ft mural in Arbor Lakes this past weekend. We enjoyed chalking alongside so many talented people. This image was a compilation of child fairies at different ages. It represents our future son and all the possibilities. And of course it would not have been complete without a little magic.
We had some challenges with the heat, the wind and the rain but we pulled through. After the storm, Zach had to redraw two of the children and I had to touch up the face. We were lucky as most other artists’ pictures were washed away completely.
This festival is amazing and the organizers Nancy and Shawn are wonderful. Kris and and our sponsor Patty were very helpful as well. We could not have had the event without them. I look forward to next year and the arrival of our son!
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Community joins in the chalking at Fire in the 4th
Fire in the 4th was a celebration of 100 years since the Old 4th Ward district of Atlanta burned down in a devastating fire. What a better way to remember than with a day of celebration with music, art, street preformers and a fire show. Zach and I were asked to lead a community chalk mural with the patrons at the event. We were very excited to bring chalk art to Old 4th Ward once again. We started out by grinding squares for each person to draw in. I focused on a larger drawing in the center of a Phoenix woman in flames. All around me children and adults of all ages came and left their mark. There were popular subjects such as cats and rainbows but each one unique to the individual who drew it.
Later in the day the sky got dark and rain came. We did our best to cover our work but it all washed away. To us however, the chalking was a success! Chalk art in its nature is ephemeral and the best part was the experience of bringing people together through our art. Everyone enjoyed drawing and seeing my art come to life as well. I would love to do more events like this one and really like the public engagement of an event like this.
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Chiaha Harvest Fair
Chiaha Harvest Fair takes place every year in Rome GA. It is a local festival that strives to support the arts. The proceeds of the event go to scholarships to help art students in the community to succeed. There is live music, vendor booths, and food. There is plenty to do for the whole family. The kids section engages young artists and encourages creativity through activities and crafts. Each vendor booth hosts unique art from people who travel near and far. Learn more about the festival here.
I had the honor to create a large chalk mural for the event along side two other chalk artists. I chose to draw this woman with purple hair and flowers around her. I loved the contrast of green against the purple and felt she was magical.
This was the final drawing. 
Eternity Arts Chalk was used in the shading of the lips and hair. 
I adjusted her hair color to have a purple tint. 
The finished mural was 7x7ft 
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Chalking in Nashville
I was invited to chalk in Nashville this year at the Nashville Chalk Fest at Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center. I was really excited that there was another large chalk festival within driving distance of Atlanta. This gave us the opportunity for a road trip and we were able to bring our dachshunds! They provided a very nice hotel room as the Courtyard Marriott was our sponsor.
Final Janelle Monáe by Jessi Queen -
Macon Bragg Jam and Shakey Graves in Chalk
Bragg Jam is a music and arts festival in Macon Ga in honor of the Bragg family. You can read all about the background of the festival here. It has grown so much since we first started going and has a lot of publicity. I created the logo for it a while back and Chalk for the event every year. This year I wanted to create something a little more detailed. I decided to chalk the headliner Shakey Graves. I got permission to draw a really unique picture of him with his guitar. Here are some highlights.
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Chalk Demo at Atlanta Streets Alive
Our Georgia Chalk Artists Guild has grown so much in the year that we have been established. This past Sunday we had our very first Mini Pop Up Chalk Festival. Atlanta Streets Alive is an awesome event backed by the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition and the city of Atlanta. Peachtree street was closed for a long stretch from Midtown to downtown. They had a bicycle parade and the street was open for people to walk, run, bike and play. The event is meant to encourage individuals to get out of their cars and enjoy the city. We were chosen as a vendor and were very excited for the chance to draw on a road that is never free of traffic. Located right next to the Fox theater we were able to hear Broadway singing as we chalked. Here are some of the highlights…
We started by setting up a sign and putting out some chalks. I planned a few large collaborative drawings for audience participation that Zach managed.
I had invited fellow artists Kristen, Adam and Jaimie to do chalk art demos with me. It was their first time chalking and they really enjoyed trying it out.
Kristen drew a cover to her favorite album.
Kristen’s work in progress 
Adam and Jaimie also chalked some nice pieces.
Jaimie’s Jack Skelington 
Adam in the zone. Zach is really great with kids and directing the collaborative pieces. The pop up chalk fest was really about educating the public about using chalk as an art form. Many people were inspired by the process and wanted to chalk.
Chalk artists can be any age 
Paul started the witch drawing and gets the hang of it I kept to my demo most of the time but also got people to help me fill in the orange on the leaf or add some shading.
Marc helps fill in some orange 
We really enjoyed a successful day on Peachtree Street making new friends and sharing the craft with so many people. Keep your eyes peeled for more events in the coming months.
If you’re interested in organizing your own event, please reach out to us and we can help you get started.
Jessi Queen
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Wee Faerie Village in Connecticut
I love visiting my sister because she is so creative and fun. Katie Faile is a local illustrator in New London Connecticut. Her husband, Erik, is in the US Navy so of course my magical sister draws both faeries and submarines. She is very talented at what she does and was recently selected to be in a local art exhibition. I flew up to see it for myself.
Connecticut is a very artistic state and in the heart of it is the Florence Griswold Museum where the American impressionists took flight and the Wee Faerie Village was born. When you get there you are given a map and you can wander the grounds to each numbered village to learn and experience it for yourself. Here are a few of my favorites…
Cinderella’s pumpkin house 
The door to Arial’ s bedroom 
Five towers with five princesses Off to middle earth
Elf Kingdom 
Welcome to the Shire 
A frog prince protects his towers 
A secret door in the woods 
Bell’s book nook 
Beauty and the Beast’s Castle 
Acorn houses in a hanging teacup And last but not least, Katie’s paintings were displayed in a series of four. They told the story of the evil gnomes who steal faerie wings and how the faerie queen drove them away by knocking over all the toadstools.
The story was further illustrated with hanging branches and faerie wings. 
Katie beautifully arranged the wings and branches to frame each piece. I am so proud of my sister. Her work is truly amazing and I was glad to get to see it in person. She is also going to teach some illustration classes at the museum to share her watercolor and inking techniques.
My trip would not have been complete without seeing a bit more of the area. Katie drove me around to all the small towns to see little shops and lighthouses in Watch Hill, RI.
Everything was very beautiful especially the fall leaves! Devil’s Hopyard, CT
Then we went to Ender’s Island and I was really blown away. It was the most beautiful place right by the ocean. Needless to say, I went crazy over the daisies!
