During the first lockdown, I read that we were becoming ‘smile starved’ and subsequently depressed what with all the mask wearing and so I embarked on a little project - creating smiley faces in my area (Southend on sea) out of whatever I found lying around and what became my own version of street art, my chalk ‘shadow character drawings’. I basically just wanted to do something towards helping lift people’s spirits during a dark and uncertain time and pretty soon it became a ritual.
I carry my chalk with me wherever I go and whenever a stain or shadow jumps out at me as a character I draw around it. Sometimes the stain is dog wee, but I try not to think about that! 😬😂
I’ve done the majority of my work along the seafront in Southend and Westcliff but have also done it around West Ham stadium and other areas of Hackney wick and London.
Hope my little characters give you a smile today! 😊
