COLUMBUS, Ohio — Art is meant to be enjoyed, but for one central Ohio woman, her art is only temporary, which she says is the perfect way to honor those on the front lines of this pandemic.
“Chalk art, like the situation we are in right now, is temporary,” explains artist Hilary Frambes. “That’s kind of like a metaphor for ‘This isn’t going to last forever.’”
This too shall pass. Frambes has been using chalk to create art for about 15 years. While her busy season filled with festivals and events was supposed to be getting underway, she too is now working from home — specifically, her driveway.
“For the past three weeks, I’ve been doing chalk art related to the pandemic. And specifically I’ve been featuring people on the front lines of what’s going on in Ohio.”
Her first piece took off online, even catching the eye of the governor.
“Dr. Amy Acton, I think, has been such a calming voice for all of us here in Ohio, just a voice of reason and stating facts. She was talking about not all heroes wear capes, so I, of course, gave her a cape in my chalk art,” said Frambes..
Her next piece was beautifully detailed, taking about eight hours to complete.
“I did Governor DeWine. His portrait includes the daffodils in it because of the daffodil story he told. That was kind of like the hope of spring and the hope of this is temporary and it won’t last forever.”
Then came a tribute piece for the healthcare workers on the frontlines.
“We are Buckeyes and we are strong. Governor DeWine said that. I thought, why not use Brutus Buckeye as a doctor? I gave him a jacket and he’s kind of leaning on the quote, telling us that we’re going to be OK and that we’re strong.”
Those amazing works of art have since washed away, but are memorialized in pictures, as Frambes continues her mission to create works of light in a world that can seem pretty dark right now.
“I think it’s a little bit of both as a thank you and an honoring. It warms my heart because I see these messages and comments to me online saying thank you so much, I love these, this is great.”
Her newest work is paying tribute to the teachers who have had to change and adapt to teaching online.
And while her works are professional, she’s hoping it inspires you at home to pick up some chalk and start drawing your own messages of hope with your family.
If you do create your own chalk art, be sure to share it with Spectrum News 1 on social media:
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