We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eva F. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eva below.

Eva, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I never intended to be an artist since I quit art before I was even a teenager. I was upset that I was told I didn’t try on a school self portrait when I had put my heart into it, and after all, art was not a practical way to support myself I knew even at a young age, being raised by a single mother.

Four decades later, I now live in NYC, a childhood dream I had growing up in Oklahoma. When the pandemic hit, I saw the boarded up storefronts and in a fit of righteous indignation that some mysterious people were making it even harder to live in the city I loved, I grabbed some chalk and drew on a big beautiful blank space. And then I did it again, and again, feeling the risk of being arrested did not outweigh my need to add something to the world.

Now about two years later I have continued to develop my art work, moving from outside to studio work, expanding media I use to include paint, oil pastels, found objects, and anything that sparks my creativity. I self-produced my first solo show (with help of my amazing curator, Louis Angel) and I’m now preparing for my second solo show. I had no experience in how to turn my art into an opportunity to both share my work and support myself and my family, but I’m on that journey now!

Taking risks is part of life and I am proud that I have taken this step forward because art is a great unifier of our experiences as humans and that’s so important today. Also, I’m having fun! Every day has its challenges and I prefer to create art than promote it, but I’m finding my way with the help of other artists and friends who remind me we can do things if we put in the work and follow our vision. I also hope that my journey can show others that there is know “right” way to go about life. I’ve taken a calculated risk to move in this direction and hope others will do the same with their passions.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

My street art-related merchandise as well as my studio art is available via my website (thechalkjungle.com) and my instagram (@thechalkjungle). I currently show my studio art in various group shows and also by appointment at my studio. I am open to commission work as well.

My hope is that my art, whether a t-shirt or tote bag you buy online or my original works, will bring its owner a sense of joy and also allow them to reflect on what is important to them. If my art makes me smile and one other person, I feel I have accomplished my mission.

I always love to hear from people about what they see in my art. Visual art is a unique language with many intrepretations.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I fundamentally believe that everyone is creative! It doesn’t mean you have to share your creativity with others to recognize you have it. I was recently at a meeting for corporate board work I do and when I shared my story, a woman told me she admired my creativity because she wasn’t. Then she proceeded to tell me how she made oil paintings every morning as a part of her routine! I encourage everyone to find whatever creative outlet suits them and not to worry that you need to share it with others, just do it for yourself.

What do you find most rewarding about being creative?

For me, being an artist gives me freedom to explore the world and my place in it on my own terms. I believe that coming to my art later in life was a gift because I have been able to create without immediate financial pressure to sell my work, although it is selling more and more each day. I’m opening my next solo show, Eve’s Garden Party, at All Street Gallery from November 28 – December 2. I hope you will check it out!

We each need to find our space for ourselves and I am so happy I’ve found it through art.

Contact Info:

• Website: thechalkjungle.com
• Instagram: @thechalkjungle
• Twitter: @thechalkjungle

Image Credits
Eva F and Hideki Aono (2 images from gallery show)