Who’s drawing that chalk art in downtown New West?

Sometimes you just need to look down to find a smile.

Elizabeth Cartagena is sharing her art with New West locals – through the medium of chalk. If you happen to spot a cute dinosaur-like drawing on the sidewalk, she’s likely responsible for it.

"I like to draw. I like to doodle and create stuff. That's just been the thing I've done for a very long time," says Cartagena. "I don't do it consistently, but there's times for instance, like during the pandemic, that meant I could do it more often."

When she’s not using chalk, you can often find Cartagena creating with pens and pencils. “That’s probably where I started a lot of the time because it’s the most accessible. You can draw on any surface with a pen or a pencil.”

Cartagena's art is appearing as part of the Downtown New West Business Improvement Association's (BIA) public space activation program. The grant encourages people to utilize local spots to inspire and create.

“The piece, the little kind of dinosaur – little monster; it’s not really clear as to what it is. I tried to keep them open to interpretation, so people kind of make up their own little story about what’s happening there,” says Cartagena. In the case of the piece showcased on the Downtown New West BIA’s Instagram, the little critter shares space with some flying hearts. “I like to think of it as releasing some love into the air. And who can’t use a little more love, right?”

The thing with chalk is the art is there one day, but could be washed away with rain the next. “It’s not something so permanent, just like a lot of things in life are,” observes Cartagena, “I like that aspect of it, so that people – those who get to see it, see it.”

There’s more to come, says the BIA

With the public space activation program into its fourth year, BIA executive director Kendra Johnston says much like the other projects you’ll see over the summer, Cartagena’s work is joyful and inspiring.

“We’re looking forward to another mural in our downtown. I can’t give too many details yet, but it’s a larger scale mural, hopefully to be found on Front Street in the next couple of months.” The BIA is also looking at funding a mini multicultural library at River Market, and another piece that uses urban fairy doors.

“They’ll be little tiny doors that fairies will be using in downtown New West to leave messages and little gifts for kids that decide to explore, so it’ll be interactive.” The project goes both ways, so kids can also leave messages or gifts for the fairies.

“We’re always blown away at the number and the quality of proposals we get,” says Johnston. “[These pitches sometimes come from] people who, this is not their profession, they just have a fantastic idea, and need a bit of support logistically and financially.”

Cartagena says it’s why a variety of art in the community is so important: whether it’s expression, meditation, or having fun, the possibilities are endless.

“Find your path and what you want to do, whether it’s writing, music, drawing or dance, there’s so many. It takes a little bit of time, of mediation, where you’re trying to be mindful of taking that time,” says Cartagena.

Ultimately, the most important thing Cartagena says to do is to do things for yourself. She says not to place an expectation on yourself to produce work of a certain caliber.

“Like so many things in life, don’t compare yourself to other people. See what you do, and just keep creating.”