I SHOWED UP AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED

Projects I cared too much about.

CHALK THE BLOCK

In June 2025, I participated in Chalk the Block in Montgomery, Calgary—a one-day community chalk art event. I created a 5x12.5-foot beaver mural holding a Canadian flag, drawn directly onto the bike path along Bowness Road

To prepare, I spent two weeks practicing with sidewalk chalk, completing four 6x6-foot murals and testing my final composition on my driveway. I wanted to be ready, but nothing could fully prepare me for the actual day.

Rain delayed the start of the event, washed away my doodle grid, and later threatened to erase the piece just as I had finished blocking in the colours. I just stood and watched it start to happen, but another participant came over and helped me cover it with a clear plastic sheet. That small act—someone else deciding my piece was worth saving—gave me the energy I needed to keep going. Once the hard work was over and the sun came out, I enjoyed chatting with passersby and giving out a few stickers I had made.

I didn’t win the popular vote, but I received the Organizer’s Choice award. It felt like a quiet affirmation from the universe: a little nudge to keep going with this whole “art thing.”

Yellow chalk text on concrete reads: “Kristy Lannan Chalk the Block Montgomery Night Market June 28, 2025” with doodled smiley faces, a heart, a star, and crown. The artist’s shoes are visible at the bottom edge. Created as a playful doodle grid during event prep

Chalk art portrait of a grizzly bear on wet pavement, drawn by Calgary-based visual artist Kristy Lannan during practice for Chalk the Block 2025. Rain began falling mid-session, creating a speckled texture across the bear’s face and fur.

Vibrant chalk drawing of a bear with rainbow-like strokes of pink, yellow, blue, and orange. The expressive lines create a soft, textured look against the concrete, blending realism with playful colour.

Sidewalk chalk drawing of a Canada goose with wings outstretched, detailed in shades of black, pink, and tan against a bright blue water background.

Chalk outline of a beaver holding a Canadian flag, drawn by Calgary artist Kristy Lannan during early stages of her Chalk the Block 2025 mural. The sketch sits atop a playful white doodle grid featuring abstract faces and flowers, created just before rain interrupted the process.

Sidewalk chalk mural of a colourful bull trout with text reading: “BULL TROUT — Alberta’s Provincial Fish — Keep the Bow Wild.” The fish is rendered in vibrant greens, oranges, and blues with a strong conservation message.

Chalk drawing of a cheerful beaver holding a Canadian flag, surrounded by blue swirling water-like patterns. This was a practice piece for the Chalk the Block competition.

Chalk mural of a joyful, cartoon-style beaver proudly waving a Canadian flag, surrounded by vibrant blue swirls. Drawn during the Chalk the Block event in Montgomery, Calgary, this final competition piece features bold outlines and saturated colours, with the artist’s name “Kristy Lannan” signed in the corner.

Mural Camp with Syd the Artiste

In May 2025, I took part in Mural Camp—a weeklong intensive led by Syd the Artiste and hosted by SpanicArts, alongside seven other talented creators. We spent the week designing and painting large-scale murals, then capped it off with a gallery exhibition to share our work with friends, family, and the community.

We used doodle grids to transfer our designs onto the walls—mine was a tiger, titled The Grande Tiger. It was an opportunity to experiment with my painterly style and push my comfort zone with large-scale public work. This mural helped me see what’s possible when I give my art space to roar (literally). I left the week feeling inspired, exhausted, and ready for more walls.

Drawn to Art with Genna Blackburn

In April 2025, I joined Drawn to Art with Genna Blackburn—an online course for finding your “art style.” What I found instead was a minor identity crisis.

Turns out, I’m not ready to pick one box and live in it forever. I avoided half the prompts, spiraled a little, and mostly wrestled with the idea that having a “style” = being taken seriously.

But I did find a digital color palette I love. I did build a Procreate workflow that feels kind of natural now. And I did make a few pieces that actually look like they belong together. So maybe it worked more than I thought.

I’m still in my experimental era. The people around me say they can always tell when something’s mine, even when I can’t. I’m trying to trust that.

Liminal Space Collection @ Theatre Calgary

In March 2025, a selection of oil paintings from my Liminal Space collection was displayed in the lobby of Theatre Calgary during their production of Blithe Spirit. It felt surreal (and very on brand) to have my emotional breakdown era on display at a professional theatre.

I started this collection, promptly had a mental breakdown, received a diagnosis that was later retracted, and ran off to live in the mountains for two years while training to become an art therapist. These pieces accompanied me through panic attacks, essays, long hikes, and the slow process of rebuilding trust with myself. I finished the collection as I finished my training. In a way, their completion marked the healing of my inner artist.

This was the first time I truly allowed myself to believe I might be an artist. Not just someone who makes stuff, but someone building a body of work that says something.

75 Art with Genna Blackburn

In January 2025, I made a smart move: I joined a 75-day art challenge. Somehow, I stuck with it and created something every single day for 75 days. It was a powerful way to kick off the year, and it reminded me what’s possible when I stay committed, even when my emotions are getting the better of me.

I mainly worked digitally and followed the daily prompts fairly closely—at least until near the end, when I began to experience the existential dread that comes with the end of a commitment. The challenge gave me structure, discipline, and a sense of momentum I’d been craving.

After the 75 days were up, I couldn’t maintain that daily pace—but to be honest, I don’t think my energy is built for that kind of grind. The real challenge for the rest of the year has been learning how to stay in motion without burning out, finding new projects, and making space for rest and not letting weeks pass without touching my practice.

This challenge reminded me of what it could look like to be an artist. Now I’m figuring out how to keep showing up like one—on my terms.