Creating Festive Chalk Murals: A Colorful Journey at CrossFit Salt
- Your Name
- Dec 3
- 3 min read
Over the past three Christmas seasons, I have had the unique opportunity to create festive chalk murals for CrossFit Salt, a local gym in Brunswick, GA. Each year, I get to bring holiday cheer to their walls with giant chalk drawings inspired by my favorite seasonal inspirations. This project has become a tradition that challenges me to work with a rough surface and limited materials while delivering vibrant, joyful art for the gym community.
Choosing Holiday Themes
When I start planning the mural, I focus on classic holiday images like Christmas cookies, wrapped presents, candy canes, and ornaments. These elements are fun and colorful, making them perfect for a public space like a gym where people come to feel motivated and connected.
I sketch out several ideas on paper first, playing with composition and scale. Because the murals are quite large, I keep the designs simple and bold. This helps the images stand out from a distance and makes them easier to reproduce on the wall.
Working with Plywood Walls
The gym’s walls are made of plywood, which is far from an ideal surface for chalk art. The texture is rough and uneven, which limits how much layering and fine detail I can add. Unlike smooth surfaces, plywood doesn't exactly allow for the chalk to layer or stick.
I focus on clear shapes and strong outlines that maintain their readability despite the wall’s texture. This means avoiding overly intricate designs and instead emphasizing bold color blocks and shading.
From Sketch to Wall: The Projection Method
After finalizing my sketches, I digitize them on my computer to create clean line drawings. This step helps me refine the shapes and prepare the projection design.
I use a projector connected to my phone to cast the digital image onto the plywood wall at the exact size I want. This method saves time and ensures accuracy when transferring the design. I trace the outlines directly onto the wall with chalk, creating a clear guide for coloring.
Coloring the Mural
Coloring the mural takes about six hours from start to finish. Before heading to the gym, I carefully plan my color palette to avoid wasting time deciding on the spot. I choose colors that complement each other and fit the festive theme.
The process begins by applying a base color to each section of the drawing. I use my fingers to rub the chalk into the wall’s texture, smoothing it out and helping it adhere better. Once the base layers are set, I add shading and highlights with different chalk colors to create depth and dimension.
Overcoming Physical Challenges
Working on large murals means I often have to reach high spots and awkward angles. This can really put a strain on your neck and shoulders. Thankfully, CrossFit Salt has sturdy boxes that I can stack like scaffolding. This setup is more flexible than using a ladder, allowing me to move around easily and maintain control over the drawing. And moving those boxes around gives me a great workout!
Reflecting on the Experience
Each year, I look forward to seeing how the gym community reacts to the new designs. The murals add a festive atmosphere that brightens the workout space and brings people together.
Working with chalk on plywood has taught me to adapt my style and techniques to challenging surfaces. It’s a reminder that creativity often thrives within constraints.
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