One of my favorite items in my apartment is this chalkboard. It was gifted to me by a friend as a housewarming present and it has been a game-changer. Whatever message is on there serves as a gentle reminder on a daily basis. It is also a piece of art that is constantly evolving. Instead of switching around paintings, I can just update the existing artwork.
Staying Limber
However, most importantly, rendering this chalkboard art is an opportunity to stretch my analog muscles and keep that part of my brain active. Muscle memory is essential for hand lettering and this allows me to practice and keeps me inspired. Additionally, this has the added benefit of showcasing my experience and improvement to potential freelance clients.
Flavor of the Month
Each one of these was written at a different stage in my life. I try to update the chalkboard at least once a year but if the mood shifts, a fresh lettering piece is on the horizon. At the onset of the pandemic, I lettered the chalkboard with my daily schedule in order to keep myself on task and motivated.
Likewise, when I turned 30, I lettered a chalkboard to try to stay positive about it. And when I needed a positive affirmation, I lettered lyrics to Andy Grammar and Bob Marley. This has the added benefit of keeping those songs firmly rooted in my head on any given day.
The Gift that Keeps on Giving
One of my favorite things about this gift is that it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Not only does it have all the benefits mentioned above, but it also instills a sense of pride in my work that I can appreciate every time I walk into the room. It is a huge confidence booster. I highly recommend investing in one.