Southend chalk artist spreads joy with window artwork

Carrie Croud, 48, is a talented chalk board artist based in Westcliff and goes by the name Chalk of the Town, boasting more than a decade of experience bringing high streets to life.

Mural – A scene from the Christmas classic The Snowman. (Image: Carrie Croud)

Working all over Essex and even into London, Carrie has created hundreds of festive art pieces in the windows of high street businesses, in addition to residential homes.

She said: “I absolutely love what I do, spreading cheer and Christmas spirit. It’s incredibly heart warming and is my way of giving back to the community.

“I’ve been doing this for 15 years and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger – This year It’s ridiculous, it’s gone through the roof.

Busy – Carrie has been non stop since November 3 to decorate Southend and other areas. (Image: Carrie Croud)

Tailored – Each chalk art piece is tailored to the business. (Image: Carrie Croud)

“I’m fully booked until December 11, and have a lengthy waiting list of clients – most of which come from positive word of mouth from seeing my artwork out and about.”

Carrie has been working daily since November 3 to deliver Christmas chalk art at more than 60 locations, starting at 8am and working through until 10-11pm, saying: “My feet haven’t touched the ground since I started.”

Experience – Carrie Croud has 15 years experience in chalkboard and window art. (Image: Carrie Croud)

Her chalk art recently began to populate Southchurch Road, Southend, with shop window art at Belle Vue Estates, kingfisher chippy, The Exchange pub and more.

Other locations include London Road, Leigh Broadway and more stretching across Basildon and Southend, including Stock Brook Manor in Billericay.

Shopfront – Southchurch Road, London Road and Leigh Broadway are among the locations visited. (Image: Carrie Croud)

Starting out as a chalkboard artist writing menus in pubs and restaurants, Carrie expanded into window art when a Basildon pub asked her to write merry Christmas in the window.

She uses waterproof pens on the inside of windows, doing the outline, colouring it in and doing any writing in reverse, which she said was a “difficult skill that now comes naturally.”

Homely – Carrie also visits homes for tailored festive decoration. (Image: Carrie Croud)

“We have a quick brief for designs,” she added, “then I come up with something in my head and make it jump out to catch peoples attention.”

Chalk of the Town was also involved in the poppies on the pier event last month, where Carrie decorated areas of the pier and high street with poppy chalk art for free.

As the seasons change, Carrie can deliver all kinds of bespoke chalk art for any occasion.