Heineken Cities Showcase + 99x

It's been a minute, but I've been so busy lately that I forgot to post about this really awesome chalk experience I had. It was almost religious, I tell ya. 
I heard an ad on my favorite Atlanta radio station a couple weeks ago (that I've been listening to since middle school) looking for artists for this Heineken Cities Showcase in the East Atlanta Village. It's only my favorite place to party in the city (since I live *gasp* in the northern 'burbs) so I applied for fun saying I wanted to showcase my street art. Imagine my surprise when I actually got chosen!
My original plan was to just do a small-ish piece that I could finish in a couple hours, but something about that wasn't speaking to me. The weekend before the show, I was starting to panic when the leaders of my chalk art group hosted a 3D tutorial with some rather famous street painters from Florida. Monday morning, I knew what I had to do. I took some measurements in my fabulously flat driveway, whipped up a quick proof-of-concept sketch, and emailed the marketing director of 99x asking for a 10'x44' space for my piece instead of the 4'x8' that I'd originally applied with. It only took about 10 minutes for him to call me directly and say that he loved the idea and they'd get me the space. Oh no, what have I done?
After lots more sketching, Photoshop stretching, and gridding, I was finally ready to start on the afternoon of the show. My husband came out to help me and several of my friends and family also showed up for support. It took a bit longer than I thought and I had to cut out a small detail piece, but I actually pulled it off! I managed to design and draw my first real interactive 3D chalk piece. I can't even describe the amazing energy and fun atmosphere that night. Surrounded by musicians, fellow artists, and my cheering family, it was certainly an  experience I won't soon forget.

It also marks the latest I've stayed up partying since college, so I counted that as another win because I can usually barely make it to 10pm.