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Find Out MoreAlum unveils talent to uplift neighbors
Danielle Francy takes her art to the streets
By Megan Bradshaw on May 11, 2020
For as long as she can remember, Danielle Francy ‘18 has enjoyed studying art and composition.
“My mom has always been crafty, and I learned about painting and drawing from my father,” Francy notes. “I attended Sudbrook Middle Magnet School and studied art for and hour and a half every day.”
But in high school, she hit the gym and discovered a new structure to explore: anatomy and physiology.
Francy majored in exercise science at TU, intrigued by muscles’ make up and interconnection, body structure and mobility. When she graduated, Francy became a personal trainer at the Merritt Clubs Canton.
But when the shutdown limited everyone’s movement, the Catonsville, Maryland, native found herself at loose ends.
Bored and unable to find the sidewalk chalk Francy thought was in the garage, she asked her mom to buy a set of 149 from Sam’s Club, and Francy took her first step into the public art scene.
On April 12, she drew bunnies outside her home to celebrate Easter. Noting the number of children in her neighborhood, her attention turned to what she liked as a child: cartoons.
Over the last two weeks, Francy’s weather-dependent gallery has featured SpongeBob SquarePants, Scooby Doo and Shaggy, Dexter and Dee Dee from Dexter’s Laboratory, Chuckie and Tommy from Rugrats and The Powerpuff Girls among others.
The recent spate of rain hasn’t bothered Francy. “The rain washes away the drawings, and then I have a brand-new canvas.”
So far, all of her subjects been chosen by the artist. But she is always looking for suggestions.
“People come up and compliment my drawings and remark they remember the character,” Francy says. “On a walk recently I was stopped by three different people who said how much they love my work.”
Meeting new people and making them smile has been a silver lining for Francy—one that could have an impact after everyone returns to work.
“I could definitely keep doing this. I work weird hours as a personal trainer, and people in the neighborhood get excited when there’s a new drawing. Besides, I have plenty of chalk left!”