Casey Drake, a Winter Park mother of two, has been doing her part to spread positivity during the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing classic childhood characters to life with colorful chalk drawings.
The former high school science teacher has taken to the sidewalks outside her home to produce quarantine-inspired chalk drawings of fictional characters such as Winnie the Pooh, Batman, Kermit the Frog, Buzz Lightyear and more.
Drake’s chalk drawings contrast the realities of the pandemic, such as sheltering in place, toilet paper shortages, social distancing, and wearing masks and gloves, with the humor and innocence of cartoons and movie characters.
A drawing of Kermit the Frog sitting on a pile of toilet paper rolls offers a spinoff of the Muppet’s famous song “It’s not easy being green,” reading “It isn’t easy being quarantined.”
In addition to depicting a stark reality through imagination and humor, Drake’s drawings also serve as reminders for health recommendations with creations such as a comic book-style batman reminding Robin to stay six feet apart or Star Wars’ Luke Skywalker reminding viewers to diligently wash their hands.
“It’s kind of therapeutic, especially when you’re stuck inside all day,” said Drake. “We need a mental break every once in a while from this.”
Another example of Drake’s designs touching on pandemic-related realities is a drawing from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” highlighting the inability to visit barbers during the county’s shelter-in-place order.
“If somebody can just smile as they’re walking down the street and for a second kind of break out of the sadness of the moment and the fear, I think that’s a win,” said Drake.
To see more of Drakes’ drawings, visit her Instagram page: @caseydrakemakes
