A mother of three in Alabama recently discovered a new way to be creative: drawing chalk art on her driveway.
After a TikTok video showing her colorful drawings and motivational quotes went viral, she decided to make it a daily habit and share it online.
But just five days into her new routine, her homeowners association (HOA) received a complaint. In early July 2025, they emailed her about community rules, including a 10 p.m. curfew that required her to wash away her artwork every night.
Mackenzie didn’t let that stop her. She now wakes up at 6 a.m. each day to continue her chalk art, showing that her creativity can’t be stopped.
“Waking up early to redraw the chalk art became my quiet protest,” Mackenzie, who asked PEOPLE to omit her last name, told PEOPLE exclusively. “I’m not doing anything harmful. I’m spreading color and kindness.”
The 32-year-old mother and her 2-year-old son have been turning their driveway into a canvas every morning for over a month. It has become a daily ritual she can’t imagine skipping.
When choosing a motivational message for the day, she picks something that speaks to her and runs with it.
“I love drawing sea creatures, flowers, and little whimsical pieces, but the main theme is positivity,” she shares. “Every morning, I try to write an inspirational or funny quote. Something that might make a neighbor smile on their walk or while scrolling on TikTok.”
Unfortunately, not all neighbors were happy.
“I got an email saying someone complained that it was tacky. After some back and forth, we agreed I would wash it off by the end of the night or face a fine,” she explains.
Despite the complaint, Mackenzie has received a lot of support from her community, both online and in person.
“People have left me chalk, knee pads, and sweet notes. A neighbor even put a cushion on my driveway for me to sit on,” Mackenzie reveals. “It shows how kind people can be, and that one person’s negativity doesn’t represent the whole community.”
Even though early mornings are hard, Mackenzie says a mix of stubbornness, spite, and joy keeps her going.
She has lived in the neighborhood for a few years, and this is her first real conflict. It surprised her, because she has always felt connected to her neighbors.
Although she suspects who complained to the HOA, Mackenzie told PEOPLE she doesn’t want to confront them. “I’d rather put my energy into the art than justify it,” she says.
She and her family love their neighborhood, and despite the setback, it has sparked something wonderful: an inspiring online community that continues to support her. A single negative experience won’t stop her.
“I’ve learned that sometimes, the most beautiful things come from pushback. I didn’t expect chalk art to change my life, but here we are,” Mackenzie says. “As long as I can, and as long as people smile when they see it, I’ll keep going.”
