Julie Johnson creates her newest sidewalk mandala.

Julie Johnson started drawing seasonal chalk greetings in front of her house on Beeler St. during the pandemic: an Easter message with colored eggs, a New Year’s greeting, a heart for Valentines Day. “It was my effort to bring a little cheer to members of the community,” she recalls.

She soon decided she wanted to make more elaborate creations, but not being a trained artist, she needed something accessible. She landed on mandalas. “They’re a combination of beautiful color and design.”

Her designs are often whimsical. A summer creation featured a repeating pattern of popsicles, ice cream cones, and flip flops. A Thanksgiving turkey included mandala- style tail feathers. Johnson has found the process to be therapeutic for her. “It’s not permanent, so I let go of perfectionism.”

The drawings have also garnered a following in the neighborhood. People tell Johnson that they’ve changed their walking route to see them.