Street artist and comedian Iszi Lawrence has been daubing the walls and streets of Edinburgh with images of the Festival. Naughty girl!

What’s this I hear you’ve been drawing all over the beautiful city of Edinburgh?
It’s true, its true. I’ve been creating focal interest points that spark interest about the Fringe.

Isn’t that just jargon for vandalism?
Not at all. I was commissioned by PR company, Good Sense of Humour, to chalk portraits of their comedians around the city. Also, I use chalk and charcoal so it all washes away. Like comedy, a joke fades as the laughter dies. So with my work, as the rain comes down.

How long have you been at it?
I’ve been chalking every day since the Fringe began. It’s been great fun drawing my heroes. As a comedian myself first and foremost, I know and love all these acts. Also Edinburgh’s wall are ideal and have great texture that …

Anyway, moving swiftly on, who have you drawn?
A whole variety of performers now. Paul Korensa, Robin Ince, Terry Saunders. My favourites have included Norman Lovett and Andrew O Neil. Both have such interesting comedy faces

What’s your background?
I’ve been hooked on comedy since a young age and I used to sneak as a minor into all the shows to watch my favourite acts. From there, I started to do stand up from the age of 17. With regards to art, I’ve always been into it. Drawing and designing flyers, posters and painting. I was chucked out of my GCSE class for refusing to draw a still life when I was 15. I was drawing a dragon instead.

Anyone you'd love to be commissioned to draw about town?
Alan Rickman. The man has a voice like chocolate breaking. He’s gorgeous. I’m not the only one who thinks that. I’m not wrong. I insist on this. I’d also like to chalk Andy Zaltzman's face up onto a wall. He has just the best face and is a great comic.

This is your sixth year up in Edinburgh. What keep’s you coming back?
Not the rain! Seriously, it is just magical here. It's the only time of year you get to see all your friends at once. Its exciting and it all makes me giddy. Also, if things get too much, you can just break away and go see a show and not get involved. I don’t have the stress of doing my own show this year, so I get to relax.

Best shows seen this year?
Sarah Kendall’s show - magnificent. Joanna Neary: best performance she’s ever done that I've seen. Plus I really recommend James Sherwood’s show at the Holyrood Tavern. It’s lovely, the song he sings at the end is still stuck in my head.

So, Iszi-Iszi, how after the Festival will you stay busy?
I’m re-designing my website so look out for its new look-and-feel next month. Also I’ll be doing more comedy gigs around the country. All my dates can be found online on the website.

Iszi Lawrence will continue to paint the town chalky until 27 Aug. for information about where she will be performing her stand up comedy next, check out venues and dates on her website.

Related links

www.iszi.com