If you are looking for a fun summer art project that’s free or very cheap, rewarding, and that will surely be enjoyed by others, you might want to add a graffiti project to your bucket list. Doing random graffiti projects (or even making them beforehand) and spreading them around town will bring a smile to every person’s face who encounters your art (and if it doesn’t, well, their loss!).

These graffiti projects are not meant to be spray painted on overpasses like juvenile declarations of love or lust; instead, they are portable and removable, made on your own mediums that you bring with you when you leave home. You might make mini canvasses, tiny rolled up bits of paper, big posters, or even Post-it sized art.

On your graffiti, you want to focus on creating positive, fun, or funny messages that are heartfelt and pleasing to see or receive. Don’t make mean, bloody-mouthed gargoyle art; as fun as that is to do—I have some in my office right now—it’s not for everyone! Instead, you want to make bright, uplifting pieces, perhaps with poems, quotations, or just simple messages of thanks or support.

Click the link above for some amazing examples, or use one of the ideas below. If you decide to make some portable graffiti, be sure to take photos and share them here!

·         Make lots of thank-you notes to pass around. Paint them with watercolors, doodle bright summer suns and fireworks with gelly roll pens, or just write your message creatively. You might want to leave a blank spot on each one to write individual messages to personalize them wherever you go, or you can just make them generic. Just make sure you mean it when you hand them out or sneakily tuck them in where they will be found.

·         Roll up your art in a scroll and tie a ribbon around it, then leave it somewhere someone will find it.

·         Make one of those signs that people post about selling items or seeking roommates, complete with the “Take One!” section at the bottom—you know, where you can usually tear off a phone number. Instead, make it a poster of positivity, and for each tear-off, create an artistic design, such as a bucket of sunshine, or ten smiles.

·         Create a puff paint shirt (remember those from the ‘80s?) or a big poster that says “Smile if you’re not wearing any underwear” or something that’s sure to get people to laugh. Feel free to wear it, or simply post it somewhere that is highly visible.

·         Tuck tiny notes into your library books. I always wind up with bookmarks or other people’s receipts in my books; how about a little note about your favorite passage, other books to read after this one, or just something like “It’s so wonderful to share this book with you! I hope you enjoy it!” instead?

·         Leave a mini piece of art with every tip you give this summer. Keep a pocket or bag full of them in your purse.