Review–Sidewalk Canvas

 

Book Description

 

In cities and towns throughout the world you may see an area of sidewalk decorated with chalk or pastels. This art form originated in Italy during the 16th century, with vagabond artists who painted religious pictures directly on the paved public squares, using chalk and charcoal. Thanks to the International Street Painting Festival in Grazie di Curtatone in Northern Italy, the art form has been revitalized, and festivals such as Absolut Chalk in Pasadena and the Italian Street Painting Festival in San Rafael, CA, attract up to 600 exhibitors and 60,000 visitors annually. Part folk art, part performance art, this fascinating genre, where chalk is substituted for paint and asphalt or concrete for canvas, is growing in popularity in the virtual world too, with online blogs and video streams celebrating the art.

Packed with vibrant examples from the author and other leading international street painters, Sidewalk Canvas includes magical 3-D illusions, original amusing twists on the old masters and works by artists famous in other media. In addition to a gallery of the best street painting from around the world, there are insights into how it is executed, where to find it, and how to create your own work. As well as appealing to practicing artists, art educators and the hundreds of thousands attending festivals worldwide, the book will also interest those commercial organizations seeking to commission street paintings for promotional purposes.

Book Review

 

I have always been astounded by sidewalk artists.   My first exposure to sidewalk art would have to be watching Mary Poppins as a young child.  You know the scene where they jump into the sidewalk painting.  Of course, nothing as magical as that has happened to me while viewing sidewalk art at festivals.  But the amount of imagination that these artists have is amazing. 

 

This book takes a look at chalk art through the ages.  I never realized that people were doing chalk art as far back as they did. 

Not only do you get a glimpse of the images but also a behind the scenes view of how they create these incredible images.  This book can be looked at as sort of a primer into the world of chalk art.  If you have ever wanted to know more or how, then this book is definitely for you.

Sidewalk Canvas: Chalk Pavement Art at Your Feet (9781565235649): Julie Kirk-Purcell: Books ISBN: 1565235649 ISBN-13: 9781565235649

In conjunction with the Wakela’s World Disclosure Statement, I received a product in order to enable my review. No other compensation has been received. My statements are an honest account of my experience with the brand. The opinions stated here are mine alone.