Summer time is a little too hot to just go running around
Florida chalking in the heat all day – so I did a few “non-street art” chalk
work to fill in the space.
My first test on hard board, framed and still looking for a home...
Then later I did this at First Friday and raffled it to raise money for Art Works...
As I continue my journey on getting my chalk certification,
I wrote an article for the FCAA newsletter on the freehand technique, so now
all I have to send in my application and bam! I am a Qualificato Madonnari! And
only a few steps from being Meastro!
The freehand method
At almost any festival I get a freehand comment from another
artist (I am looking at you Ron!) because I am one of the few that consistently
chalks without pouncing or gridding. But why the freestyle? For me, math- not
my thing. And sure, I could figure it out (my SAT math score were great, I was
shocked too) but most day’s I have trouble remembering to print out my
reference picture, let alone the set up time for other methods.
But all kidding aside, I feel that I learn and challenge
myself more when I freehand something. Sure, not everything is perfect, but
because I challenged myself I see an improvement each time, and not just in my
chalk but other art as well. I have developed a better sense of composition
over the years and have the ability to change/create things on the fly.
So how do I do it? Essentially, I am working from a grid
(only its imaginary). Start by finding the center of the workspace and the
center of your reference image. From there, quickly draw out the basic shapes
that are in the piece. I like to do this with that obnoxious orange piece of
chalk that come in the box that rarely gets used. Its bright and surprisingly
easy to cover. Once the basics are done step back and observe. If something
looks too big or small, adjust and redraw until you are satisfied. From there
you can pretty much just pick a space and start. Now, for most techniques the
ideal starting point is the top and you work down (less street yoga at the end)
BUT if you are freehanding it, I suggest starting at the focal point. So, if I
have a face in the center, I start there. Why? First, it gives the viewers
something interesting look at after only a short time into the piece, but
mostly it’s because if I misjudged my proportions when I get to the bottom, nothing
important is changed and left off. Throughout the entire process it is
important to get up and make sure you are still headed in the right direction,
everything always looks different while standing. And it’s the standing angle
that you want to look good, as that is where your audience’s viewpoint is.
So, I challenge everyone to give it a shot. If not at a
festival then on your driveway. Whether you end up liking it or not, chances
are you will discover something about how you currently work and ways you can improve.
Plus, it’s nice to just create something laidback and embrace the “happy
accidents” every once in awhile."
The beginning of the year chalk season may be over, but that doesn't mean I stop working! This is a chalkboard piece done for Giovanni Rana Pasta for a Trade show that took place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando Florida.
Chalk board is interesting to work on, impossible to blend... I much prefer sidewalk! Still a great experience, and on can never complain about extra work.
I visited BCC today as a guest demonstrator (and alumni) for the Art Club during Finals Fest! I chalked their logo while a handful of students did pieces of their own.
About 2 hours and 3x6? Its hard to determine the size of something when you just freehand it on the sidewalk. Hopefully we inspired more students to join and get involved in Artworks in November!
unknown size, about 6x6 and 4 hours
Done on April 17th at Florida Air Academy to celebrate their Earth Day Festival. The festival was put together to educate the kids and it was an awesome day filled with all kinds of events.
Select groups of students participated in an "Amazing Race" where they went to each vender and learned about different things. Below were my objectives and what each group had to do.
A) Impact and Power of Art
Objective: Something like street art (considered a
performance art) has a huge impact on those watching it get created as it
allows them to interact and get involved. The message is learned faster and it
sticks in your mind because of its size.
Activity: Get down and help! Fill in a fish scale with a
color of your choice.
B) Social Media as a Public Tool
Objective: Street art encourages you to take pictures of it
(since it is not doneon paper, once it rains it is gone), thus quickly
spreading the information and getting people interested without paper waste
Activity: Take a picture and share it online (facebook,
instagram, twitter, ect)
C) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Objective: Many things can be switched over to reusable form
so that there is less waste, even in the creative aspects of your life. Examples
for what I am currently using: cloth (recycled shirts) instead of wet wipes,
garbage bags instead of gloves, ect
Activity: Write down a way you can reuse or recycle
something wasteful in your life.
