The day shone brightly on the people enjoying the last days of summer at the Toronto Buskerfest in 2013. The smell of food wafted in the air accompanied by the sounds of music and chatter. The art student, Marc, was excited to be one of the few picked to participate in the festival. His excitement came not from the potential to make a few coins, but from his knowledge that people would stop to admire his work. His dream was to be an artist, to make his living from it. And what he desired most was that people would stop to admire his work, that they would talk about it, and that he would eventually sell paintings to be hung up on walls in people’s homes.
He enjoyed the feel of the sun’s rays beating down on his shoulders. The warmth would not last for much longer as September was nearing as well as the cooler days that came with it. His hand stroked the tarmac with a piece of chalk, adding some colour to his creation. The sound of the chalk and the murmurings of those who watched him lulled him into what he called his artistic zone. The simple strokes of the chalk on the tarmac gave him a sense of peace. This was why he loved art so much: it was only when he was creating that he felt a sense of peace invade him.
He glanced at what he was creating. He knew he was getting better at his technique and welcomed September for the lessons he would have with his teachers this year. He was moving into his final year – and then he would move out into the world to try and make a living.
He knew that working as an artist would not be easy. He was lucky, though, in that he had parents who supported him in his dream. In the meantime, he would continue enjoy the sun on this last weekend before school began; and he would continue to enjoy the admiration of those who stopped to look at his work.
Do you stop to look at sidewalk art?
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2014
This post was inspired by the Daily Prompt: Edge of the Frame)
Colline's Blog 
I’m always amazed by street artists. I often wonder what their daily lives entail. Do they work at some boring office job to make ends meet, eagerly awaiting the end of their shift so that they can return to their passion?
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We spoke to one once. What he was doing was trying to drum up some business – he painted/drew portraits for people. Quite a number of passersby were taking his card. And I think the coins people dropped in his hat would buy him lunch.
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I would if I saw it here. This is a very talented artist. Wow!
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We have seen a few of them in Toronto Michelle and I am always astounded with what they do with chalk.
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I think that he has an art future ahead of him.
By the way, kudos to you for making conversation with the subject of your photo. YOu brought humanity here with the combination of text and picture. 🙂
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Thank you Imelda. I enjoyed doing this and I think I will do so again 🙂
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My dad is a chalk artist so I always stop! It’s amazing what can be done with chalk on pavement.
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He must have completed some amazing artwork over time Annie.
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Yes, I love to see street artists at work, and more often than not, give them a donation. They put so much effort into these ‘temporary’ works of art. “The girl with the earring’ was one of the first real paintings my sister did, and it was an amazing copy. 🙂
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Whenever we attend the Buskerfest we fill our pockets with coins for this very reason 🙂
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Colline, this is fabulous integration of media! Your words were richly descriptive, and your photographs captured and evoked the emotions perfectly! I deeply enjoyed this!
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Thank you so much for the compliment Gracie.
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absolutely amazing! I have yet to see an artist that does art with sidewalk chalk. I would probably watch for hours if I did because all the pictures I see of it are absolutely amazing! Most street artists (of any kind, drawing, painting etc) I have encountered are very talented.
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We saw this particular artist on a Sunday morning so he had been working in this for a couple of days. I am sure that by the end of the weekend his creation would have been even more stunning.
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WOW. You captured it gorgeously.
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Thank you Cee. The tips and photos I see on blogs like yours have helped me pay more attention to the pictures that I take.
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Wow, he has amazing talent! We had a busker’s festival here in town too and it really is a great opportunity for artists to showcase their talents.
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I enjoy going to the Buskerfest Christy and we go every year. I enjoy listening to the music, watching the acts, and seeing the art.
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The picture of the girl with the pearl earing is amazing!
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I found it to be so as well.
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Sidewalk art is not very common here in India but wall Graffiti is slowly catching up. I love watching the sand sculpturing very popular in the beaches here, though.
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I have never seen sand sculptures – that I would be interested in seeing.
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http://www.nativeplanet.com/travel-guide/the-sand-art-odisha-000391.html
.it’s fun watching the artist work wonder with sand !!
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These are stunning! Thanks for sharing the link with me.
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🙂
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Always stop and admire the work… 😉
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Me too 🙂
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Yes! I love street art and I’m fascinated by how good it turns out. His picture is great
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It is fascinating, isn’t it, that they are able to create something so beautiful on such a rough surface and with a piece of chalk.
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I always stop, of course, I have great respect considering their capability to put the focus on a painting many hours! Thank you, Colline, for introducing this artist! Also I stop and give money to every sidewalk guitarist…
greetings by
P.S.:
society gives not enough attention to artists!
good luck for your own crafting projects!
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I do admit to not giving to every musician I see in the subway, though we do drop coin from time to time 🙂
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Pure heart of one artist I love it 🙂
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Says one artist about another 🙂
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