September, 2008
The annual San Luis Obispo street painting festival known as Imadonnari, is steadily approaching again. The time of the year when artists from all different walks of life put their bodies to the ultimate artistic challenge for the common goal of seeing their work displayed on an unusual surface & for the pure joy of hearing the crowds of people, young and old, " oooh, and aaaahhh" at the site of it all. I was invited once again, once again I accepted, though I learned an important lesson. 

Lesson #1: DRAG ALONG SOME HELP.

What makes it such an extreme challenge? For one thing, it's a huge space. 8x8, 10x10 or 12x12 squares are nothing to scoff at. The surface of the "canvas" is uneven. It is full of grooves, old chewing gum, dirt, rocks, oil, cracks and the occasional bird crap. Our medium is (extremely soft) chalk pastel. The chalk basically rests on the surface of the asphalt and can adhere (a little) with the help of some water. The slightest gust of wind can erase an hour of work, smudging colors and lines into an unrecognizable, muddy blob. You're on all fours pretty much the entire time, except when you stand up and walk away to get a sense of perspective (which is a LOT) so it is an unbelievably great workout for the quads, lower back and buttocks. I'm usually unable to move the following day.

So why do it? Because it is so damn fun! It's for a great cause, The Children's Creative Project. It's also very inspiring! I really enjoy it when people stop and comment on the hard work and take guesses as to what they think it is going to be when the design is complete. It is interactive art, and it is a total blast. If my labor can inspire one person to take up drawing and coloring...need I say more?

-SM