Last weekend I woke up early, packed up my chalk, a pillow, a flat dolly and water and drove to the annual sidewalk chalk art event in Carlsbad, CA, known as ArtSplash.
As I made my way down the long street, Armada Drive, by LegoLand, I remembered that last year I had vowed not to participate again. Hard on the body. Two days of glaring sun. Sitting on hot tar. Creating a three dimensional image with accurate perspective while crawling around the square (or scooting around on a dolly). Tough on the back, the hands and knees.
However, this year, I walked with a bit of excitement in my stride. I hadn't made up my mind on what I was to paint (in chalk). I was going back and forth between several designs, but felt I wanted to do it in black and white (I was the only artist who didn't use color). I asked for a small square this year 5'x2.5'. Last year: 8'x8'....too much for one little artist. As I sifted through the crowd already gathering, I made my way to the registration tent. The excitement started to grow from within. I could feel a certain amount of confidence (my fifth year) and joy about being out with hundreds of people, sharing the experience of art and creativity.
I spoke to would-be artists, parents, kids, anyone who stopped by to view my work. People would stand for minutes at a time, as if entranced by the magic transpiring on the street. Talented artists laid chalk to tar in an effort to create life-like images. Successful with their endeavors, the artists continued with pride and confidence. And for some, amazement at their own achievement. Colored dust gently danced across the surface as artisans blew and rubbed their chalk pastels into masterpieces for the endless parade of families to experience.
Joy, laughter and conversation rose up over the crowd and carried east on the ocean breeze from the west coastline. Every now and then I would have to stand, sip some water, brush my hair out of my face and chalk from my cheeks. It would be at this time that I would look west over the flower fields to the water - so bright - so blue - and thank the Universe for the experience of sharing my gifts, my talent. These are hard times for everyone (myself included) and to take two days out of the stress of managing affairs, just two days to create something for others, well, it makes everything else worth enduring.
As people stopped to talk about the piece I was drawing, I would share the importance of the program, their participation and the excitement of fund-raising for such a worthy cause. It was a way to say thanks for coming out and supporting this endeavor. Funds were also raised through silent auctions. I created a hand painted clock this year that was auctioned off for about $120. Yay! Three birds with instruments on their way to play. Many beautiful clocks, skim boards and painted chairs brought in lots of money! And those who won the bids walked away with affordable, original artwork, forever marking an annual event for their community and for the arts.
And such talent! Young artists, old artists, quiet and bold. Designs of such beauty! Tradition is to honor The Masters, but some break out and reveal creations of great invention and intriguing perspective. Each artist experiencing the pressure, the beautiful pressure, of performing before an audience. Of working out one's psyche - the battle - the tug and pull of perspective and proportion - and the surrender, eventually finding the sweet spot of allowing the artwork to just happen. It's an incredible dance between the artist, the image and the audience viewing, sometimes helping with advice, to get the artwork to be the best that it can be.
At 3:00 pm Sunday afternoon, I packed up my stuff, said goodnight to the spirit of ArtSlplash and limped to my car with a smile on my chalked-up face, a joy in my big heart. I could already hear next year calling me. With each step I released my image, knowing that everything was to be washed off the pavement by early morning light. Just in time for the cars to roll down Carlsbad's beautiful Armada Drive. It gave me a strange sense of release, perhaps only an artist can relate to....
Yup, I'll be back. To do it all over again. I wonder what image I will conjure up for next year's event.:)
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