I have a treat for you today, I just happened to come across Julian Beever in a book about his art (not hard to come across him in a book about him... I was at the bookstore, Hastings, which is the only one in town but that's another rant for another day). Beever is a street chalk artist and he is uber talented. He creates these masterpieces and uses optical illusion to create the final work. It's pretty much very cool.
Julian is an English Artist, he uses the technique Trompe-l'oeil in chalk. Trompe-l'oeil is a technique in which the artist creates something using realism to create an optical illusion that makes the object appear to be three dimensional. In addition, he also uses the technique of anamorphosis which is looking through a camera lens at a specific correct angle to make it look three dimensional as well. I just never realized all the amazing things you can do with a camera lens. The above work is his daughter meeting Mr. Frog. It's just so impressive what he does and using chalk.
One of the things that I love is that he interacts with the work and in turn encourages the spectator to participate in the work. It really is remarkable. I think another really interesting thing about creating art that has an optical illusion effect is that the artist really has to see the big picture. He can't just see one small part, because one small part can effect the rest of the image. IT's really quite incredible.
You know I am a sucker for anything associated with New York City and especially times square. I love the perspective that this work gives you, looking down on Times Square. That doesn't happen too often in someone's life. It really looks like you would fall a million feet with just one little slip.
His technique in creating water... Hello?? The other interesting thing is that because he uses chalk, his work is temporary. In the video that I am going to post later on in this entry, he gets worried about the rain. You have to capture the moment because you never know when it is going to be gone. I think that there is a real lesson here about seizing the moment and enjoying things while they are happening. A little word that we like to use in my profession called... Mindfulness.
He's referred to often as the Pavement Picasso and in an article by Sarah Loat for he says this about his technique: "The secret is to set up a camera on a tripod and keep it in one spot and check every mark you make. It's really just playing with perspective to make it appear different to what it really is".
There's a whimsical nature to his work that I am just in love with. His art is so accessible. He said this in the same BBC article:" My art is for anybody, it's for people who wouldn't go into an art gallery. It's art for the people... Art shouldn't be locked away in galleries and libraries and books. Art should be for everybody and not just art boffins, historians and so-called experts." He's the people's artist.
I am very grateful today that I discovered the amazing talents of Julian Beever. It makes me want to grab some chalk and go create something amazing. The reason I love learning about artists so much is that I really feel inspired and it helps me in my creative journey. Perhaps that is selfish but it is what it is. Thank you Julian!
Sources: 1. http://blowthescene.com/interviews/julian-beever-interview-a-moment-with-the-pavement-picasso.html: 2. http://www.julianbeever.net/index.html; 3. http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2006/01/27/pavement_picasso_feature.shtml; 4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Beever