Chalk Festival

This past weekend was gorgeous weather, just superlative in every way. Nice little breeze, sunny but not hot, not too humid or too dry, couldn't be better for being outside.  We checked our options and this weekend in the "things to do" pile were a Chalk Festival here on the island, a Sand Castle Competition on Siesta Key in Sarasota and and art show on St. Armand's Circle, also in Sarasota. Oh there were plenty of other options, these were just the ones we were considering. So this picture is us in front of  a chalked "graffiti" background just to kick this off.  We choose the Chalk Festival.  Mostly because we have never been to one before. 

It was incredible!  It's a four day festival and we were there on the second day so most of the work was still in progress.  But even that was amazing.  It was an opportunity to watch artists at their work. In this case, most of the easel's were the tarmac beneath our feet, but still...art is art!  And this truly was art!  Some of it was intended to be three dimensional and to that end,  there was often a specific place marked for viewers to stand for optimal viewing.  Sometimes they provided a lense to help with the illusion.

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The theme this year was Peace and Love. 
For some artists it was literal, for others, an era represented the  theme best.

Some artists were about whimsy and others hard reality.

But it was the faces that wowed me the most.  Remember this is chalk and they were working on an uneven surface.  I am truly in awe.

Still, I have a great appreciation for just plain fun.

Saw a lot of "famous" faces there. Perhaps you will recognize them too!

In truth, we had a great time !  There was an enormous attendance, wow!  Next year, we will just bike over and not worry about finding a place to park. But if you have the chance to go to a Chalk Festival, definitely go!  Tell them, the mermaid sent you.