Denver Chalk Art Festival

It rained on Saturday, but that didn't bother most of the chalk artists in downtown Denver. They went back at it to reconstruct their "temporary" works of art.  A hazard of this type of endeavor, to be sure.  

http://www.denverchalkart.org/festival_info/index.php

 

It was fun to see the original artwork on an 8 x 12 piece of paper being transformed into a much larger piece that brought smiles, curious looks and general fun to the crowd gathered on Market Street.  From the classic portrait style that you might otherwise find in an art gallery to sublime pieces  nods to Star Trek, the Avengers and much more.

 

 I've stood in the Louvre looking at the original, but this version put a bigger smile on my face and was a lot bigger than the famous Mona Lisa!

    More than any other, we wanted to see the finished piece, after all it was Where's Waldo and they hadn't put him in when we were there.   

 

 

 This was my favorite.  I got the artist's card after she told me illustrating children's books is her dream.  She went on to tell me "words don't matter, it is the images"... careful now... if we end up working together we might have to happily disagree.

Some seemed to have simply walked away, leaving smeared squares of chalk, but many were at work in the evening bringing their previous day's work back to life.  


Others covered it up to ensure the hours and hours and hours of work were protected and the detail in this one was literally spectacular.  I wanted to talk to her, but the line was too long.  Simply artistic genius!

My party agreed this wonderful blue fox was an overall favorite. 

     I really wanted to stary to see how this would turn out.  The use  of black and white was awesome!

         

Mother Mary 

holding baby John Elway? 

    

I was disappointed to have missed seeing the Gargoyle my latest novel is based on washed out.  I'd really like to see what he looked like before the rain took him. 

     Best story of the night.  This man was recreating a picture of his grandfather during WW1, with his head coming out of the airplane he flew in the war.  A picture was found in an attic that told the story he grandfather never spoke of.  A true American hero.  The artist bragged, "His friends called him Curly. I have his curly hair!"  A huge smile crossed his face and ours too!.  Thank you for your service Curly!

Signs of SPRING!

It is cold, snowy and blowy outside.  

For the past week, this little ladybug has been hanging around the kitchen.  She caught a ride on my sleeve for about an hour before I noticed her and returned her to the windowsill.  

Suddenly it occurred to me that she might be thirsty, so I gave her a droplet of water.  She stayed next to it sipping for a long, long time.

  NOW, here is my question; WHY do I assume it is a SHE?  Because it is a Ladybug!  

BUT, there have to be HE Ladybugs too... 

Anyway, just seeing this beautiful little creature is a reminder that spring is around the corner, and maybe even as important, we might have aphids!

School Assemblies and Workshops at the beginning of the year!

Today I begin my Fall school year! I am excited to once again tell stories and inspire others to share his or her story. With a writer's notebook, a sharp pencil and the freedom to write about whatever interests them most, the writing becomes easier and more fun to do. It is human nature to want to "be known" and when a student is able to chronicle daily those things they want the world to know it becomes more of a habit to do so and not just pulling teeth for a test score.

Part of my reason for visiting schools is to encourage teachers to share personal narratives which will make a difference in a student's life. Often, we tell them what to think, but when we share a story with them that it is relevant to what they are going through, whether it be a funny story about a pet, and experience with test anxiety or a time when the bullies were looming large in every corner of the school, they are able to discern the lesson and set on a course to change what is wrong and share what is right. I hope YOU are taking time to share your stories. They make such a difference!

IF you are interested in a school visit, please see all the details about booking etc at my blog set up just for that: http://justinmatottatyourskul.blogspot.com/2011/08/school-assemblies-and-workshops-at.html

If a tree falls in the forest...

I stopped blogging a month ago today and it's like the riddle says: "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"

It is a philosophical riddle that raises questions regarding observation and knowledge of reality. BUT, in the case of my blog, I just wonder if I am blogging to hear myself type.

I do have teachers, students and friends comment about something they read on this blog from time to time, but after several years of doing this with only 34 blog followers , I think it might be time to hang up the blogging fingers. (OF COURSE, I REALLY APPRECIATE THE 34 OF YOU!)

I started blogging because of the format, short story, short ideas and sharing what I thought might be interesting tidbits, because of my job, what I usually write requires many many hours of writing an rewriting and a blog is just a spur of the moment MOMENT!

IF my blog is interesting to you and you would like to see more, please email me at justin@justinmatott.com or comment here.