Santa Barbara’s Chalk Art Festival took place over Memorial Weekend! I Madonnari is a three day chalk art extravaganza where local businesses sponsor artists to create large scale street art using chalk pastel. I have participated in this festival for about 10 years. Usually the festival takes place at the Santa Barbara Mission, where onlookers can follow the artists’ progress over the 3 days, but in order to follow local guidelines the festival took place remotely this year. I worked on my piece at my sponsor’s home and we chose a 4’ wood board for the art instead of on the ground. Via Maestra is (in my opinion) the most delicious Italian food in town and the owner and I have become good friends over the years that he has been my artistic sponsor. His only request for the image was that I did something Italian, so Da Vinci it is! This is a portrait of the angel from a larger Da Vinci work, “The Virgin of the Rocks.” Recreating a Da Vinci portrait is a challenge that I took on for myself, but I’m so proud of the finished product and I believe it’s my best portrait yet. I learn a little more each time I do this festival!
A work in progress