30 Minutes in the Life: February 2015: Street Art

I have to confess, that I am a little envious of artists who can create beautiful images on a canvas.  I like to doodle.  I think I doodle well.  I know you can make out what I am doodling, but to take a picture in your mind or one that you are looking at it, and create something big out of it, that is a gift.  I did art at school, although I have to say pottery was my favorite part of the art class.

About 8 months ago I saw an image in a photography group and I had to ask where it had been taken.  Lake Worth Street Painting was the answer.  This weekend was the 2015 event, and I decided that we needed to go to it.  Weather permitting of course.  Friday was freezing. Saturday was overcast, but the promise of rain was only 25%.  We decided to head out around the middle of the day as we thought that may be the warmest.  And yes I know all the folk in the north are shaking their heads at me, but this African likes warm weather.

The roads were blocked off and after a short walk we arrived at the hustle and bustle of street artists, ranging from very young children up to the professionals.

It was hard to decide where to start my 30 minutes and where to end it.  There was so much incredible work.  What a riot of color and noise.  This was a fun day, of artists, and music, and restaurants and take outs and beer.

I love graffiti and so I really enjoyed seeing what folk had to offer.  This face caught my attention right off.  It was dark and brooding and intriguing.

Fun, cartoonish and full of color.

Quite often the artist would have the work she was creating on a sheet in front of her, and so where I saw that I tried to capture it as well.

Work in progress was all over the place, and it was easy to see the designs taking shape.  Perhaps we had gone a little bit early but I think we still enjoyed what was being created.

Knee pads graced knees, chalk dust graced butts.

We arrived at the food and drink area.  On a podium in the park was live music.  Take out caravans lined the streets.  Food was in all varieties. Chinese take out, Philly Cheesesteaks, Gyros, cheese stuffed corn cakes, crab cakes.  I could go on.  And of course, there was beer.  This wall resonated with me.  I have seen this done before but never with the words “Before I die… I want to…” Makes you stop and think.  I have a bucket list of things I want to do before I die.

Intensive concentration as they work to create their image.  I am sympathizing – this event goes all weekend.  To be on your knees and crouched in this position is going to be seriously painful by Sunday evening.

Of all the work, this had to have been my favorite.  I am in a real black and white mode these days and this quickly grabbed my attention.

These young guys were creating a piece of artwork in the depiction of Jesus.  They had outlined and were beginning to fill in.  I overheard a conversation a lady was having with them.  She asked them if they would like to be part of the event next year and they eagerly agreed that they would like to be a part of the 2016 event.

Another piece that spoke to my soul was the face with tears.  I loved it.  I loved the simplicity and the vulnerability I found in this image.

I am not sure how this woman can stand and work like that for the length of time she did.  I can only assume she practices that crouching position daily.  There ain’t no way my body would be able to do that. 🙂

Last image of the event.  I am always impressed by the ability to create 3D artwork.  You often see work of artist that will have you falling into a hole.  This photo truly was like that.  What creativity this woman has.

I will confess that I probably went 4 minutes over the 30 minutes.  However, this is only half of the images that I saw today.  It was a fun event, and I for sure will head on back there next year.  It was time to head home, the sky was cloudy and dark and I kept thinking I hope it does not rain on their parade.  To have all this incredible artwork washed away in one down pour would be so disheartening.

Talking rain – it certainly rained on our parade driving home.  I hope that the rain stayed west and did not go east.

“It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.”

~ Vincent van Gogh

Thank you for joining me for this month’s 30 minutes.  This is a circle blog.  Please take time to visit my friend, Olivia Gatti :: Click Click Love and see what she has for you this month.  Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have for you.

If you want to know more about 30 Minutes in the Life head over to their facebook page, or to the blog page.

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P.S.  I have a busy month ahead.  Look out for the images from Gainesville coming up in this week.  The Renaissance Festival is running and I will be heading their next weekend.  The Theme for the weekend will be the Orient.  I wanted the Warlords and the theme from Mordor, but I am traveling to Georgia that weekend and then to Nashville the following weekend.  I guess I am going to have a lot of blogging coming up.