I missed seeing Chalk the Block live in action last year, so put it on my calendar this year, to make sure I caught the artists in progress creating their art on the sidewalks of downtown Pacific Grove for the 4th Annual Chalk the Block hosted by Art Abilities. What is Chalk the Block? It’s an event anyone can register for, with kids and adults taking a section of sidewalk and making it into their own work of art. From professional artists, to young kids, a wide range of creativity was on display. For passersby, you could pick up a piece of chalk and add your own little contribution as well!
The Artists with their Chalk Artwork in Downtown Pacific Grove
I asked all these artists if I could make a photo of them either posing with their finished artwork, or get a photo of them working on their in-progress piece. All the artists I asked said yes, thank you!
With a Little Help from a Step Stool!
How did I make these photos of the Chalk the Block artwork? I used a very wide angle lens, and brought a small step stool with me to get as high up as possible holding my camera over my head, to get a top down view of the whole chalk artwork.
Featured Chalk the Block Artwork hosted by Art Abilities
All these featured artwork photos were made with the above step stool technique, flipping the viewfinder of my camera out, and holding the camera out, and over my head. Some of these were 3+ feet long so the wide angle lens also helped to capture them edge to edge.
Always Looking for that Elusive Red Octopus
Some may know about my long term hope of finding a red octopus in a tide pool at Asilomar Beach. So anytime I see a red octopus anywhere, it makes me think of that! At Chalk the Block there were no less than 3 red octopi including the very first artwork I came across that featured a sprawling red octopus (top photo). Maybe some day I will see one for real!
Chalk the Block was another great community event in downtown Pacific Grove, and I was glad to photograph the creativity, artists, and local color that made the day memorable. If you are planning a local event, I am available for professional event photography in Pacific Grove and throughout the Monterey Peninsula.