New Blog and Web Site

Please visit our New Blog and Web Site @

www.drawingonearth.org

 

Recent chalk drawing at NEA Community Learning Center, Alameda, CA

New Web Site Launch

www.drawingonearth.org

We did it, we launched our new web site! It's the next life of our creative adventure that we hope you and the rest of the world loves being a part of. Follow our new blog, see tons of new photos, lots of info and interesting creative good things for everyone. Enjoy!

~Mark Wagner

New Web Site Just About to Launch

Looks like in a few days - to the end of teh month our new site will be up, looking good!

Stay tuned!

Photos from the Past

Guinness World Record - Largest Chalk Drawing  2008

Master street painter Phil Roberts introducing Mark Wagner
to the fine art of chalk drawing. Santa Barbara, CA 1994

Franklin Elementary School, Alameda CA

www.drawingonearth.org
NEW WEB SITE in the WORKS!

Tsunami Blessings

We send our heart and creative spirit felt blessings to the 

people, land, and ancestors of Japan and to all those who have been affected.

Courage, Strength, Surrender, Wisdom, Honor

501(c)3 - It's official!

We did it, we are officially exempt from Federal income tax. 

And we are hoping to have a soft launch of our new web site by the end of the month.

www.drawingonearth.org

www.facebook.com/pages/Drawing-on-Earth

PLEASE SIGN: Our very OWN petition - Street Painting @ MOCA

Tell MOCA Street Painting is Street Art

(please sign this  -link below)

facebook.com/petitions/1/tell-MOCA-street-painting-is-street-art

We the undersigned ask that you please consider including street painting / chalk art into the upcoming MOCA exhibit; 'Art in the Streets'.

In regards to the upcoming exhibition at MOCA entitled 'Art in the Street', which mainly focuses on graffiti style works, we feel that street painting deserves to be recognized as authentic art of the streets & included in this show. With a rich and significant history of it's own, which predates modern graffiti, street painting has evolved and developed into it's own genre, now known globally as an artistic phenomenon, which universally appeals to demographics worldwide. 

We respectfully submit, would it not also be interesting & worthwhile to consider adding a street painting component on some pavement adjacent to the museum as a valid addition to 'Art in the Street'?

Thank you, Tracy Stum, John Arron (Chalk 4 Peace), Mark Wagner (Drawing on Earth)

• target: Museum of Contemporary Art L.A. Jeffrey Deitch, Director
• sponsored by: Tracy Lee Stum, Chalk4Peace, Mark Wagner 
• signature goal: 10,000
• signatures: 154

Spring 2011 the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) will feature a "street art" exhibit call "Art in the Streets" with no Street Painting.

Sign our petition to tell MOCA we want Street Painting artists included in the exhibit.
Street Painting = Street Art!

www.drawingonearth.org

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Let's See if We Can Get into the Big Museums

Tracy Stum is spearheading a push to see if we can get street painting & chalk drawing into the LA Museum of Modern Art show coming up on Street Art, which features mostly graffiti. Many of us street painters believe this old (began in the 1500's) and recent emerging art form is and should be acknowledged by the art world.


Here is the letter I wrote to the coordinator to the show.

Pure and simple, chalk drawing festivals are the rock and roll of the art world. Very different than strolling through a gallery with paintings on the wall and sculptures tucked into corners, at a chalk festival the creative process unfolds right in front of you. The artists are not alone in their studios, they are down on their hands and knees, covered in sweat and colored chalk, kneeling, squatting on the streets for hours and days, creating breathtaking pieces of art right before your very eyes. And you can crouch down with them. They'll talk to you and tell you what they're doing. Chalk drawing is the medium of the people, generating audiences of over 60,000 people of all ages in a weekend. It’s pure energy. And the next day, it’s washed away, impermanent like Tibetan and Navajo sand paintings.

Of course, street art is an age-old tradition, (since the 1500's) which we artists pay homage to, not just by doing the work, but by emulating it. There a tradition of copying old master works, which is a great art history lesson in a culture that doesn’t have much of this in the schools. And many artists are stepping out and bringing  new skills, like 3D work, to the pavement, as well as fascinating anamorphic perspective to their work. Some street artist are taking the opportunity to communicate in ways that address current needs of the local and global community. One artist created an homage to another artist, a local hero who passed away from cancer. His work of art became an invitation for the community to write, draw, and creatively mourn her passing together. Another artist created a Patron Saint of Hoof & Mouth disease as millions of farm animals were being burned and buried in Europe. Another piece was created to bless with tears a near-by forest fire that had the locals concerned. Art work by the people, for the people.

My personal work in the street painting world started in 1994 when I was invited by master artist Phil Roberts, to help him with an 8 x 20 ft, 6 days copy of the Last Day of Judgment by Michelangelo. I was hooked. I loved the raw, real time, in your face, on your hands, live, connection to the community. There was something about doing art in the midst of a crowd that really fed me. I loved being alone in my studio, but I loved the live action of on the spot creativity. 

In 2003 chalk drawing took a turn for me. My kids had just entered public school in Northern California and I realized to my horror that there were no art teachers in any of the elementary schools. I began to create annual chalk drawing events on the kid’s playground where the kids could work on one large image together. I had a vision; give the kids a big, creative experience they will remember for the rest of their lives. In 2008 we set a Guinness World Record for the largest chalk drawing. 6,000 people (over 4,000 elementary school kids) covered 90,000 sq. ft. in two weeks and a satellite photographed our artwork. We are now the nonprofit, Drawing on Earth; we inspire art and creativity in youth and communities around the world. Our current project is a 5-year Global Illustrated Storybook.

Street painting is alive and growing. It's an art form that is catching the public’s attention and appreciation. Look what's written on the back of a t-shirt from one of the big festivals. It says ARTIST in big, bold letters. And whether you wear it or see it, it sends a message that the creative spirit is alive and well!

Mark Wagner

Founder of Drawing on Earth

www.drawingonearth.org

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Testimonial

Occasionally, you come across those venerable individuals who have the impressive combination of talent and how they choose to use it.  Mark Wagner is one of those characters.  His artistic ability is uncommon and impressive; just look at his art!  But, he also works to spark the artistic streak in others.  In fact, he set our entire school artistically ablaze when every student and staff member helped create our school mascot in larger-than-life-size and beauty.  How cool is that?  


Absorbed and engaged, my fifth graders enthusiastically participated, stepped back, and took in their part in the school-wide project.  Thank you, Mark!  It is rare when one person affects an entire school in such a positive, lasting way.  I only wish others can have this same opportunity, and get to savor the experience!

Tao Bernardi
Fifth Grade Teacher
Hearst Elementary
Pleasanton, California

www.drawingonearth.org

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