Stumbling upon a detailed work of art in the middle of a street or sidewalk would make anyone stop, admire its beauty, and wonder why someone would create something so magnificent in such a non-permanent manner.

Part folk art, part performance art, the fascinating genre known as Street Painting — where chalk is substituted for paint and asphalt or concrete for canvas — is being revitalized thanks to festivals like the International Street Painting Festival in Northern Italy and the Absolut Chalk Festival in California.

Sidewalk Canvas is packed with vibrant examples from author and professional artist Julie Kirk-Purcell and other leading international street painters, and includes 3-D illusions, original twists on the old masters, and works by artists famous in other media. In addition to a gallery of the best street painting from around the world, Sidewalk Canvas offers insights into how the art form is executed, where to find it, and how to create it.

This book isn't just for practicing artists. It is for art educators, commercial organizations looking to commission work for promotional purposes, and the thousands of people attending festivals worldwide who enjoy the beauty that can be found at the tip of their toes.

Author — Julie Kirk-Purcell.

Paperback. 192 pages. 9" × 7½" (23 cm × 19 cm).