“So yeah, street painting - that’s that cool art I have seen on the internet. You know where it looks like you might fall in, its been around the web for a few years.”
Well, not quite. It has actually been around since approximately the 16th century in Italy. At the time most of the subject matter was religious in nature. Paintings of the Madonna were very popular, hence the term Madonnari. These artists would travel from town to town, painting for coins to make a meager living. There are accounts of this art form throughout europe and even India.
As all things do, and like the art itself, this art form faded away for awhile. Somewhere along the road it resurfaced or maybe the interest was simply ignited again. Perhaps the art itself changed, became larger or a higher quality. Maybe the subject matter broadened. Broadening the interest of the spectator and allowing tales to again be recounted.
Whatever the reasons, interest did grow. Eventually, the artform was recognized as an important part of history that needed to be preserved. As modern day came and with the importance of preservation in todays society, measures were taken. Festivals began, competitions created, masters were recognized. The artform had again been reignited. It spread across the world and into the United States. New masters were born, a new kind of geometry was invented and along with it the birth of anamorphic (3D) art. And now, thanks to internet, the entire world knows about street painting and chalk artists.