David Johnston, AKA Chalkmaster Dave, has been doing 3D chalk art for 30 years.
The sidewalks of uptown Saint John are getting some new art for Third Shift, thanks to artist David Johnston.
Johnston goes by the moniker “Chalkmaster Dave,” and has been creating 3-D chalk art across Canada for the past 30 years.
His two pieces are inspired by the City’s new drinking water system, giving a unique perspective to the underground infrastructure.
“So this is the old pipe from 1905, those are the new ones, and so when this picture is done, you can stand on the edge or walk the pipes, take the picture, and it’ll actually look 3-D,” he said.
Check it out! “Chalkmaster Dave” is out painting on Germain Street for this weekend’s Third Shift art fest. He specializes in 3D chalk art. When this piece is finished, it’ll look a lot like the construction we’ve seen around Uptown! pic.twitter.com/2a1Nt54Gz6
— Danielle McCreadie (@danimccreadie) August 15, 2019
“All that 3-D stuff you see online, I do a lot of that kind of thing. I also do non-3-D art, paintings, this and that, but I gave myself the moniker ‘Chalkmaster’ years ago because it’s a lot cooler sounding than ‘Dave the guy who does painting stuff and chalk,” he joked.
He has made a significant name for himself and has a client list that includes brand names such as Google, Coca-Cola, The Globe and Mail, Nike and Pearl Jam.
“I’m one of the few guys who does this as a living all year round, so I’ve got the reputation. I’ve been doing it for 30 years, so people call me a lot to do these projects”
Johnston says he uses a mix of tempura paint and chalk powder, along with some water, to make sure everything sticks to the pavement.
“When people walk on it, it doesn’t track as much. It’s just a way to keep it neat and tidy. As this sticks around for about a month or so, maybe three to five weeks, it’ll fade evenly and neatly, and then eventually just power wash it off when it gets ugly,” he said.
Johnston, from Halifax, hopes his pieces will bring smiles to people’s faces this weekend.
“It’ll be kind of a fun way to blend in with the art night, make it a little fun. I’m sure everyone is getting the construction blues, so this will just lift the spirits. Art always does that,” he said.
You can find his first piece outside the City Market, or catch him outside Barbour’s General store on Friday.
