Finished – sort of…?

NaperSettlement

Artist Faire

Naperville, IL

June 26-27, 2020!

That’s right, we’re doing it again! 😃

The rest of this post was from last year and the announcement that I’d be retiring my knees. It’s been nearly 9 months and I have little to no knee pain, so, we will do a few more and see how this goes.

See you soon! – Shaun

June 22,23 2019

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone of you that made it out to help me celebrate 10 years of amazing fun in the sun and chalk art illusions!

It has been an amazing run!

(Warning: lots of talk about me… sorry)

I’ve been featured at all the places I truly wanted to chalk and so many more than I even dreamed, from Chicago (Museums, John Hancock, Navy Pier, McCormick Place, Lollapalooza, State Street, Wrigley Field, the Drake, Michigan Ave, North Beach etc etc) to NYC (west village and Soho) to all the various states and festivals around America, to international, exotic locations like Egypt and Barbados.

I’ve been featured on multiple tv shows (even internationally), many local TV interviews, and on stage in front of nearly a million people at stadiums, theaters, conferences, schools and churches over 20 years.

I have made amazing friends along the way including a minister/art teacher/ chalk artist in the Philippines who I had the great privilege to encourage at a crucial moment in his life.

I have trained many many artists over the 20 years since I first became ā€œaccidentally seriousā€ about chalking, including several youth speakers who have used chalk talks or ā€œchalk rockā€ as an addition to their portfolio, several Chalk festival champions, prophetic worship artists, and a few chalk board artists and painter/muralists too.

Probably my favorite moments were when a young artist would see me working and I’d have a moment to connect with them the way only artists can connect to each other and watch as their eyes would light up with the realization that they aren’t entirely crazy or alone and that the pursuit of art is definitely worth while… even if you don’t get paid. (But best if you can also get paid)

All of that being said, many people will find this announcement troubling or disheartening. The fact is my knees can’t handle the work anymore, my heart is longing for something else, and my Father in Heaven has signaled that is time to move ahead.

Faith and I have discussed this change for a long time (years). We are excited about the change but sad in many ways as well. There may be some opportunities that arise sometime in the not so close future, where I’ll don the kneepads again, chalk in hand, walking in slow motion down a hot asphalt street with a look of determination in my eye… but until that day: June 22 and 23rd was YOUR FINAL OPPORTUNITY to come see me creating LIVE on pavement and get your own super fun, interactive photo with my art.

Btw- Yes I’ll keep posting art online. I just won’t be doing public 3D chalk like this as my job anymore.

I want to assure you once again, you haven’t seen the last of my talent and haven’t seen the best of me either. There is always more beneath the surface than you see of my public postings.. much like the freehand illusions I have created in the last decade.

What creative tool will I wield next? (Something not using my knees so much I hope!)

4 Comments Add yours

  1. Ophir says:

    Shaun is my ping time friend. We never yet see each other in person. But our spirit is the same as chalk artist and most of all we are in the same Spirit , a divine Spirit of God as we are both serving our Lord. Ever since. I always admire Shaun’s chalk illusions his superb skill in drawing indeed encourage me a lot… Shaun also had help me financially during those times that I really in need.. Shaun had sent me some donations to our creative evangelism Ministry here in the Philippines. I pray that God will reward Shaun Hays in his new career… I speak blessing for His family as well. And his faithful service in the Lord our God.

    Red. Dr. Ophir A. Odal
    Drawing life to Jesus – creative arts ministry

    Like

  2. Laurie Cantone says:

    So happy, privileged and blessed to have met you and seen your 3D chaulk art in person. While so very sad that I can no longer introduce others to the beauty and awe of your work live, I will always be a fan and encourage them to Google your site and enjoy! Best wishes on your new journey!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. shaunhays says:

    Thank you, Laurie! It was the great people I’ve met around the world that made the journey worthwhile! So happy I took the chance and went for it!

    Like

  4. shaunhays says:

    Always your true brother from another mother!

    Like

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