Big Announcements!, Chalk Champ Information, Chalk Talk, Chicago Events, Family Entertainment, General, Keynotes and Seminars, PUBLIC EVENTS, Schools, Thoughts From The Champ, Uncategorized

Finished – sort of…?

June 11, 2019February 18, 2020 shaunhays

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 “accidentally serious” about chalking, including several youth speakers who have used chalk talks or “chalk rock” 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!)

Chalk Champ Information, Chalk Talk, Chicago Events, Family Entertainment, General, Keynotes and Seminars

How to hire the Chalk Champ for your event!

October 6, 2016August 22, 2017 shaunhays

Hey everybody! Shaun Here… I do many events every month from my popular outdoor and indoor 3D Chalk Illusions to Speed chalking and #chalking4charity (a favorite for fundraisers). You may want to get on my calendar before your date is taken by someone else, but are unsure where to begin.

send an email to shaunhays (AT) rocketmail.com with the Subject “Chalk Booking” – I usually respond within 24 hrs.
Call direct if you prefer – 1(three One Two) 233-2620 and leave a message if you do not reach me.
When we discuss your needs I’ll able to give you an immediate price, or at least a price range and tell you if I need to know more.
I will send you a contract for services which requires a deposit to hold the event on my calendar, as well as your first invoice.
You can pay any way that suits your needs including major Credit Cards, but be aware that the deposit will be processed for your event to go “Firm”.
Final Payment is due upon arrival at your event – *typically no work is performed until I receive your last payment. *Please discuss this with Shaun.

Chalk Talk, Family Entertainment, General, Uncategorized

Art Lessons Big and Small

July 28, 2016August 22, 2017 shaunhays

Recently several people approached me with a strange request to participate in a comic or graphic Novel and one person simply said “Shaun, do that comic!” I suppose they perceived there was a desire there or lost project in my brain somewhere or something… idk? Anyway, in looking through some old file backup I found this image… In building the new structure of all I’m doing now, and travelling everywhere doing live art, I had completely forgotten about this idea.

The last few years have taken so many twists that when I see the old image below I just shake my head with bewilderment!

Shaun Hays, Chalk Champ, Artist, Author of "How To Be An Art Ninja" releases Series of Books and Instruction Videos. — Shaun Hays, Chalk Champ, Artist, Author of “How To Be An Art Ninja” releases Series of Books and Instruction Videos.

*When I saved this old image, I was getting ready for “Phase1 pre-Order” to enable the creation and release of a new art lesson series to supplement my income of speaking and speed chalk art. The Lesson here: I simply wasn’t ready to commit to the full concept. Mostly out of desire to do it right the first time.

3D Chalk was helping but not yet in full swing year round. At that time, I had released a small motivational book about creating fire in your heart and stoking that fire into a life changing movement… I didn’t understand marketing and book publishing, so I self-published a couple hundred and only sold that many. I didn’t have the right connections and frankly my heart felt motivation didn’t meet up with my lack of aggressive discipline. Another worthy lesson learned.

To switch things up from Chalks and Motivational Talks, the “Art Ninja” series was to be part Comic Book and part instructional with photos and other illustrations, accompanied by a DVD or CD ROM for each book. (I always intended on drawing a better ninja but I was only in the brainstorming phase, and this was from a very quick, and loose drawing with a felt tip marker on very “bleed prone” pulp paper. #geterdun )

LOTS of great things happened soon after which took my attention away from ever moving forward on the project. I was going to include all my strengths in illustration, including chalk, pastels etc but it was going to be just a general idea of great shortcuts and building blocks for anyone wanting to be a better artist. The funny thing is, I always felt I had NO IDEA how to teach simple concepts… I felt and still feel like you should have some truly basic skills before coming to me for any instruction, or its just wasting our time because ANYONE can teach you the basics. Well, that’s simply NOT true. About 20 years ago, I taught several basics to my nephews in a booklet I made for them as a Christmas present. I also included some advanced techniques so they could advance quickly if they wanted.

Turns out, one of them did. He was only 4 at the time and is now selling artwork around the globe. He’s trained himself in a style of artwork I find incredible and done almost everything, since that first booklet, on his own! Check him out here: Shaun’s Nephew (truly a Ninja of art)

My other nephew’s and neices are all Super Cool and Ninja’s in their own categories, but that’s for another post!

Perhaps if enough interest is shown, I will get back on this “Art Ninja” project, but I cannot add it in right away. If I do, the graphics and all will be redone and the books will be full color glossy pages and each include video instructional worthy of a network broadcast. I look back and think “I want to be proud of this if it is still in circulation 40 years from now.” I have thought of doing a Crowd Funding Page, but until I have time to assess the expenses involved, I simply cannot justify setting it up.

I am interested in your thoughts – would you like to become an Art Ninja? Do you think Art is important? Would you recommend it or buy it for someone? Please comment on my FaceBook Fan Page – I’m going to post this article there too.

Thank you for reading and commenting! – Shaun

Champ Sticks tm is Premium Street Art Chalk from the Chicago Chalk Champ

Chalk Talk, Uncategorized

The Word “Chalk”

July 22, 2016July 22, 2016 shaunhays

I am known for chalk art all over the world and i have my own brand of chalk called ChampSticks(tm) Professional Grade Artists Chalk which many festivals are currently using or promoting for Street and sidewalk Chalk Art Competitions. Naturally, I am always thinking chalk: Chalk art, Chalk Manufacturing, Chalk uses and Chalk Competitions… I am not always thinking of various meanings and other uses for the stuff. Today, after a heavy schedule of travel and events; I was researching other uses and production methods for chalk and came across several links which were refreshingly off topic for me. I enjoyed reading the following definitions and other uses of the word. Perhaps you will too. IF not and this is just boring dribble to you, thank you for just being a human… I send you a hug.

The following was taken directly from http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/chalk

chalk

Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
Related to chalk: chalk out

by a long chalk

By a wide margin, as of time, distance, ability, etc. Often used in the negative to indicate not at all or by no means.Primarily heard in UK. He won that match by a long chalk. I’m not done yet, not by a long chalk!

not by a long chalk

Not at all; not by great or any means. Primarily heard in UK. I’m not beaten yet, not by a long chalk!

chalk off

1. In sports, to disallow a goal due to a technical rule of the game. Primarily heard in UK. Their last-minute goal wouldhave won the match, but it was chalked off due to an offsides ruling by the referee.

2. To record, mark, or make note of something, especially as having been completed. I always find it bittersweet tochalk off another birthday each year.

3. To delineate the border of something with chalk. You always see the police chalk off bodies of murder victims inmovies. I wonder if they do that in real life.

chalk (something or someone) off

To presume, dismiss, or disregard someone or something as being a certain way. I really liked his earlier music, butI’ve chalked him off as a total sellout in recent years. Most people chalked the film off as yet another brainless horrormovie.

chalk (something) up to experience

To regard a bad situation, action, or outcome as a learning experience rather than dwelling on its negative impact. Iknow you’re upset about failing your exam, but just chalk it up to experience and try harder next time!

chalk it up

To link something that has happened to a particular reason or circumstance. Don’t get too down on yourselves afterthis loss, boys. Let’s just chalk it up to inexperience and move on. Sure, getting a B in Algebra is disappointing, butI’m just going to chalk it up to the fact that I’m usually terrible at math!

See also: chalk, up

chalk something out

1. Lit. to draw a picture of something in chalk, especially to illustrate a plan of some type. The coach chalked the playout so the players could understand what they were to do. Our team captain chalked out the play.

2. Fig. to explain something carefully to someone, as if one were talking about a chalk drawing. She chalked out thedetails of the plan over the phone.

chalk something up

1. Lit. to write something on a chalkboard. Let me chalk this formula up so you all can see it. I’ll chalk up the formula.

2. Fig. to add a mark or point to one’s score. See also chalk something up (against someone).) Chalk another goal forSarah. Chalk up another basket for the other side.

See also: chalk, up

chalk something up

(against someone) Fig. to blame someone for something; to register something against someone. I will have to chalkanother fault up against Fred. She chalked up a mark against Dave.

See also: chalk, up

chalk something up (to something)

Fig. to recognize something as the cause of something else. We chalked her bad behavior up to her recent illness. Ihad to chalk up the loss to inexperience.

See also: chalk, up

not by a long shot

Fig. not by a great amount; not at all. Did I win the race? Not by a long shot. Not by a long shot did she complete theassignment.

chalk up something

also chalk something up

to record something special Many banks chalked up large profits from their loans to internet companies.

Etymology: based on the idea of keeping a record on a chalk board

See also: chalk, up

chalk something up to something else

also chalk something up to something else

to say that something is caused by something else She doesn’t even bother to say thank you, but I just chalk it up tobad manners and try not to let it bother me.

See also: chalk, up

not by a long shot

not at all “Do you think it’s as good as her last movie?” “ No, not by a long shot.”

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form not do something by a long shot: We haven’t eliminated the diseaseby a long shot.

be (like) chalk and cheese

(British & Australian) also be as different as chalk and cheese (British &Australian)

if two people are like chalk and cheese, they are completely different from each other I don’t have anything in commonwith my brother. We’re like chalk and cheese.

See put down to experience

put something down to experience

(British, American & Australian) also chalk something up toexperience (American & Australian)

to decide that instead of being upset about something bad that you have done or that has happened, you will learnfrom it ‘I’m so ashamed. I let him take advantage of me.’ ‘Don’t be so hard on yourself. Just put it down to experience.’

not by a long shot

(informal) also not by a long chalk (old-fashioned)

something that you say when you think something is not at all true ‘Do you think it’s as good as her last movie?’ ‘No,not by a long shot.’ It’s not over yet, not by a long chalk, we still have a very good chance of winning.

chalk up

1. Score or earn, as in She chalked up enough points to be seeded first in the tournament. This term alludes torecording accounts (and later, scores) in chalk on a slate. [c. 1700]

2. Credit or ascribe, as They chalked their success up to experience. [First half of 1900s]

See also: chalk, up

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

chalk up

1. To earn or score something: The baseball team chalked up four runs in the last inning.

2. To credit or ascribe something: Let’s just chalk the mistakes up to experience and try to do better on the nextproject.

See also: chalk, up

chalk and cheese

Two objects that although appearing to be similar are in fact different. Just as certain varieties of crumbly white cheesemight at first glance resemble chalk, so for example, siblings who resemble each other might have completely differentpersonalities. They would be said to be as different as chalk and cheese.

Call For Artists

May 9, 2016 shaunhays

Are you an artist looking for exposure or ready to enter your art for prizes? I will update this segment a couple times a year with some events I’m working with and believe in. This will not be an exhaustive list of all the events I’m participating in… that would be nearly impossible. Check this out:

Art and Music – NW Indiana in September Hurry for early entry fees!

More to come

Big Announcements!, Chalk Talk

CHAMP STICKS – Artist Chalk

July 17, 2015June 21, 2016 shaunhays

For buying CLICK HERE (coming soon)

Before becoming known as the “Champ” and a 3D Chalk Art Master, Shaun Hays was simply an artist with a desire to express his struggles and hopes through unique images made quickly and with great energy. Shaun did this for years in any creative medium he could get his hands on. Then Shaun found his particular love…Champsticks ™ Professional Grade Chalk! He soon found that this chalk was a super fast medium that allowed him to illustrate with the bold color of spray paint and the amazing speed of a sketch artist. He could mimic the bold graphic styles of street artistry as well as the great masters of impressionism etc. …and he could do it all in very reasonable time frames, which made it perfect for live events.

ABOUT

Champsticks ™ Professional Grade Chalk is perfect for sidewalk advertising, art festivals, and works on a multitude of surfaces.

Shaun Hays – “For 15 years I have used chalk in a professional capacity for: performances of speed painting to large crowds, commissioned portraits, slick presentations, sidewalk advertising, chalk board artistry, wall art, hair dyeing and of course 3D Chalk Art Illusions around the US and around the world. I have used various chalks and soft/hardened pastels, oil based and liquid forms on nearly every surface imaginable…and a few you wouldn’t believe! I have used them in the frozen tundra to the desserts of the middle East/ North Africa – I have learned a few things.

Many years ago, I began gaining a reputation as the Chicago Chalk Champ while creating freehand 3D chalkart Illusions on Chicago’s premier Lakefront Properties and sites all over Northern Illinois. Soon, I was hired to create masterpieces at various locations worldwide. I needed chalk that could handle any surface or extreme situation and give me the boldest colors anywhere. I needed ONE CHALK for smooth blending, bold colors, superb layering and remarkable results on any surface:

It is with this experience behind me I am proud to introduce the world to Champsticks ™ Professional Grade Chalk!

I will be updating this page with more product info, featured events and art pieces, Testimonials and special offers. Stay posted…more exciting news to come!

Shaun Hays - Chicago Chalk Champ - Chicago Festival - Melrose Park, IL - August 8, 2015

Big Announcements!, Chalk Talk, Chicago Events, Family Entertainment, PUBLIC EVENTS

FIRST ANNUAL CHICAGO CHALK CHAMP SPONSORED CHALK FEST and… YOU!!!

July 8, 2015August 7, 2015 shaunhays

Pleased to announce: Winston Plaza and the Chicago Chalk Champ are teaming up August 8th for FREE PUBLIC CHALK ART FEST!!!

THIS EVENT IS THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 – this is a final notice!!!

Not only is admission free, but we have gone crazy and made it TOTALLY FREE to enter the contest!!!

Professional ARTISTS are wanted, as well as anyone 7 years and up who simply want to create LOTS of color!!!

$3,000+ in prizes!!

Everyone is welcome to witness up to 50 artists CHALK away at their MASTERPIECES… there will be music, family entertainment, shopping, food and so much more! DO NOT MISS OUT!!!

$3,000+ in prizes!!

Youth Categories: Prizes will be awarded to the winners of EACH youth category: ages 7-11, ages 12-14, ages 15-18: First Place: $200; Second Place: $150; Third Place: $100

Adult Category (18+)  First Place $500  Second Place: $350  Third Place: $200

People’s Choice Awards; selected by text vote of event attendees $150 for each age category: ages 7-11; ages 12-14; ages 15-18; age 18+ adults

Best use of Merchant or Shopping Center logo in design;  One $150 prize for all age categories

COMPLETE YOUR FREE ENTRY FORM

AWARDS CEREMONY AT EVENT: First Place Winners receive a WINSTIN PLAZA / CHICAGO CHALK CHAMP trophy, media coverage opportunities, Certificate, plus prize(s) listed above!!

Shaun Hays – Chicago Chalk Champ – will be conducting a series of chalk art seminars ($600 value!!) that are free for any artists who sign up before the event. The seminars will be held on location in Winstin Plaza on two Wednesdays… July 29th and August 5th 2015 at 6-8pm. SPACE IS LIMITED TO 50 ARTISTS – FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED!

COMPLETE YOUR FREE ENTRY FORM

Shaun Hays, Chicago Chalk Champ, will be on location creating a huge 3D masterpiece you will NOT want to miss as well as judging artists entries with a team and awarding prizes too!!

Shaun Hays, Chicago Chalk Champ demonstrates the illusion he created with chalk on a flat surface. — Shaun Hays stops for a picture mid way thru a work He says shows the amount of knowledge and study required to be great: “it certainly doesn’t all come from books, but listening and gaining from others experience will always lift you higher”, says Shaun

Shaun hays, Chicago Chalk Champ - Sharing Art and Love with the World! — Shaun hays, Chicago Chalk Champ – Sharing Art and Love with the World!

Chicago Chalk Champ Sponsored Event at Winston Plaza, Melrose Park, IL

Chalk Talk, Family Entertainment, PUBLIC EVENTS, Uncategorized

Art Of Shaun Hays, Chicago Chalk Champ

June 19, 2015July 26, 2016 shaunhays

Shaun Hays

ShaunHays_ChalkChampion

Shaun Hays

Shaun Hays ShaunHays_ChalkChampion

Shaun Hays

Shaun Hays – Chicago Chalk Champ – Chicago Festival – Melrose Park, IL – August 8, 2015

Shaun Hays

More art by Shaun Hays – Chalk Champ – click here

Chalk Talk

The long and short of 3D chalk Art (part 1)

June 9, 2015June 17, 2015 shaunhays

In Short: you don’t know what you think you know.

This was an article in progress when it posted and announced a follow up article on June 12. Unfortunately some unexpected health issues prevented me from finishing. I had already set the post to automatically update ahead of time, so, if it confused anyone, my deepest apology. I will be returning to life soon. Meanwhile, thank you for your patience.
All those people that look like they are avoiding the hole in the ground created by a chalk artist aren’t really scared of falling… They are acting. I know, because I have created these all over the USA and the world.

The term 3D chalk art or sidewalk chalk is often thrown around for any art displayed on the ground with any level of technique used to create the illusion of depth. Some are cool, some look pretty real… And some are completely awe-inspiring. Often labeled incorrectly as chalk, many are tempera paintings and some are completely phony.

Let me explain the “phony”: I do not mean they aren’t awesome looking or talentless… Simply put: the photo is not taken directly of a chalk artists real work in its real environment, or it’s not chalk at all.

I use an artists grade chalk you cannot buy in any store at this point. I also use soft and hard pastels, sidewalk chalk, and yes, chalkboard chalk. If I must overcome some strange surface in a public street (drawing over a manhole cover etc) I will implement the use of tempera paint or other technique before using chalk.

People see it on the internet and have no real way of knowing who the artist is or how it was done. Let me point to some of my favorite mis conceptions online: (the sticker, the photoshop, the acting, the angles, the paint/chalk.)