I usually don’t make announcement before an event finalizes the details, but I think you should be notified about this one asap: I am working out details with Adler Planetarium on Chicago’s Lakefront for some amazing Chalk Art Masterpieces!
MONDAY, August 21st will be a very rare Solar Eclipse for us in the U.S. Midwest. We are celebrating with a huge party – so skip work and come on out to enjoy some great music and entertainment that includes the Chicago Chalk Champ, Shaun Hays! I’ll be working on live art throughout the day but Noon will be a great time to get pics of the art.
Navy Pier and Shedd Aquarium Join Forces with Chicago Chalk Champ, Shaun Hays, to celebrate World Oceans Day (June 8th) with a pop-up style Chalk Art Fest in Polk Brothers Park. Patrons tried their hand at sidewalk chalk for free and added their art to the chalk board kiosk when they committed to #sheddthestraw in 2017!
Did you know that single-use plastic straws are a bigger ocean pollutant than disposable water bottles?? I had no idea. I think it is good to take care of our home, so I am pledging to #sheddthestraw, and on April 8th I continued my support of Shedd Aquarium’s efforts by chalking in Polk Brothers Park in front of Navy Pier, Chicago to help Shedd Aquarium spread the word. (Edit: June 8th at Navy Pier – Again!!)
Thank you to all who came out to help us chalk up the Polk Brothers Park with sea life and love! Kathleen Roling joined #chicagochalkchamp, to render some magnificent animals affected by the plastics in our oceans. I had done this twice already this year: once here at Polk Brothers PArk and a second time between the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum on Earth Day.
Visitors to each location participated in the chalk artwork and brought their own creativity to help us #sheddthestraw on #earthday (and now, #WorldOceansDay ) with some #chicagopublicart featuring the #chicagochalkchamp. “
A few pictures from our Pop-Up Chalk Festivals on the Lakefront:
WorldOceansDay with Chicago Chalk Champs
Chicago Chalk Champ – Shaun Hays leads a pop-up Chalk Art Fest on the Lakefront – Shedd Aquarium Promo for Earth Day 2017
Chicago Chalk Champ – Shaun Hays leads a pop-up Chalk Art Fest on the Lakefront – Shedd Aquarium Promo for Earth Day 2017
Chicago Chalk Champ – Shaun Hays on the Lakefront @ Navy Pier – Shedd Aquarium Promo for Earth Day 2017
Chicago Chalk Champ – Shaun Hays on the Lakefront @ Navy Pier – Shedd Aquarium Promo for Earth Day 2017
Chicago Chalk Champ – Shaun Hays on the Lakefront @ Navy Pier – Shedd Aquarium Promo for Earth Day 2017
Chicago Chalk Champ – Shaun Hays on the Lakefront @ Navy Pier – Shedd Aquarium Promo for Earth Day 2017
Chicago Chalk Champ – Shaun Hays leads a pop-up Chalk Art Fest on the Lakefront – Shedd Aquarium Promo for Earth Day 2017
Chicago Chalk Champ – Shaun Hays on the Lakefront @ Navy Pier – Shedd Aquarium Promo for Earth Day 2017
Chicago Chalk Champ – Shaun Hays leads a pop-up Chalk Art Fest on the Lakefront – Shedd Aquarium Promo for Earth Day 2017
Chicago Chalk Champ – Shaun Hays leads a pop-up Chalk Art Fest on the Lakefront – Shedd Aquarium Promo for Earth Day 2017
Chicago Chalk Champ – Shaun Hays leads a pop-up Chalk Art Fest on the Lakefront – Shedd Aquarium Promo for Earth Day 2017
Shaun Hays, Chicago Chalk Champ, begins the Fish Fountain 3D Artwork on Navy Pier
Chicago Chalk Champ – Shaun Hays leads a pop-up Chalk Art Fest on the Lakefront – Shedd Aquarium Promo for Earth Day 2017
Chicago Chalk Champ – Shaun Hays on the Lakefront @ Navy Pier – Shedd Aquarium Promo Chalk Kiosk for Earth Day 2017
Chicago Chalk Champ – Shaun Hays leads a pop-up Chalk Art Fest on the Lakefront – Shedd Aquarium Promo for Earth Day 2017
Chicago Chalk Champ, Shaun Hays will be chalking amazing sea life pictures for Shedd Aquarium’s Earth Day Promotions: April 8, 2017 at Navy Pier and April 22nd between Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium.
I collect shells and rocks…always have. My favorite is the Nautilus Shell which I have painted and drawn many times in my public and commissioned works.
Shaun Hays, Chicago Chalk Champ – “Peace in the Midst of Chaos” this was an early practice piece that was given to a good friend. The original concept came from seeing another artists Painting in my travels, but, I have no idea where I saw it, so i cannot give credit. I think I rendered it close to the original.
I’ve always enjoyed being physically by the water, and, close to earth…it just feels right to me. My fantasy life would be to live as a stingray. To live, either gliding through the water like I’m flying, or to cover myself in the sand and silt for a nice meditative nap (and of course wait for my next meal haha). Beyond that, I have always enjoyed looking at underwater sea life and its beauty, so in 2009 when i set out to become the premier chalk artist on the shore of Chicago’s gorgeous Lakefront, there was one place I intended to ultimately work with… you guessed it: the John G. Shedd Aquarium. And believe you me: it’s been quite a journey.
At first, I did the obvious – email and call to introduce myself and hopefully catch a lucky break. I guess I had hoped the idea of chalk art at Shedd would be enough for someone to just say: “WOW, Shaun! No one has ever thought of that before!! You’re hired!” hahaha well, obviously everyone thinks of these ideas and (surprise!) I’m not as industrious, and unique, as I thought. Next: I attended Shedd events and at times just wandered in and handed a card to someone, but, then, I got a bit more determined and began to ask questions about who books events at Shedd and what kind of events are held there. In 2013, after some trial and error, I had a face to face with a wonderful lady who promised to keep my card and consider me for future events. The fact is, I wasn’t too confident leaving there that day, that she would. I kept hope, but i know even if intentions are good, it sometimes just gets lost in the busyness. After all, everyone wants their idea to be the one that makes the cut… and in a city this big, it’s tough to get your shot.
Meanwhile I’ve had several pieces featured at the Museum Of Science and Industry, Navy Pier, John Hancock Place, North Beach, Parades and Races, Lollapalooza (unofficially – long story) up and down Michigan Ave and State Street, Millennium and Grant Park, Major Hotels etc… and become somewhat of a regular at McCormick Place Events and Expos. That’s not to mention the hundreds and hundreds of events all over Chicagoland, the US and International events.
But, Alas, no invitation to my beloved Shedd Aquarium. I began to feel like the creepy guy with a secret crush and too many awkward attempts at conversation.
I don’t know if that meeting and my card was the catalyst or not, but something has finally broken the ice.
In early 2017, the day came that John G. Shedd was actually looking for a chalk artist! YAYA! I wasn’t going to let this one slip by. I told them in no uncertain terms “I want this job”. I repeated that in my emails (which there have been too many to count).
I hope to make an announcement very soon regarding this. Until then, enjoy this picture(s) of (a) Jellyfish I took while at Shedd a couple years back, which I will soon render in chalk for one randomly selected, super lucky fan who likes and comments on any page this is shared on. Who knows… I may choose more than one??? Lets make 2017 amazing!
I will post the finished chalk art as an update to this post
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.
Shaun Hays – Motivational Speaker and Chicago Chalk Champ is actively looking for 26 schools (k-12) who are looking for a truly inspiring, experienced speaker to add an exciting, creative and artistic element to their students experience. Call today! Shauns calendar is booking up fast!
Shaun Hays, Chicago Chalk Champ, has a lifetime of experience with mentoring youth and over 15 years experience with successful, professional student assemblies Nation-wide! His amazing story and skills at chalk artwork has taken him around the globe.
Chicago area schools and Libraries can inquire about an additional 3D chalk demonstration for indoor facilities or public display outdoors.
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.
*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.
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