Walk through a park on a sunny day, and you might find chalk drawings by neighborhood kids.

Hearts! Smiley faces! Super cute!

Walk through Washington Square Park in New York City on a sunny day, and you might find chalk masterpieces being drawn by a local artist.

With a much higher quality chalk than the kiddies had, this artist hunched over the sidewalk of Washington Square Park on a Sunday afternoon and spent hours drawing vivid portraits.

David Bowie

Freddy Mercury and John Lennon

Red Skeleton?

When I walked by, he was working on Biggie Smalls.

He had a “hat” out accepting donations that simply mentioned that chalk is expensive and he needs to keep buying more so he can keep creating art. I put a dollar in- something you really should always do if you take a photo of a street artist’s work or performance. There was no Instagram handle, no indication of who he was. I tried to strike up a conversation, but he seemed very shy. So I simply appreciated the work he was sharing with any and all who happened to pass by.

Street art is always temporary – even beloved, iconic pieces can disappear over night – but chalk art is really the most temporary of all. This guy put so much into every little detail of his drawing, knowing the first drops of a rain shower, or even a spill of his water bottle would wash it all away. That’s part of it’s beauty, it makes you live in the present!