Pavement Chalk Artist : The Three-dimensional Drawings of Julian Beever

The pavement chalk artist is a master of art, perspective, creativity and performance. British artist Julian Beever is one such extraordinary master. More than just traditional flat drawings, the works Beever creates are uniquely three-dimensional anamorphic drawings. They are drawn in perspective and distorted so the subject can be viewed properly only from one particular viewpoint. For those who are standing in the right place, his chalk drawings invite them to step right into the scene or, in the case of the artist's well-known Swimming Pool in the High Street, dive right into the water. Pavement Chalk Artist includes a fabulous selection of Beever's most intriguing anamorphic drawings. Each one is accompanied by a description of the techniques he used and the challenges he overcame. These photographs record the development of his unusual skill and understanding of perspective. Readers can see how his art progresses and matures as he takes on commissioned works and a wealth of original, inventive subjects in locations worldwide. The photographs tell the story, giving readers both an understanding of the principles of this 3-D art form and the pleasure of sharing the scenes that passersby once enjoyed before these unique works disappeared forever.

Julian Beever first drew chalk scenes around the United Kingdom, then worked as an itinerant artist to perfect his skills while financing his travel to cities around Europe, the United States, Australia and beyond. Weather and police officers were the main obstacles to work around,A" he writes. His art has appeared in London and Birmingham, New York City's Times Square, Paris, Buenos Aires and elsewhere.