Rich, Easy, Beautiful Sidewalk Art Supplies

by Julia Parker, from the April 2007 Newsletter

When was the last time you laid down on warm concrete? Were you young enough that your mother got upset that you snagged your Speedo? April may not be the warmest month here in Moscow but on a sunny day I bet those sidewalks radiate wonderful heat. OK, so it’s not a yoga mat or a sleep-number-bed but you should give it a try. And, while you are stretched out on the sidewalk with your favorite kids, grab some homemade art materials and vent your pent up artistic talents for all the neighbors to see.

While you’re waiting for that sunny spring moment, get in the kitchen with your young one and make some sidewalk art supplies – sidewalk chalk and my new favorite, sidewalk paint. Here’s how to make basic sidewalk chalk and paint. Both will wash off the sidewalk with the spring rains.

Sidewalk Chalk
1 cup plaster-of-paris (a.k.a. art plaster)
3/4 cup water
3 or more tablespoons of tempera paint powder

Store-bought sidewalk chalk comes in such pale pastel colors that it is hard to see much difference when displayed on the sidewalk. So, we made chalk with lots of tempera paint powder so the chalk would have a richer color than the store-bought version. Both tempera powder and plaster-of-paris or art plaster come in rather large containers. You will either be able to make very large quantities of chalk or share with someone else or have lots of materials left over. Buy the primary colors of tempera paint and mix your own variety. I think we’ll make a few batches for this year’s Wulfhorst-Parker family birthday extravaganza. (All six of our birthdays fall within 6 weeks between May 1 and June 15. Seven if you count the dog’s birthday on May 3.) Once you have mixed up the ingredients you will need to put the slurry into molds. We used an ice cube tray. The chalk needs to cure two days before you use it.

Sidewalk Paint
1 cup cornstarch
1 cup water
Food coloring or 1 or more tablespoons of tempera paint powder

In no time at all, you can whip up some sidewalk paint for you and your young artist. Use equal parts cornstarch and water then add as much color as you desire. Food coloring works, but the paint fades a great deal as it dries – for example, purple paint turns light blue when it dries. Also, you will need to keep a spoon handy to mix the paint once in a while because the cornstarch settles to the bottom.

Today, we had an especially warm day and our sidewalk already says “Welcome Spring” and “I love my purple Daddy.” I hope you enjoy your sidewalk art projects and send warm wishes to your Moscow neighbors, moms and dads – whatever color they may be.

Julia Parker loves spring in Moscow almost as much as she loves summer in Moscow, and looks forward to putting many miles on the family’s new double stroller in the warm weather.

Copyright: Copyright on articles and recipes are jointly held by the Moscow Food Co-op and the respective authors, except were otherwise noted.

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