Michael Macaulay created this street painting called 'Raphael's Angels' for the Artisphere 2009 Arts Festival in Greenville, SC this past weekend. The angels are well known on prints, posters, and other popular merchandise, but what is not well known is the fact that these cherubs are a small portion of a larger painting by Raphael Sanzio called the Sistine Madonna.
Mike decided to add his own touch to this famous image by drawing the figures in an oval frame, giving the artwork a sense of depth. Here are some process photos of Mike's 10' x 12' street painting, which two and a half days of work, about 21 hours to complete. Chalk pastel on concrete sidewalk.
Mike sketches his street painting on the concrete using a reference photo.
Working on getting the two figures started.
Filling in color on the hand of one of the cherubs.
Close-up of the right cherub's face.
Adding color to a hand.
Mike touches up some details on the oval frame.
Thousands of people came by over the three days of the festival to congratulate Mike on his street painting, to admire the work, and to take pictures. 'Raphael's Angels' was definitely a crowd pleaser with childern and adults alike!