Rain is the ultimate wildcard for chalk artists. You spend hours—or even days—pouring your creativity onto the pavement, only to see dark clouds rolling in. So what happens when the weather doesn’t cooperate? Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how chalk artists handle rain and what it means for our work.
1. Cover It Up
When rain is in the forecast, the first line of defense is often covering the artwork. Most artists will have tarps, plastic sheeting, or other materials ready to protect their work. The key is getting everything in place quickly, securing it with weights or tape so it doesn’t blow away in the wind. This can feel like a race against time, but it’s the best way to preserve the piece until the rain passes.
2. Adapt, Don’t Quit
When rain damages a piece, it’s easy to feel defeated, but many chalk artists use the setback as an opportunity to adapt. You might need to change the original plan or rework part of the design once the pavement dries, but that’s part of the challenge—and the beauty—of working in this temporary medium. Sometimes, with a little perseverance and some sunshine, you can bring the artwork back to life even after the rain.
3. Embrace the Temporary Nature
Chalk art is inherently temporary. Even on a perfect, sunny day, the piece will eventually fade away. Rain just speeds up that process. While it can be frustrating to watch your work wash away, there’s also something special about embracing the fleeting nature of chalk art. It’s a reminder that the joy is in the process and the experience, rather than the permanence of the artwork.
4. Don’t Forget Your Other Options
Sometimes, despite all our best efforts, the rain wins. When it looks like that will happen no matter what, or I have a client that wants to avoid damage as much as possible, we can always leverage other materials. This might mean doing the artwork with acrylic paint on vinyl, or using tempera paint on the ground to hold up better to the elements. Tempera paint is washable, but water-resistant, making it a great option for outdoor art in unpredictable weather.
Rain or shine, chalk artists adapt and keep moving. Whether we’re covering our art, switching mediums, or rolling with the punches, the goal is always to create something beautiful—even if it doesn’t last forever.
For more photos and video of what we do to battle the rain, check out this video:
Curious how chalk artists deal with other challenges? Make sure you check out my recommended products to handle the rain and more. Plus, follow me on social media for behind-the-scenes looks and tips, and don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more stories from the world of chalk art.
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