Definition

Noun: A person who creates drawings or art directly on a paved public surface, such as a sidewalk, using colored chalks or pastels. This activity is typically performed with the hope that people passing by will appreciate the art and offer monetary donations.

Examples of Usage

• The pavement artist created a stunning 3D illusion of a deep canyon on the flat sidewalk.
• Tourists often stop to watch the talented pavement artist at work near the city square.
• She dropped a coin into the hat placed next to the pavement artist's beautiful chalk portrait.

Advanced Usage

• The term can sometimes be used more broadly to describe any artist who uses the street as their canvas, though it specifically implies the use of dry, temporary media like chalk.
• Historically, pavement artists were a common sight in European cities, and the practice is considered a form of street performance or busking.

Variants and Related Words

• Chalk artist: A more general term for an artist who works with chalk, which may include pavement artists but also those who work on boards or other surfaces.
• Street artist: A broader term encompassing all artists who create art in public spaces, including graffiti artists, muralists, and performers.
• Busker: A person who performs music or other entertainment in public places for voluntary donations. A pavement artist is a specific type of visual busker.

Synonyms

• Sidewalk artist
• Chalk artist (in this specific context)
• Street performer (visual)

Related Phrases

• To chalk the pavement: The action performed by a pavement artist.
  • He spends his weekends chalking the pavement outside the museum.
• Three-dimensional pavement art: A specific, popular style of illusionistic art created by pavement artists.
  • The festival featured several masters of three-dimensional pavement art.

Related Idioms

• Living on a shoestring: While not exclusive to pavement artists, this idiom describes a situation of having very little money, which is often the circumstance of someone relying on street donations.
  • As a struggling pavement artist, he was used to living on a shoestring.

Noun

1. someone who draws on the pavement with colored chalks (hoping that passers-by will give them money)