David Zinn is a talented artist from Ann Arbor, Michigan, known for creating fun and playful chalk drawings right on the streets. His artwork often features quirky little creatures that seem to come alive by using cracks and marks on sidewalks as part of their bodies. These drawings are temporary, made with chalk and charcoal, and they disappear with the next rain — making each piece a special surprise for anyone who happens to see it.
Over the years, David’s unique style has captured the hearts of people all around the world. Whether near his home or in faraway places like Sweden or Taiwan, his charming street art brings a bit of joy and imagination to everyday spaces.
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#1 "If You See Henry On Your Way To The Ice Cream Shop, Please Give Him A High Five; He's Been Waiting For Days"
Image credits: davidzinn
David’s art stands out not just for its charm, but for how it blends with the world around it. He doesn’t bring a sketchbook or plan things in advance; instead, he lets the sidewalk guide him. “I prefer to let my locations choose me,” he said. “Because it’s always easier to draw something that wants to be there.” Cracks in the pavement, stains, or even a stray leaf can spark an entire character or scene.
#2 "Alice Has A Special Window For Proclamations Or Soliloquies Depending On Whether Anyone Is Listening"
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#3 "Nadine And The Shared Log Cabin"
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David's creatures, like Sluggo, the green monster, or Philomena, the flying pig, are regular stars in his work, but new characters are always popping up. Some are inspired by animals, while others come straight from his imagination. “Hopefully, I am making different mistakes,” David said, when asked how his style has evolved. “I’ve started to see more real animals... although I struggle a lot with their accuracy, I think that struggle has given my imaginary friends more anatomical heft.”
#4 "I Drew This In 2013, But I Repost It On Days Like This As A Cautionary Tale"
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#5 "Today Is The First Optimistic Day Of Geraldine's Scarf-Sharing Program"
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One thing that makes David’s work so special is that it’s temporary. Chalk drawings don’t last long, and he’s okay with that. In fact, he sees it as freeing. “When a piece of art has no future, all the questions of preservation, impact, commercial value, or anything else become irrelevant,” he explained. “You are free to relax and enjoy the present moment without the distractions of practicality.”
#6 "Hannah Has Brewed Up A Stew Of Last Year's Leaves To Sustain Us All Till Spring"
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#7 "Marcus Is Hoping No One Notices He Slept On His Antenna Funny"
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Even though his drawings fade away, they often leave a lasting impression. People around the world have shared stories about stumbling across his art and feeling a little brighter because of it. “If my chalk art tends to be light-hearted,” David said, “it’s for one of two reasons: I’m having a good day and want to celebrate it, or I’m having a bad day and want to change it.” Whatever the reason, his playful creatures continue to make ordinary sidewalks a little more magical.
#8 "Rodney Doesn't Have A Fireplace, But He Does Have A Windowsill, And Old Sock And High Hopes"
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#9 "Earl Traveled All The Way From Florida To Stick His Tongue Out At Winter"
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#10 "Maisie Finally Reaps The Advantages Of Being Tiny And Aerodynamic"
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#11 "Sluggo, Not Having A Head For Hats, Waits Impatiently For Someone To Invent Eyemuffs"
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#12 "Roger Is Secretly Fond Of Attention And The Loch Ness Monster's Most Embarrassing Cousin"
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#13 "Here's A Very Partial Retrospective Of Sluggo And Philomena Tearing Up Ingalls Mall Over The Years – Sometimes Literally!"
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#14 "Claude Has Discovered That His Patience Is Shorter Than Nesting Season"
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#15 "If You Invite Max To A Potluck, He'll Be Happy To Bring The Chips"
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#16 "Clarence Is Sticking Close To His Favorite Candle Until Winter Ends Or His Tail Grows Some Fur"
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#17 "Sluggo Bottles Up His Feelings, But It's Not As Bad As It Sounds"
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#18 "Sluggo Always Bonds Easily With People And Animals, But This Is A New Development"
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#19 "Ellery Checks The Compost Bins With High Hopes And Low Expectations And Is Never Disappointed"
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#20 "Nadine And The Measured Approach"
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#21 "I Can Never Be 100% Sure That Sluggo Will Make An Appearance In A Drawing… But If There’s A Grill, He’s More Likely To Turnip"
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#22 "Ursula Prides Herself On Representing The Bear Minimum"
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#23 "Nadine And The Wishing Star. Gratitude To Everyone Who Holds Light For Others To See"
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#24 "Greebix In His Invasion Pajamas"
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#25 "Sluggo Is Embarking On A New Project To Make Bunny Slippers Cool"
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#26 "Vivian Doesn't Take Off The Bunny Suit Until Every Jellybean Has Been Found And Eaten. Including The Ones That Have Rolled Under The Bed"
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#27 "Chuck Has A Predilection For Presenting Primroses To Pollinators"
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#28 "Everyone Enjoys The Impeccable Manners (And Surprising Arm Strength) Of Heavy-Hat Mcgee"
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#29 "Three Weeks Into His Managerial Position, Leonard Is Annoyed To Find That The Rocks Still Refuse To Organize Themselves By Size, Color Or Shape"
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#30 "Benny’s Tree-Climbing Days Are Behind (And Soon To Be Beneath) Him"
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#31 "Nadine And The Emerging (Im)possibility"
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#32 "Hamish Enthusiastically Approves Of This Post"
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#33 "Clyde Found A Piece Of Cold Pizza And Now His Whole Outlook On The Universe Has Changed"
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#34 "Simon Is No Prince, But He Is A Good Listener"
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#35 "Melinda Promised Herself She Wouldn’t Get Over-Excited If She Learned To Ride The Blue-Tailed Binkus, But Here We Are"
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#36 "When Flying, Sluggo Loves To Feel The Wind In His Eyes"
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#37 "Alvin And Celeste's Standoff Has Now Entered Its Twelfth Day, And Neither Can Remember What The Argument Was About"
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#38 "Randolph Is A Ghost Of Gardens Past, Here To Remind You Not To Overwater Your Begonias This Year"
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#39 "Andy Is Feeling Awkward Because His Summer Wings Haven't Come In Yet"
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#40 "Sluggo Stays Hydrated"
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#41 "Fun Summer Fact: Sluggo's Eyes Double As Flotation Devices, And He Can Breathe Through His Soul"
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#42 "Regardless Of Any Warm Breezes Or Sunny Days, Martin Waits Until The Last Day Of March To Remove His Self-Heating Hat"
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#43 "Spring Makeover Season (Drawn In April 2018)"
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#44 "Mavis Is Always On The Lookout For A Fetching Companion"
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#45 "Gordon Has Made The Unnerving Discovery That He Can Speak Beetle"
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#46 "Mavis Is Hoping To Catch Either A Wandering Horse Or A High-Bouncing Rabbit"
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#47 "Saul Thinks You Should Apologize For Calling Captain Tawnyshanks 'Cute'"
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#48 "Sylvia Is A Fierce Protector Of All Woodlands, Starting With This Rock"
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#49 "Hansel Has Felt Much More Confident Since He Started Carrying His Little Sister Mutzi In A Backpack"
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#50 "Clyde And The Prophetic Pink Splodge"
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#51 "Nadine And The Effusively Feathered Friend"
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#52 "Gordon Accesses His Lizardy Terribleness Through Pat, His Emotional Support Stuffie"
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#53 "Charles Is Once Again Caught Trying To Plan A Surprise Party For His Tail"
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#54 "Glen Always Stays Light On His Feet During Winter Boot Season"
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#55 "Every St. Patrick's Day, Sean Tries To Trick People Into Stealing His Pot Of Sliced Carrots"
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#56 "Mark Takes Pride In Being The First Little Green Thing To Pop Up In My Neighbor's Garden"
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#57 "Sluggo Says The Water's Fine, But His Eyes Are Taller Than Usual"
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#58 "Ever Since Her Cousin Came To Visit, Helen Has Had Something On Her Mind"
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#59 "In Lieu Of Eggs Or Chocolate, Anastasia Hopes You Enjoy This Aria From 'La Bunhème'"
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#60 "Before You Make Any Promises, I Should Mention That Reggie Is A Toad And I'm Pretty Sure That Crown Is A Bottle Cap"
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#61 "Nadine And The Elevated Meander"
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#62 "Sluggo Hasn’t Decided What To Draw Yet"
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