Utrecht 2003.

About two years went by since my San Rafael visit. What to do with all that inspiration and information, and feeling deeply the urge to share this unusual art form with others? Well, what better way than start an Italian Streetpainting Festival in my hometown Utrecht?! Hmmm, but where to begin?

My initial online search showed that there were dozens of these socalled chalk art festivals in the US, but only less than a handful in Europe. I could find only two: one in Geldern, Germany and another one in Grazie di Curtatone, Italy.  And decided two visit them both.

In the meantime I reached out to the organizers of the San Rafael festival (Sue & Joe Carlomagno), as well as to street painter Julie Kirk via her website at the time www.streetpainting.net. They were very helpful and provided me with so much information for my festival plans. It really gave me a big boost.

At some point during our conversations Julie suggested to meet at the Grazie festival that Summer, and “why not come to Holland after to do a project together?“. And so we did.

Julie teamed up with her friend Melanie, and I teamed up with Bibi and Alba and photographer Humphrey. Together we presented a live demonstration in front of the old city hall in the center of Utrecht. It was a rendering in soft pastels of a piece by Dirck van Baburen, a Dutch Old Master, and a caravaggist.

The project was a success and I was on my way (although I did not know that t the time). The Italian Streetpainting Festival that I initially had in mind for Utrecht never happened. But a few years later the city approached me to produce another type of chalk art event for them, and after that more cities followed.

Fast forward to 2025, to this brand new website, 22 years later. And so many great and wonderful things have originated from that very first project. This website only scratches the surface really. Still, it tells a story. The story of where I came from, of what I have achieved, and where I would like to go from here. Continuing to spread beauty, bring joy, make memories. Together.