If you’ve ever wandered through the streets of Ann Arbor and spotted a tiny alien, a sleepy frog, or a dino celebrating a birthday, you’ve probably stumbled upon David Zinn’s chalk art. Since 1987, the Ann Arbor-based artist has been transforming ordinary sidewalks, bricks, and walls into scenes full of charm, humor, and imagination.
Zinn’s world is home to a colorful cast of characters — from an alien pressing a button that blows up a patch of asphalt, to a dandelion gently lighting a dinosaur’s birthday candle. Even a grumpy frog with “resting frogface” has found a permanent place in the hearts of passersby. His work proves that even the most overlooked corners of a city can hide a little magic.
In addition to creating these whimsical street scenes, David Zinn has also taken his creativity to print. His book The Chalk Art Handbook is a fun and practical guide for anyone wanting to try their hand at sidewalk art, offering tips on how to make temporary creations that brighten public spaces. His second book, Chance Encounters, is a delightful collection of his best moments and imaginative drawings captured over the years.
You can see more of Zinn’s latest creations on his website or follow him on Instagram, where he continues to bring smiles to people around the world — one chalk drawing at a time. For anyone who loves Ann Arbor street art, his work is a reminder that creativity can pop up in the most unexpected places.
