I’m sitting with Emily Lostaunau at the Santa Barbara Mission as she continues to work on her chalk art of what she’s titled the “Sunday Grays” — three stallions that she has been blessed with the opportunity to share time with.

On the left of her chalk art is Veloz, a Lusitano stallion. “He has this work ethic,” she tells me, “this stoic stoic sense of character that I’ve never seen in a horse before. He’s just such an amazing animal to be around.”

In the middle is Chupacabra. “He’s just this very sweet soul with such a sensitive way about him,” Lostaunau adds. “He’s an Andalusian champion, he’s done modeling and been in commercials.”

On the right is Chacal which Lostaunau describes as a “go anywhere do anything type of horse. He’s just such a magnificent animal.” 

You can sense they are a source of empowerment for her. They’re different stallions but together they create such a powerful emotional connection.

The irony is that as stallions they don’t pal around with one another but for this weekend they will, the Sunday Grays as the centerpiece of the 2024 I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival.

Sense of Shared Exuberance

Though the morning promise of sun clouded over and turned a bit cool there is an element of excitement at the Mission. The chalk art is out, the outlines of what promise to be some amazing art is beginning to emerge. 

Against the blackness of the asphalt the range of colors and their intensity cause the paintings to seem even more brilliant.

Towards the bottom of the Mission the smaller squares are dominated by the younger generation with two, three and four working together on their paintings: cats, dogs, animated creatures, school colors, faces, exotic scenes, nursery rhymes and more.

Further up the squares are larger, the scenes more intense. A sense of drama prevails and often are based on personal stories or experiences or well-known art. Many of these paintings are being done by professional artists or those with more developed skills. 

It is an interesting juxtaposition with the younger artists who aspire to more highly developed skill levels having the opportunity to mingle with those who perhaps a decade or a bit more were in a similar position.

Emerging Art

By mid-day the art begins to emerge. Broad outlines giving but a hint of what is to become is fleshed out.

There is a sense of what will be in a day or two … the beginning moments of a creative process that is doubly amazing given the rough canvass, hours of bending over, sitting sideways or kneeling in what cannot be described as anything but awkward at best.

There will be two days left to complete the art. Many will finish on Sunday; others will be hard pressed to be done by Monday evening. But what awaits on each of those days is the opportunity to follow each of your favorite artists or paintings and see them to completion, to stop by and talk with the artists. Their stories are amazing.

Like with Lostaunau’s “Sunday Grays,” who she is sharing with us in the center square, each of the paintings has a story behind them.

Like that of Skittle the Cat or Mr. Doggie, the power of permaculture, or about the great-horned owl who was released from wildlife care at San Marcos Preserve.

And so many more. 

Then There’s the Ambiance

To top things off there may be no more enjoyable place to spend the afternoon than at the Mission on a Sunday or Monday I Madonnari afternoon. The cool breeze, ocean views, incredibly delicious barbecue chicken, drinks and pizza, plenty of tables to sit with friends and chat, and music on the big stage.

This is my 26th Memorial Day weekend spent at the I Madonnari Festival and I can’t wait until next year.

The festival continues through Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Santa Barbara Mission, at 2201 Laguna St. Many often come early on Tuesday morning or throughout the day to enjoy the final paintings when the crowds are gone.