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This Will Make You Smile (9 Photos)
Content warning: From playful chalk creatures peeking out of cracks to giant murals filled with warmth and humor, these 9 artworks bring a smile in unexpected places. You’ll find works from city walls in Spain and France, rural landscapes in Australia, and delicate creati
From playful chalk creatures peeking out of cracks to giant murals filled with warmth and humor, these 9 artworks bring a smile in unexpected places. You’ll find works from city walls in Spain and France, rural landscapes in Australia, and delicate creations made from natural materials. Together, they show how public art and creativity can brighten any corner of the world.
More: Funny Signs! (19 Photos)
1. Where Big Breakthroughs Are Required — By David Zinn in Ann Arbor, USA
A cheerful chalk creature by David Zinn climbs through a crack in the pavement, drawn with raised paws and a surprised expression. The crumbled concrete adds to the illusion of the character breaking through. More!: Beautiful Autumn By David Zinn! (9 Photos)
🔗 Follow David Zinn on Instagram
2. Bird in the Wall — Location Unknown
A patch of missing plaster forms the body of a bird, with simple black lines drawn below to create legs. The texture of the wall gives the figure depth and character.
3. Baby Opossum — By Hannah Bullen-Ryner in UK
Natural artist Hannah Bullen-Ryner arranged feathers, flowers, and twigs into the image of a baby opossum clinging to a branch, framed by green leaves. More!: Nature Is Everything! 18 Stunning Artworks by Hannah Bullen-Ryner
🔗 Follow Hannah Bullen-Ryner on Instagram
4. Girl with Sparrow and Rat — By Antonio López Badicoloreando in Acula, Spain
A mural by Antonio López Badicoloreando shows a girl smiling gently at a sparrow perched on her hand, while a rat rests on her shoulder. The painting blends realism with soft color tones.
🔗 Follow Antonio López Badicoloreando on Instagram
5. Crashing Tennis Ball — By Jan Is De Man in Utrecht, Netherlands
Jan Is De Man created this illusion for the 100th anniversary of Zuilense Tennis Club. A bright yellow tennis ball appears to smash through a red brick wall, with fragments flying outward. More!: 8 Happy 3D Artworks by Jan Is De Man That Will Make You Smile
🔗 Follow Jan Is De Man on Instagram
6. Farm Dog — By Jimmy Dvate in Major Plains, Australia
Painted by Jimmy Dvate for Wanamara Farm, this mural transforms a silo into the portrait of a working farm dog, looking out with expressive eyes against a rural backdrop.
🔗 Follow Jimmy Dvate on Instagram
7. Wooden Post Face — Location Unknown
A weathered wooden post appears to have a face with drooping eyes and a downturned mouth. The natural cracks in the wood create an accidental expression of sadness.
8. Kermit the Frog — By JAMIE HEF in New York, USA
A mural by JAMIE HEF shows Kermit the Frog surrounded by spray cans and holding a red-and-white ball, painted on the side of a building in New York.
🔗 Follow JAMIE HEF on Instagram
9. The Wire — By SETH in Fontaine, France
SETH mural for Grenoble Street Art Fest shows two children seated on opposite buildings, speaking to each other through a red string telephone. The work connects both façades in a playful dialogue. More!: 34 Murals That Turn Walls Into Wonders: Seth’s Street Art Will Blow Your Mind
🔗 Follow SETH on Instagram
More: Made You Smile (8 Photos)
Which one is your favorite?
Funny Signs (20 Photos)
Some public signs tell you where to go or what to do. These ones? They play with expectations. From witty chalkboards and absurd flyers to poetic instructions and signs that lead nowhere, these 20 messages prove that a little humor or mystery goes a long way in urban spaces.
More: How Clever (8 Photos)
1. Take What You Need
A simple handwritten flyer reads “Love.” with an invitation: “(Take as much love as you need).” The tear-off tabs just say “LOVE.”
2. Lost My Brain
A satirical lost-and-found flyer features a red anatomical brain diagram and a caption: “Please don’t contact me, I’m happy.”
3. Bar Scene on a No Entry Sign
A creative modification of a no-entry traffic sign transforms the white bar into a bar counter. Three stick figures have been drawn onto the sign—one sitting on a bar stool holding a martini glass, chatting with two others standing beside the “counter.” This humorous intervention turns an ordinary traffic sign into a social vignette.
4. No King
5. Sleeping Bat Warning
Sign on a bookshop door says “Please open the door carefully as there is a bat sleeping on it,” with a real bat sleeping by the doorframe.About it: A Sleeping Bat at The Next Page Bookshop in Calgary Becomes an Unlikely Star
6. Showbiz Ruined Me — By Pao in Rome, Italy
A sculpture of SpongeBob looks heartbroken, sitting on the street with a cardboard sign: “Showbiz ruined me.”
7. Dog Library
A wooden sign beneath a tree offers: “Dog Library. Take a stick. Leave a stick.” The pile of branches says it all.
8. Have You Seen This Dog?
Two dog photos and the words: “Have you seen this dog?” Below: “Now you have. Have a GOOD day.” The tear-tabs? “Have a great day.”
9. Please Do Not Smile — New York City Subway, USA
Posted at 14th Street Station: “Please do not smile at strangers.” Whether real or a prank, it’s coldly hilarious.
10. Private Sign
Painted in bold white letters: “PRIVATE SIGN — DO NOT READ.” Naturally, it’s irresistible.
11. The Secret of Happiness
Painted across a long building, the message begins: “The secret of happiness is t—” and then the rest has peeled away.
12. Reboot Universe
At first glance, a standard pedestrian crossing button. But instead of “PUSH TO CROSS,” it reads: “REBOOT UNIVERSE.”
13. Beware of Smartphone Zombies
A modern caution sign warns: “BEWARE OF SMARTPHONE ZOMBIES,” with silhouettes of people walking while staring at their phones.
14. No Don Quixote
A traffic-style sign bans a rider on a horse with a lance—clearly referencing Don Quixote. Behind it: a real windmill.
15. Great Wheat Sharks — Anne Melady in Ontario, Canada
Shark fins appear to slice through a golden wheat field along Highway 8 west of Dublin, Ontario. Installed by 75-year-old landowner and retired nurse Anne Melady, the piece is titled Great Wheat Sharks. She created it to lighten the mood for drivers during the pandemic and continues the now-local tradition with humor and simplicity.More photos and about it: Please do not feed the Great Wheat Sharks
16. Is It Me You’re Looking For?
A flyer with the face of Lionel Richie and the lyrics from his hit song “Hello” is posted on a utility pole. The bottom of the flyer includes tear-off tabs, each printed with a different lyric fragment, playfully inviting passersby to take one. The setup mimics a typical “lost and found” poster but twists it into a street-level pun.
17. Kingdoms to Countries
On a pub chalkboard: “A long time ago we had Empires run by Emperors. Then we had Kingdoms run by Kings. Now we have Countries…”
18. Accompanied by an Adult
The sign boldly says: “All Americans must be accompanied by an adult.” No context. No problem.
19. Cigarette bin that doubles as a voting booth…
and a political roast all in one. People walk by, chuck in a butt, and suddenly it’s not just litter — it’s democracy with extra sass.
20. The Japanese text (ネコ飛出し注意) translates to “Watch out for jumping cats” or more literally “Caution: Cats dashing out”.
It’s a local road sign sometimes put up in Japanese neighborhoods where there are many stray or outdoor cats. The flying-cat graphics are just a playful way to show that cats might suddenly run across the street, so drivers should slow down and be careful.More: Urban Art Hacks (11 Photos)
Which one is your favorite?
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Imagination Leads To Creation (8 Photos)
Content warning: From surreal illusions on city streets to giant murals blending fantasy with everyday life, these works of street art stretch the boundaries of imagination. Featured here are a mix of hyper-detailed portraits, playful shadows, and large-scale murals that
From surreal illusions on city streets to giant murals blending fantasy with everyday life, these works of street art stretch the boundaries of imagination. Featured here are a mix of hyper-detailed portraits, playful shadows, and large-scale murals that transform buildings into dreamlike scenes across the world.
1. Ancient Pool Illusion — Joe & Max in Gloucester, UK
A 3D anamorphic street painting showing a giant hole in the pavement, revealing steps and columns leading down to a tiled pool below. Passersby can pose at the edge, as if standing above a sunken ruin. More by Joe & Max!: Amazing 3D Art By Joe and Max (8 Photos)
🔗 Follow Joe & Max on Instagram
2. Girl and Guinea Pig — Braga Last One in Calais, France
A large mural on a residential building showing a girl with oversized glasses resting her face on her hands, with a guinea pig wearing a cap below her. Brightly colored sketches surround them, framed by a trompe-l’oeil ripped wall effect. More: Absolutely Brilliant By Braga Last One (14 Photos)
🔗 Follow Braga Last One on Instagram
3. Us Together — NEAN in Thonon-les-Bains, France
A mural depicting a sunset over calm water with paddleboarders silhouetted against the orange and gold sky. Painted across an entire side of a building, it resembles a framed painting opening onto nature.
🔗 Follow NEAN on Instagram
4. Joker Tribute — Dumser1 in Lima, Peru
A photorealistic mural of Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker, painted with striking detail on a brick wall. The artist poses beside his work, emphasizing the scale and likeness of the character.
🔗 Follow Dumser1 on Instagram
5. Plastic Castles — Da2 in La Bañeza, Spain
A mural of a child playing on the beach with a toy bucket, next to piles of collected plastic waste. The piece combines realism with social commentary on ocean pollution.
🔗 Follow Da2 on Instagram
6. Plane Illusion — Jan Is De Man in Utrecht, Netherlands
A trompe-l’oeil mural of a vintage propeller plane painted into a concrete wall. The perspective makes the aircraft appear as if it is breaking through the surface. More: 8 Happy 3D Artworks by Jan Is De Man That Will Make You Smile
🔗 Follow Jan Is De Man on Instagram
7. Climbing the Bookshelf — Eduardo Kobra in Sorocaba, Brazil
A colorful mural of a child climbing a ladder up a massive bookshelf, painted across the façade of a tall building. The rainbow tones of the child contrast with the realistic detail of the books.
🔗 Follow Eduardo Kobra on Instagram
8. Witch’s Shadow
A traffic cone placed on the street is paired with painted shadow art. The shadow depicts a witch flying on a broomstick, turning a simple object into a playful illusion.
More: Absolutely amazing (10 Photos)
Which one is your favorite?
Clever Art! (10 Photos)
From a tree with googly eyes to a crumbling wall turned into a romantic moment, these artworks prove that creativity doesn’t always require a blank canvas. Across New York, Bulgaria, Seoul, and beyond, artists used cracks, plants, poles, staircases, and fences to build surprising and often funny interactions between art and reality. Scroll on for a playful, smart, and sometimes emotional collection of street art that responds to the world it’s painted into.
More: 11 Times I Found Street Art Cleverly Using Its Surroundings
1. The Snail Catcher
A hyper-realistic mural by Cheone of a young boy extends his arm through a broken wall, appearing to gently touch a real yellow-black striped pole where a snail is crawling. The integration is so precise it looks like he’s interacting with the snail mid-motion.More: 23 Amazing 3D Murals by CHEONE!
2. Floral Crown — OG Millie in New York, USA
A woman with soft, glowing skin and vivid green eyes is painted against a pastel circular background. Her painted hair seamlessly transforms into a lush explosion of real pink and purple flowers cascading from the wall.More: Flower mural by OGMillie (5 photos)
3. Googly Tree — Bulgaria
A thick tree has grown around metal railings, forming a natural mouth shape. Someone added googly eyes above it, turning the tree into a funny face peering out over the water.More: 16 Googly-Eyed Street Art Gems That I Love
4. Parkour Kid — Marek Looney Rybowski in Gdynia, Poland
A playful mural of a child in a cap and red sneakers is painted to appear as if he’s hanging from a concrete overhang, feet swinging in the air while a butterfly flutters nearby.See the entire mural!: Mural by LOONEY in Gdynia, Poland (11 photos)
5. Koi Staircase — Ihwa Mural Village in Seoul, South Korea
A flight of urban stairs becomes a vibrant pond when painted with swimming koi fish in yellow, orange, and white, gliding against a deep blue background.
6. Rising Water — Banksy in London, UK
Spray-painted text reads “I DON’T BELIEVE IN GLOBAL WARMING,” with the lower words submerged beneath real water, making the message ironic and pointed.More: “I Don’t Believe in Global Warming” by Banksy
7. Dancing Fence — Oakoak in France
A section of a metal fence has been bent to resemble a dancing couple. Two simple pink circle faces are added to enhance the illusion, giving the rusted structure a touch of romance.More by Oakoak!: From Homer Simpson to Obelix: Oakoak’s Genius Street Art! (10 Photos)
8. Skull Wall — Suitswon in Brooklyn, New York, USA
A large, abandoned concrete structure with missing windows and overgrown vegetation has been painted into a realistic skull. The empty window spaces serve as eye sockets.
9. Crumbled Love
On a damaged wall in Leipzig (Germany), a crumbling patch becomes the body of a dog, painted kissing a woman. A heart floats above them, using decay to deliver tenderness.
10. Vertical Garden Street — Valparaíso, Chile
Plastic bottles are transformed into planters and attached to a wall painted as a colorful street of buildings, turning trash into greenery on a painted urban scene.More: 9 Genius Street Artworks That Will Change How You See the City
Which one is your favorite?
Laugh Loudly (10 Photos)
Content warning: This collection brings together ten playful street interventions, from mosaic creatures in Kyiv to character-based makeovers of utility meters in Los Angeles. Each piece adds humor to sidewalks, walls, and everyday objects in cities around the world. Here
This collection brings together ten playful street interventions, from mosaic creatures in Kyiv to character-based makeovers of utility meters in Los Angeles. Each piece adds humor to sidewalks, walls, and everyday objects in cities around the world. Here’s a quick tour through the works that turn ordinary corners into moments worth smiling at.
More: Funny Fake Shadows! (20 Photos)
1. Happy Cats — K. Skretutsky in Kyiv, Ukraine
A long mosaic sculpture shaped like a blue cat stretches along the path, with large rounded eyes and a wide open mouth forming an archway. The tiled surface creates a bright and playful creature that wraps around the corner of the walkway. More about it!: Happy Cats! – In Kyiv, Ukraine
2. Nadine and the Surprisingly Effective Joke — David Zinn in Michigan, USA
A small chalk creature is drawn at the base of a rock border, using a natural rock as the character’s wide-open mouth. A tiny mouse stands beside it, enhancing the playful scene created from the landscape. More!: Happiness Maker David Zinn (8 Photos)
🔗 Follow David Zinn on Instagram
3. Googly Eyes on Street Bollards — Vanyu Krastev in Bulgaria
Round concrete bollards are transformed with simple stick-on googly eyes. One cracked bollard looks like it has an open mouth, turning the entire line into characters along the sidewalk. More!: Googly-Eyed Art (17 Photos)
🔗 Follow Vanyu Krastev on Instagram
4. Have You Seen This Dog?
A flyer shows two photos of a friendly dog with tear-off tabs reading “Have a great day.” The design mimics a missing-pet poster but instead shares a positive message with passersby.
5. Homer Shocked by an Electrical Box — Oakoak in France
A painted figure of Homer Simpson appears to grab an electrical box, with jagged lines suggesting a shock. The box and cables are incorporated into the artwork as part of the scene. More!: Lovely by Oakoak (10 Photos)
🔗 Follow Oakoak on Instagram
6. Sad Face
A wooden post at a dune path shows natural knots resembling a sad face. The structure and weathered grain form a character without added paint, created entirely by the wood’s texture.
7. Invisible Man With Flip-Flops
A pair of flip-flops sits on a small table beside a humorous sign advertising an “invisible naked man.” Coins in a container show that many pedestrians enjoyed the joke.
8. Cigarette Voting Box — Anonymous in Copenhagen, Denmark
A public ashtray poses a satirical question about selling Greenland, offering “yes” and “no” slots. The fill levels show public opinion through the number of cigarette butts.
9. Wall Character — Jan Is De Man in Utrecht, Netherlands
A cracked brick wall is turned into a smiling face with large painted eyes. A small painted crate with eyes sits below, adding an extra character to the playful composition. More!: 8 Happy 3D Artworks by Jan Is De Man That Will Make You Smile
🔗 Follow Jan Is De Man on Instagram
10. Gym Meters — Tom Bob in Los Angeles, USA
Two gas meters and surrounding pipes are painted as cartoon athletes. One lifts a barbell formed from the pipes, while the other hangs from painted gymnastics rings. More!: 33 Artworks by Creative Genius Tom Bob (That Will Make You Smile)
🔗 Follow Tom Bob on Instagram
More: Funny Signs (8 Photos)
Which one is your favorite?
Funny Fake Shadows! (20 Photos)
Damon Belanger, a graphic artist based in the San Francisco Bay Area, created a public art installation called “Fake Shadows” in Redwood City, California, USA. Funded by the Redwood City Public Art Program, this unique and playful street art project was realized in 2016.
Belanger’s “Fake Shadows” are a delightful interplay of reality and illusion. The artist added painted false shadows to common street objects, such as bike racks, benches, mailboxes, and even a manhole cover, turning them into whimsical creatures and objects. For example, a parking meter’s shadow becomes a monkey’s tail, a mailbox casts the shadow of a dragon, and a bike rack’s shadow transforms into a monkey on a tree.If you’ve had the chance to see Damon Belanger’s “Fake Shadows” in person, why not share your experience or better still, your photos in our Facebook group Your Street Art Utopia?
For more on Damon Belanger and his work, visit his website.
On your next urban adventure, remember this: street art is not only about murals on walls or graffiti tags. It’s an ever-evolving form of self-expression that can turn even a simple street fixture into a source of surprise and joy. So, keep your eyes open – the next creative twist could be just around the corner!
More: Googly-Eyed Art (17 Photos)
More: Playing with statues (25 photos)
What do you think of this type of street art?
Damon Belanger
Damon Belanger is a graphic artist living and working in the San Francisco Bay Area. Active in the local art scene for over 10 years he has explored a multitude of various themes, styles and ideas in his work.Damon Belanger
oakoak (@oakoak_street_art) • Instagram photos and videos
126K Followers, 305 Following, 862 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from oakoak (@oakoak_street_art)www.instagram.com
3 eye murals in The Netherlands by Jan Is De Man
Content warning: By JanIsDeMan in Utrecht, The Netherlands Street Artist JanIsDeMan By JanIsDeMan. More!: Jan Is De Man: Transforming Cityscapes with Playful 3D Street Art By JanIsDeMan in Utrecht, The Netherlands By JanIsDeMan in Utrecht, The Netherlands By JanIsDeMan in
Street Artist JanIsDeMan
By JanIsDeMan.
More!: Jan Is De Man: Transforming Cityscapes with Playful 3D Street Art
8 Happy 3D Artworks by Jan Is De Man That Will Make You Smile
Jan Is De Man is a Dutch street artist renowned for his playful and interactive 3D murals that transform urban spaces into whimsical masterpieces.
His artworks invite viewers to engage with their surroundings in a whole new way, often blending reality with imagination. Let’s dive into some of his most striking murals, each bringing its own story to the streets.1.
Giraffe Eating the Plants – Utrecht, Netherlands
This mural in Utrecht features a life-sized giraffe reaching out to nibble on the leaves of a nearby tree. Its realistic depiction and clever use of perspective make it appear as if the animal is interacting with the environment, adding a touch of nature to the urban setting.Jan Is De Man: This concept where the giraffe is eating the plants, is going to be better within the years… The wall next to the giraffe becomes a vertical green garden. But I was a bit impatient, so I drew a few of the plants already.
More photos: Urban Safari: Giraffe Street Art by Jan Is De Man in Utrecht
2.
Majestic Peacock – Vinkeveense Plassen, Netherlands
Jan Is De Man’s peacock mural gracefully spreads its vibrant blue feathers across the wall, creating a beautiful illusion of the bird blending seamlessly with its surroundings.More photos: Peacock by JanIsDeMan in Vinkeveense Plassen, Netherlands
3.
The Happy Face Wall – Utrecht, Netherlands
What seems like a simple wall in Utrecht has been turned into a smiling face by Jan Is De Man’s artistic touch.More: 3 eye murals in The Netherlands by Jan Is De Man
4.
Shelf of Memories – Nieuwegein, Netherlands
This mural depicts a giant shelf filled with various objects, including a teddy bear, musical instruments, and vintage artifacts. It’s a nostalgic piece that invites viewers to step closer and explore the details, sparking memories of items they may have once owned.Jan Is De Man: In this interactive project, local residents could send me their most precious object. Besides the size this also was a challenging mural for me cause I painted a lot of things that I usually would never do. As an example: I never thought I would paint a singing frog like this.
More photos and about: Local residents most precious objects
5.
Bookshelf Building – Solnechnodolsk, Russia
Jan Is De Man created a large-scale illusion of a bookshelf on the side of a building in Russia. This mural brings together the community’s favorite books, celebrating the joy of reading and knowledge while blending art seamlessly into the architecture.More photos: 3d mural by JanIsDeMan in Solnechnodolsk, Russia
6.
3D Airplane – Anamorphic Mural
This challenging anamorphic piece of a 3D airplane stretches across a concrete wall, showcasing Jan Is De Man’s mastery of perspective and technique. The realistic details make it appear as if the airplane is bursting through the wall, ready to take flight.View this mural from multiple angles: Pretty challenging anamorphic piece
7.
Smiling Building – Utrecht, Netherlands
With a touch of humor and creativity, Jan Is De Man transformed this building into a giant smiling face. The clever use of windows as eyes creates an expression that feels alive.More photos: Building With Smiley Face
8.
Massive Bookshelf Mural in Utrecht, Netherlands
This trompe-l’œil piece gives the illusion of three-dimensional books stacked on shelves, seamlessly blending into the architecture.Discover More of Jan Is De Man’s Street Art
Jan Is De Man’s street art is a testament to his skill in blending imagination with urban landscapes, making the streets a canvas for fun and creativity. His unique approach not only beautifies spaces but also encourages viewers to see their environment from a different perspective.To explore more of his captivating murals and follow his latest projects, be sure to check out his website and follow him on Instagram.
Which is your favorite?
Projects
The murals of Utrecht-based artist Jan Is De Man are inextricably linked to the locations where they are created. The unique shape of a wall or building often inspires his compositions.janisdeman.com
