Kurt Wenner’s 3D pavement works have been popularized all around Europe and scattered by mimicking artists all around the United States. And for a former NASA employee who was looking for something more for his artistic inspiration, Wenner set off to Europe; his educational journey lead him to discover the beauties of Roman ceiling art of the 17th century and Renaissance Classicism, both his main muse for the Grand Canyon 3D painting project.

“Grand Canyon Illusion” wasn’t a particularly easy challenge, either. Wenner said the hardest part had to be depicting the gorge’s vastness. But the artist said it was a definite step up from his traditional pavement art, and “[y]ou can do everything from fine art to publicity to a drawing demonstration or performance to what eventually is going to be a permanent form of art,” said Wenner. “It isn’t really in a box. It doesn’t limit you to one particular venue. I’m not stuck with the gallery world or the publicity world. I can choose where I want to go with it.”

Typically Wenner completes 12 pieces a year, and put over 150 hours into the “Grand Canyon Illusion.” The semi-permanent work can be seen at the National Geographic Visitor Center in Tusayan, and is best viewed from a corner perspective, near the South Rim area of the park.

(via Deseret News; photo via Vancouver Sun)