Trompe-l’œil, or “trick the eye” is an art technique that has existed as far back as Greek and Roman times, and involves creating incredibly lifelike 3D scenes on flat surfaces. And Californian-born artist John Pugh creates such trompe-l’œil murals on the sides of buildings. Here are three of my favourites – click to embiggen.

This is an Egyptian style mural adorns a wall in Los Gatos, California.

This earthquake scene located in Los Gatos was created following a genuine earthquake in 1989.

This mural in Honolulu tricked the fire crews into thinking a child was about to get crushed underneath a tidal wave.

More of Pugh’s murals can be found at Damn Cool Pics.