Author: Richard Schulte

Downtown San Diego has been my home for many years. My online activities reflect my love for writing, blogging, walking and photography.

See the Comic-Con Museum’s first exhibition!

If you happen to be in San Diego the next few weeks, you have an awesome opportunity to see the Comic-Con Museum’s very first exhibition! It’s titled Cover Story: The Art of Comic-Con 50. Why that name? This year will be the 50th Anniversary of San Diego Comic-Con!

Today I enjoyed the big opening of the exhibition, which can be viewed in one room of the Federal Building in Balboa Park, future home of the Comic-Con Museum. Lots of other excited people were in attendance. After listening to a few words by those who are shaping the museum’s future, we all headed into the temporary gallery.

My photos provide a hint of what you’ll find. It’s a bit like the Art of Comic-Con exhibition several years ago at the San Diego Central Library, but the emphasis this time is on original art used for the covers of Comic-Con souvenir program books. You’ll see everything from thumbnail sketches to pencil and ink art to stunning colored finished pieces.

You’ll enjoy the work of many top artists, including names like Jack Kirby, Bruce Timm, Matt Taylor, Babs Tarr, Michael Cho, Jim Lee, John Romita, Jr., William Stout, Adam Hughes, Frank Miller, Bill Sienkiewicz, and Will Eisner.

You’ll also smile at the work of creative children, who have a fun table in the gallery where they can draw their own covers!

Finally, in several glass display cases you’ll find all sorts of souvenir program book interior artwork: original drawings by renowned artists, cartoonists and illustrators, who over the years have sent their greetings to Comic-Con!

According to the Comic-Con Museum: “The exhibit will be open Saturday March 16 and Saturday, March 23 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and on select dates through August 4, 2019. Check our Facebook page for future open dates as they are announced.”

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

Help a fireman assist burn victims.

Did you miss the opportunity to drop a donation into a firefighter’s boot at a San Diego intersection this morning?

You can still help the Burn Institute educate the public about the danger of fire, and assist and provide care for the severely burned.

Donate online here!

Beaumont’s naval Art of the Sea in San Diego.

Planes Roar Into Action from the U.S. Aircraft Carriers Wasp and Enterprise, watercolor, 1941. The Irvine Museum Collection.
Planes Roar Into Action from the U.S. Aircraft Carriers Wasp and Enterprise, watercolor, 1941. The Irvine Museum Collection.

An extraordinary exhibition of work by one of America’s greatest artists is now on display at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. Art of the Sea collects many iconic works by Arthur Beaumont (1890-1978), renowned for his wartime commissions for National Geographic Magazine, and for being named by the U.S. Navy the Artist Laureate of the Fleet in 1958.

Arthur Beaumont’s dramatic paintings not only depict massive warships in action at sea, but ships of every type in locations around the world, and diverse landscapes painted from his travels and rich personal experience.

As a young man Beaumont worked on a ranch in Canada, where he developed his love for sketching and painting. He moved to California and became a ranch hand in the San Joaquin Valley; he then later lived in Los Angeles, working as an artist. His fine portraits were noticed by the U.S. Navy, for whom he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He eventually became America’s foremost military artist. His dramatic paintings record important aspects our nation’s history through many decades.

My poor yellowish photographs in the softly lit Gould Eddy Gallery hardly do justice to the dynamic, brilliantly colorful paintings you’ll experience in this world-class exhibition. Over the years, the Maritime Museum of San Diego has featured some very important artwork, including a breathtaking collection of works by James E. Buttersworth, but this might be my favorite so far!

If you love fine art, or military history, or the sweep of American and world history in general, you must not miss Art of the Sea. After you check out these amazing paintings, stretch your legs and enjoy the many historic ships of the Maritime Museum of San Diego, rated one of the very best maritime museums in the world!

Extraordinary paintings by famed artist Arthur Beaumont fill the Gould Eddy Gallery in the Steam Ferry Berkeley, at the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
Dozens of extraordinary paintings by famed artist Arthur Beaumont fill the Gould Eddy Gallery in the Steam Ferry Berkeley, at the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
Sign describes the life and work of Arthur E. Beaumont, named by the Navy the Artist Laureate of the U.S. Fleet in 1958. He is also known for his wartime commissions for National Geographic Magazine.
Sign describes the life and work of Arthur E. Beaumont, named by the Navy the Artist Laureate of the U.S. Fleet in 1958. He is also known for his wartime commissions for National Geographic Magazine.
A painting of a California Mission, watercolor on paper, 1949. The Irvine Museum Collection.
A painting of a California Mission, watercolor on paper, 1949. The Irvine Museum Collection.
Cowboy at the Corral Lassoing a Steer, oil, 1929. The Bowers Museum.
Cowboy at the Corral Lassoing a Steer, oil, 1929. The Bowers Museum.
John Paul Jones on the USS Ranger, July 4, 1777, pen and ink, 1934. The Stuart Bourdon Collection.
John Paul Jones on the USS Ranger, July 4, 1777, pen and ink, 1934. The Stuart Bourdon Collection.
Portrait of Admiral William D. Leahy, oil on canvas, 1936. U.S. Naval Academy Museum.
Portrait of Admiral William D. Leahy, oil on canvas, 1936. U.S. Naval Academy Museum.
Heavy and Light Cruisers Range Far to Scout or Fight; USS Astoria and USS Phoenix, watercolor on board, 1941. The Irvine Museum Collection.
Heavy and Light Cruisers Range Far to Scout or Fight; USS Astoria and USS Phoenix, watercolor on board, 1941. The Irvine Museum Collection.
Navy Sea Planes, watercolor, 1941. The N. Arthur Astor Family Trust.
Navy Sea Planes, watercolor, 1941. The N. Arthur Astor Family Trust.
War Weary USS San Diego Returns to Home Port, watercolor, 1967. The Hilbert Museum.
War Weary USS San Diego Returns to Home Port, watercolor, 1967. The Hilbert Museum.
Snow Field Training, watercolor, 1942. Catherine Campbell Beaumont Collection.
Snow Field Training, watercolor, 1942. Catherine Campbell Beaumont Collection.
Fog Horn, watercolor, ca. 1950. The Hilbert Collection.
Fog Horn, watercolor, ca. 1950. The Hilbert Collection.
Chinese Junk Boat, watercolor, 1963. Robert Dreibelbis Collection.
Chinese Junk Boat, watercolor, 1963. Robert Dreibelbis Collection.
Stella Polaris, Howard Hughes' yacht, watercolor, 1935. The Los Angeles Maritime Museum.
Stella Polaris, Howard Hughes’ yacht, watercolor, 1935. The Los Angeles Maritime Museum.
Relief of McMurdo, watercolor, 1959. The Irvine Museum Collection.
Relief of McMurdo, watercolor, 1959. The Irvine Museum Collection.
The Last Voyage of the Queen Mary, in the company of the USS Long Beach, watercolor, 1972. Catherine Campbell Beaumont Collection.
The Last Voyage of the Queen Mary, in the company of the USS Long Beach, watercolor, 1972. Catherine Campbell Beaumont Collection.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

Before the Horizon, Beyond the Sea.

A colorful new mural decorates the AV8 Apartments in Little Italy.
A colorful new mural decorates the AV8 Apartments in Little Italy.

A large, very colorful mural has appeared in Little Italy! You can find it on the east wall of the brand new AV8 Aparments, overlooking a small parking lot. The public art is titled Before the Horizon, Beyond the Sea.

Artists David Leavitt and David Torres of CYRCLE created the mural, which honors the unique history of Little Italy–its many Italian and Portuguese tuna fishermen and their families, and the presence of an aviation factory years ago at this location.

Words in the mural trail an airplane, up there in the sky like the many commercial airliners today that fly over Little Italy as they approach San Diego International Airport. PRIMA DELL’ORIZZONTE is Italian for BEFORE THE HORIZON, and ALÉM DA COSTA is Portuguese for BEYOND THE COAST.

Before the Horizon, Beyond the Sea, a 2018 mural by David Leavitt and David Torres, celebrates the unique history of Little Italy.
Before the Horizon, Beyond the Sea, a 2018 mural by David Leavitt and David Torres of CYRCLE, celebrates the unique history of Little Italy.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

Some humorous photos in Little Italy!

Everything you see I owe to spaghetti.
Everything you see I owe to spaghetti.

I was chuckling this morning as I walked through Little Italy.

Here are half a dozen humorous photos!

A friendly attendant stands by in a window of Little Italy's Loading Dock.
A friendly attendant stands by in a window of Little Italy’s Loading Dock.
Peculiar figure above the front windows of Architectural Salvage.
Whimsical figure above the front windows of Architectural Salvage.
Glittery merchandise like a pot of gold in the window of Blick Art Materials.
Glittery merchandise like a pot of gold in the window of Blick Art Materials.
Two neighbors have a friendly oink over their fence.
Two neighbors have a friendly oink over the fence.
There are many bars in Little Italy. There is also a Doggie Bar.
There are many bars in Little Italy. There is also a Doggie Bar.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

A fine Sunday walk along the bay.

Another perfect day in San Diego for a walk, ride or four-legged run by the bay!
Another perfect day for a walk, ride or four-legged run by San Diego Bay!

Favorite sights (plus a few surprises) greeted my eyes as I enjoyed a slow walk along San Diego Bay this afternoon!

Many others were out and about. The breeze was pleasantly cool. Blue sky and sunshine peeked through dramatic clouds.

I walked from the Maritime Museum of San Diego down to the Hilton San Diego Bayside, before turning for home.

Guys at the Maritime Museum of San Diego were busy cutting a chain on the barge.
Guys at the Maritime Museum of San Diego were busy cutting a chain on the barge.
Another volunteer cleans the top of Steam Ferry Berkeley. Good progress is being made on this historic ship's exterior restoration!
A museum volunteer cleans the top of Steam Ferry Berkeley. Good progress is being made on this historic ship’s exterior restoration!
Cool guy Gary Reid provides soulful music by the USS Midway.
Cool guy Gary Reid provides soulful music by the USS Midway.
Visitors to San Diego move through the Greatest Generation Walk toward the Embracing Peace statue.
Visitors to San Diego move along the Greatest Generation Walk toward the Embracing Peace statue.
Bright flowers in the garden by The Fish Market restaurant.
Bright flowers in the garden by The Fish Market restaurant.
A couple pauses to gaze at fishing boats in Tuna Harbor.
A couple pauses to gaze at fishing boats in Tuna Harbor.
I aim my camera through stacked lobster traps.
I aim my camera through stacked lobster traps. I believe the fuzzy white stuff is dead, sun-bleached algae.
I think I recognize that pedicab driver.
I think I recognize that pedicab driver.
A bright sailboat on San Diego Bay, with Coronado in the background.
A bright sailboat on San Diego Bay, with Coronado in the background.
I knew I recognized her! It's Diane!
I knew I recognized her! It’s Diane!
Kyler MacKenzie plays gypsy music on his guitar near Seaport Village.
Kyler MacKenzie plays gypsy music on his guitar near Seaport Village.
A balloon twister guy heads off on his bike.
A balloon twister guy heads off on his bike.
Kids examine a kite near a tree at Embarcadero Marina Park North.
Kids examine a kite near a tree at Embarcadero Marina Park North.
Almost like a dream. Perhaps you can tell why I love San Diego.
Almost like a dream. Perhaps you can tell why I love San Diego.
People with dogs on the grass, the Coronado Bay Bridge in the distance.
People with dogs on the grass, the Coronado Bay Bridge in the distance.
A crow on some roots.
A crow on some roots.
The silvery Marriott Marquis and Marina.
The silvery Marriott Marquis and Marina. No rain in the afternoon, but dramatic clouds linger.
Back near Seaport Village, I spotted this cool Popcorn Bar!
Back near Seaport Village, I spotted this cool Popcorn Bar!
Today is the second day of Seaport Village's annual busker festival. George Gilbert from Fort Myers Beach, Florida entertains a good crowd.
Today is the second day of Seaport Village’s annual busker festival. George Gilbert from Fort Myers Beach, Florida entertains a good crowd.
I always seem to see a snowy egret at this same spot in the Marriott Marina.
I always seem to see a snowy egret at this same spot in the Marriott Marina.
Workers string some lights near the Marina Terrace.
Workers string some lights near the Marina Terrace.
A pinwheel and a smile! You can't go wrong with that combination!
A pinwheel and a smile! You can’t go wrong with that combination!
It's a Wonderful Life.
It’s a Wonderful Life.
But getting old does present difficulties.
But getting old does present difficulties.
The Flame of Friendship sculpture gleams up on the San Diego Convention Center.
The Flame of Friendship sculpture gleams up on the San Diego Convention Center.
Walking along.
Walking along.
Trees and clouds seen from Embarcadero Marina Park South.
Trees and clouds seen from Embarcadero Marina Park South.
A large gull near diners at Burgers, Bait and Beer.
A large gull near diners at Burgers, Bait and Beer.
Here come Spirit of San Diego and Admiral Hornblower. Both are coming from South Bay on a harbor tour.
Here come Spirit of San Diego and Admiral Hornblower. Both are coming from the South Bay on a harbor tour.
A water taxi comes in from Coronado. That huge yellow Dole Atlantic ship is loading containers at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.
A water taxi comes in from Coronado. That huge yellow Dole Atlantic ship is loading containers at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.
Those empty containers being loaded by the ship's crane will fill up with bananas eventually and come on back to San Diego.
Those empty containers being loaded by the ship’s crane will fill up with bananas eventually and come on back to San Diego.
A look up at the Hilton San Diego Bayside from the side that faces away from downtown.
A look up at the Hilton San Diego Bayside from its side that faces away from downtown.
Near this bayside entrance to the Hilton there's a place to take photos. Greetings from San Diego.
Near the bayside entrance to the Hilton there’s a place to take photos. Greetings from San Diego.
Another perfect early March day on San Diego Bay.
Another perfect early March day on San Diego Bay.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Art raises awareness about bird trafficking.

Public art now on display in Seaport Village aims to raise awareness about the impact of illegal bird trafficking.

Birds Without Paradise (Pajaros sin Paraiso) was created by Oaxacan artist Manuel Molina with the assistance of volunteers and school children in both the United States and Mexico. Many life-size birds made of corn husks and wood take flight overhead, reminding us of the harm caused by illegal bird trafficking.

The freedom themed art, which has been displayed at various locations in both nations, strengthens cross-border cultural connections and is a delightful bond between diverse people.

These colorful birds will be flocking above Seaport Village, just west of the central fountain, through April!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

Cool photos of San Diego’s 2019 Busker Fest!

San Diego's own world-famous Murrugun the Mystic exhales a huge fireball during Seaport Village's 2019 Busker Fest!
San Diego’s own world-famous Murrugun the Mystic exhales a huge fireball during Seaport Village’s 2019 Busker Fest!

This is my fifth year blogging about Seaport Village’s annual busker festival. It’s so much fun, I try not to miss it!

This afternoon I randomly walked about Seaport Village, checking out the acts of great street performers from all around the United States and the world. I protected my camera from the wind and showers and took a whole bunch of photographs. Unfortunately, today’s attendance seemed reduced by the weather.

Tomorrow the sun is supposed to come out. Hopefully more people will then head to Seaport Village for this free weekend event!

The highlight for me was the two-act performance of San Diego’s own world-famous danger act and carnival sideshow performer Murrugun the Mystic! As I watched, I could plainly see he was enjoying himself!

Since I last blogged about Murrugun, he has appeared on even more TV shows. He has now been featured on AMC’s Freakshow, Cougar Town, CSI: New York, The Late Late Show with James Corden, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! He also holds multiple Guinness World Records for sword swallowing!

I spoke to him briefly after his show, and I learned he’s devising a hollow tube contraption that he will insert into his throat. From that tube he will explosively shoot flaming arrows! Wow! I can’t wait to see that!

Here come fun photos! Enjoy!

Even with the drizzly, breezy winter weather, people came out to Seaport Village on Saturday to watch some of the best street performers from around the world.
Even with the drizzly, breezy winter weather, people came out to Seaport Village on Saturday to watch some of the best street performers in the world.
Daniel Israel juggles while high atop a unicycle!
Daniel Israel juggles while high atop a unicycle!
Cate Flaherty is a professional circus acrobat. Her juggling and balancing performance was great!
Cate Flaherty is a professional circus acrobat with a big smile. Her juggling and balancing performance was great!
George Gilbert entertains people by the water. For a grand finale, he magically made a pineapple appear under his hat!
George Gilbert entertains people by the water. For a grand finale, he magically made a pineapple appear under his hat!
Nolan Webster included a lot of humor in his parlor magic show. That ball was actually attached to his nose! Cheater!
Nolan Webster included a lot of humor in his parlor magic show. That ball was actually attached to his nose! Cheater!
The audiences at the Busker Fest were all smiles.
The audiences at the Busker Fest were all smiles.
Kids seemed to have the best time while the buskers performed. Many adults were very shy.
Kids seemed to have the best time while the buskers performed. Many adults were very shy.
Murrugan the Mystic calls an audience together near Seaport Village's central fountain before beginning his amazing two part act!
Murrugun the Mystic calls an audience together near Seaport Village’s central fountain before beginning his amazing two-part act!
Murrugan's first act is a series of fantastic fire breathing and eating tricks, including shooting flames out of his mouth!
Murrugun’s first act is a series of fantastic fire breathing and eating tricks, including shooting flames out of his mouth! He performed to one side, out of the wind.
The second act was sword swallowing. Murrugan the Mystic is one of the very few true sword swallowers in the world.
The second act was sword swallowing. Murrugun the Mystic is one of very few true sword swallowers in the world.
That's a genuine, long and very sharp sword poised on Murrugun's tongue.
That’s a genuine, long and very sharp sword poised on Murrugun’s tongue.
Here we go!
Here we go!
When all the way in, the sword has penetrated between his heart and lungs and ends at the bottom of his stomach, just below the belly button!
When all the way in, the sword has penetrated between his heart and lungs and ends at the bottom of his stomach, just below the belly button!
Next comes a sword sandwich--six swords carefully aligned together. Over the decades, a scary number of performers have died doing this dangerous sword swallowing trick.
Next comes a sword sandwich–six swords carefully aligned together. Over the decades, a scary number of performers have died doing this dangerous sword swallowing trick. Murrugun himself was once seriously injured.
That's a lot of sharp steel to swallow!
That’s a lot of sharp steel to swallow!
In go six genuine swords!
In go six genuine swords!
One of the most amazing human spectacles you're likely to ever witness!
One of the most amazing human spectacles you’re likely to ever witness!
Back near the water, Jonathan Strange was doing ring linking magic with an assistant from the audience.
Back near the water, Jonathan Strange was doing some mystifying ring linking magic with an assistant chosen from the audience.
Molly Keczan includes lasso rope tricks in her fun The Farmer's Daughter Show.
Molly Keczan includes lasso rope tricks in her fun The Farmer’s Daughter Show.
The Farmer's Daughter keeps balance as she walks along the top of glass milk bottles--with one good eye! A wildly successful show, in spite of her contact lens difficulty!
The Farmer’s Daughter keeps balance as she walks along the top of glass milk bottles–with one good eye! A wildly successful show, in spite of her contact lens difficulty!
While walking around I spotted Martika Daniels setting up for her act with a big smile.
While walking around I spotted Martika Daniels setting up for her act with a big smile.
Martika's cool show included being stood upon while lying on a bed of nails!
Martika’s amazing show included being stood upon while lying on a bed of nails!
Ouch! Martika explained that stunts like this make some of life's difficulties seem small by comparison. Her show was super positive and inspirational!
Ouch! Martika explained that stunts like this make some of life’s difficulties seem small by comparison. Her show was super positive and inspirational!
Another awesome sword swallowing act!
Another awesome sword swallowing act!
Buskers and audience members all seemed to have a good time, even if the San Diego weather didn't cooperate today!
Buskers and audience members all seemed to have a great time, even if the San Diego weather didn’t cooperate today!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

A small story about wonder.

This morning I posted a new story on my website Short Stories by Richard.

Every Butterfly is New is a bit like these small walks we go on.

It’s about discovering small and large things.

It’s about looking at ourselves.

Read it here.

Mysterious reflections of ships on water.

Reflection on the water of HMS Surprise.
Reflection on the water of HMS Surprise.

Early this morning I walked from Cortez Hill down to San Diego Bay. I spent a few quiet minutes between the Maritime Museum of San Diego and the Grape Street Pier.

The sun was very bright. It wasn’t long before I noticed wavy reflections of ships on the water!

Without reading the photo captions, can you identify each ship by its mysterious reflection?

Reflection on the water of Steam Ferry Berkeley.
Reflection on the water of Steam Ferry Berkeley.
Reflection on the water of HMS Surprise and Steam Ferry Berkeley.
Reflection on the water of HMS Surprise and Steam Ferry Berkeley.
Reflection on the water near USS Dolphin of Steam Ferry Berkeley.
Reflection on the water near USS Dolphin of Steam Ferry Berkeley.
Reflection on the water of Medea, Pilot, America, San Salvador, and Californian.
Reflection on the water of Medea, Pilot, America, San Salvador, and Californian.
Reflection on the water of Admiral Hornblower.
Reflection on the water of Admiral Hornblower.
Reflection on the water of Star of India.
Reflection on the water of Star of India.
Reflection on the water of Star of India.
Reflection on the water of Star of India.
Reflection on the water of Star of India.
Reflection on the water of Star of India.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!