Tag: art

Memories of summer on a chilly San Diego morning.

The sounds and sunshine of summer linger on a building in downtown San Diego.
Sunshine and the sounds of summer linger on a building in downtown San Diego.

Yes, San Diego has sunny, temperate weather for most of the year–many say our city has the best weather in the whole wide world. But, you know, these mornings in December can seem a bit chilly. At least to me. So I was thankful to spot some warm art this morning at the corner of Fourth Avenue and C Street.

Memories of summer linger on . . .

Musical notes and birds fly among tropical palm trees. An image on a utility box warms the city as winter nears.
Musical notes and birds fly among palm trees. As winter nears, an image on a utility box warms the heart of the city.

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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!

Cool street art and signs in Ocean Beach!

Surfer walks past a community mural in Ocean Beach. The mural project was begun by OB artist Rich James in 1999. Residents each paint a square in the finished artwork.
Surfer walks past a community mural in Ocean Beach. The mural project was begun by OB artist Rich James in 1999. During special events, residents each paint a square in the mosaic artwork.

Just some more cool photos of colorful signs and street art taken while walking around Ocean Beach. I’ve arranged them in no particular order. Enjoy!

Cool street art mural on the side of a building near the foot of the OB pier.
Cool street art mural on the side of a building near the foot of the OB pier. Artist Celeste Byers collaborated with Aaron Glasson.
A small totem pole and some geraniums.
A small totem pole and some geraniums.
Surfing street art on OB utility box shows a view down the barrel of perfect wave.
Surfing street art on OB utility box shows a view down the barrel of perfect wave.
Motorcycle graphic on repair shop wall.
Motorcycle graphic on repair shop wall.
A mermaid holds ocean gifts. A mural in an Ocean Beach alley above a dumpster.
A mermaid holds a shell full of ocean gifts. A mural in an Ocean Beach alley above a dumpster.
Images of breaking surf high on a building wall.
Images of breaking surf high on a building wall.
Candy and goodies depicted on a colorfully painted Beach Sweets sign.
Candy and goodies depicted on a colorfully painted Beach Sweets sign.
This octopus on Newport Avenue seems to enjoy beer and pizza. One can grab a lot with eight tentacles!
This octopus on Newport Avenue seems to enjoy beer and pizza. One can grab a lot with eight tentacles!
A pelican, pizza and ale.
A pelican, pizza and ale.
Ocean Beach Surf School truck features cool surfer art.
Ocean Beach Surf School truck parked by sand features cool surfer art.
A splash of urban art on the side of the Hodads building.
A splash of urban art on the side of the Hodad’s building.
Another of many community murals in Ocean Beach. This one depicts underwater sea life.
Another of the many community murals in Ocean Beach. This one depicts underwater sea life.
What appears to be a tropical island scene on a utility box in OB.
What appears to be a tropical island scene on a utility box in OB.
Art along a sidewalk shows lush vegetation and the OB pier.
Art along a sidewalk shows lush vegetation and the OB pier.
Three parrots take flight.
Three parrots take flight.
Surfboards lie in wait beyond open door of the groovy USA Hostels Ocean Beach.
Surfboards lie in wait beyond open door of the groovy USA Hostels Ocean Beach.
Street lamp on Newport Avenue features palm trees.
Street lamp on Newport Avenue features palm trees.
Car with surfboard drives down Newport Avenue past tattoo parlor street art signs.
Car with surfboard drives down Newport Avenue past hair salon and tattoo parlor street art signs.
Don't believe the hype! You are already beautiful. Music, expression, love.
Don’t believe the hype! You are already beautiful. Music, expression, love.
Volkswagen bug appears to have emerged from the 60s, with peace signs and psychedelic designs.
Volkswagen bug appears to have emerged from the 60s, with peace signs and psychedelic designs.
Ocean Beach community mural features bicycles.
Ocean Beach community mural features bicycles.
The OB Christmas tree near the beach is a focal point of this cool community mural!
The OB Christmas tree near the beach is a focal point of this cool community mural!

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This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego!  Are you curious?  There’s lots of cool stuff to check out!

Here’s the Cool San Diego Sights main page, where you can read the most current blog posts.  If you’re using a small mobile device, click those three parallel lines up at the top–that opens up my website’s sidebar, where you’ll see the most popular posts, a search box, and more!

To enjoy future posts, you can also “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Sculpture of girl remembers Ellen Browning Scripps.

Bronze sculpture of young girl dipping finger into shallow basin of water. The Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial is located at the La Jolla Recreation Center.
Bronze sculpture of young girl dipping finger into shallow basin of water. The Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial is located at the La Jolla Recreation Center.

During my recent walk around La Jolla, I paused for a bit to admire a beautiful bronze sculpture at the La Jolla Recreation Center. The life-size likeness of a girl dipping a finger into a basin of water is officially called the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial. Created by artist Mary Buckman and dedicated in 1997, the gentle artwork remembers a very important figure in San Diego history: Ellen Browning Scripps.

If you live in San Diego, you surely recognize the name Ellen Browning Scripps. She and her brother created a vast business empire as newspaper publishers. During her life she gave most of her wealth away to good causes. She spent much of her life in La Jolla. Indeed, she lived right across Prospect Street from the present-day sculpture; her old residence is now home to the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla.

This sculpture by Mary Buckman is dedicated to the memory of Ellen Browning Scripps. June 28, 1997. A beloved sculpture by James Tank Porter occupied this site from 1926 until its disappearance in 1996.
This sculpture by Mary Buckman is dedicated to the memory of Ellen Browning Scripps. June 28, 1997. A beloved sculpture by James Tank Porter occupied this site from 1926 until its disappearance in 1996.
People enjoy a nearby bench at the La Jolla Recreation Center on a sunny December day.
People enjoy a nearby bench at the La Jolla Recreation Center on a sunny December day.
Inscription on the bench is from Robert Louis Stevenson's A Child's Garden of Verses. I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings.
Inscription on the bench is from Robert Louis Stevenson’s A Child’s Garden of Verses. I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.
A beautiful work of art remembers San Diego journalist and philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps.
A beautiful work of art remembers San Diego journalist and philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps.

Here are several photos I took at a later time…

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I wrote a short story about a girl gazing into a fountain. Would you like to read it? To feel a mixture of joy and sadness, click here.

Unexpected faces appear in the Gaslamp!

Unexpected faces in the window of Sparks Gallery in the Gaslamp Quarter. This colorful work of art commands the attention of those passing down the sidewalk.
Unexpected faces in the window of Sparks Gallery in the Gaslamp Quarter. This colorful work of art commands the attention of anyone passing down the sidewalk.

The Gaslamp Quarter is usually bustling with humanity, as people shop, dine and take a stroll through the historic heart of downtown San Diego. But occasionally unexpected faces appear!

A mannequin high in a window makes one do a double take as one walks down Sixth Avenue through San Diego's Gaslamp.
A mannequin high in a building window made me do a double take as I walked down Sixth Avenue through San Diego’s Gaslamp!
A stylish Tatyana on a Gaslamp shop's sign.
A stylish Tatyana on a Gaslamp shop’s sign.
Doug Loves Movies so much it seems he has forgotten to shave. A funny face spotted while walking down a sidewalk.
Doug Loves Movies so much it seems he has forgotten to shave. A funny face spotted while strolling down a sidewalk, camera in hand.
This unexpected face has no skin. The Chrome Domes seem mostly bones.
This unexpected face has no skin. The Chrome Domes seem mostly bones.
A mischievous face that now looks upon an outdoor patio filled with nobody. Dick's Last Resort in the Gaslamp has closed.
A mischievous face painted next to a deserted patio. Dick’s Last Resort in the Gaslamp has closed after many years.
The Grinch is behaving unexpectedly unGrinchlike in this fun artwork inside the front window of The Chuck Jones Gallery.
The Grinch is smiling and behaving unexpectedly unGrinchlike in this fun artwork inside the front window of The Chuck Jones Gallery.
Very cool! It's Steve McQueen sporting some shades. An image above the windows of Eyes On Fifth.
Very cool! It’s Steve McQueen sporting some shades. An image above the windows of Eyes On Fifth.
This large face painted on the brick wall inside a Gaslamp Quarter restaurant is an unexpected, arresting sight.
A large face painted on the brick wall inside a Gaslamp Quarter restaurant is an unexpected, arresting sight.

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This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego!  Are you curious?  There’s lots of cool stuff to check out!

Here’s the Cool San Diego Sights main page, where you can read the most current blog posts.  If you’re using a small mobile device, click those three parallel lines up at the top–that opens up my website’s sidebar, where you’ll see the most popular posts, a search box, and more!

To enjoy future posts, you can also “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Dots, squares, cubes, and a crazy tangle.

Colorful dots on the side of a building in downtown San Diego.
Colorful dots on the side of a building in downtown San Diego.

Every walk through the city is a voyage of discovery. Everywhere you turn there are sudden surprises of color, form and depth. An inquisitive scientist might see geometric order; an artist might discern shades, intimations, emotion.

This morning, during a walk through downtown, I photographed dots, squares, cubes and a rather crazy tangle.

Six blue squares on the north side of the Columbia Place building.
Six blue squares on the north side of the Columbia Place building.
Steel cubes on west side of Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, which is housed in the Santa Fe Depot's old baggage terminal. Art by Richard Serra, 2005.
Steel cubes on west side of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, which is housed in the Santa Fe Depot’s old baggage terminal. Art by Richard Serra, 2005.  Litter atop cube 1 is by Anonymous.  Idealized (though rusty) art meets messy (real) life.
A crazy tangle of electrical lines in the entrance of the David C. Copley Building in downtown San Diego.
A crazy tangle of electrical lines in the entrance of the David C. Copley Building in downtown San Diego. A sculpture at MCASD. Power Maze with Sconce, Roman de Salvo, 1998.

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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!

Cool, creative door handles in San Diego.

A pair of metal lobster door handles.
A pair of metal lobster door handles.

Check out some photos of cool, creative door handles that I’ve spotted while walking around San Diego. I snapped a couple of these photographs months ago, and unfortunately I’ve forgotten where I took them. I guess I’m not terribly organized! Or perhaps I’m just lazy and took no notes.

Electric guitar door handle at Hard Rock Cafe in San Diego's Gaslamp.
Electric guitar door handle at Hard Rock Cafe in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.
Two door handles made of artistically bent rebar.
Two door handles made of artistically bent rebar.
Door handles of Yard House don't contain beer. One must step inside.
These door handles at the Yard House don’t contain beer. One must step inside.
Interesting door handles together form a disk and leaf.
Interesting door handles together form a disk and raised leaf.
One very ornate door handle in San Diego.
One very ornate door handle in San Diego.
A lion's head handle on a rusty gate.
A lion’s head handle on a rusty gate.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! 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 fun photos for you to enjoy!

Thanksgiving wisdom on a fence.

Chalk art wisdom on a city fence. Give Thanks. Don't let the things you want make you forget the things you have.
Thanksgiving chalk art wisdom on a fence. Give Thanks. Don’t let the things you want make you forget the things you have.

Just sharing some Thanksgiving wisdom. I spotted this chalk art on a fence during a walk up Fifth Avenue.

Give Thanks. Don’t let the things you want make you forget the things you have.

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

The colorful windows of Seaport Village.

Christmas angels peer out of a window at Silver Crossing in Seaport Village.
Christmas angels peer out of a window at Silver Crossing in Seaport Village.

Radical changes are coming to nearly 40-year-old Seaport Village. A redevelopment plan that was recently approved will transform the quaint collection of shops and restaurants on downtown’s waterfront into a massive complex called Seaport San Diego.  The new development will contain even more shopping and dining options, several hotels, a 480-foot observation tower, a public beach, aquarium, Smithsonian attraction, and more.

Many of the shops that people have come to know over the years will vanish. Admittedly, Seaport Village today is a touristy hodgepodge. One wouldn’t really expect to see a New England lighthouse in Southern California. But no matter. I still enjoy meandering through on a sunny weekend! There are buskers aplenty and live music and people-watching and the nearby grassy park with kites flying in the breeze. And onion rings and pretzels and ice cream!

And there are the windows. Kaleidoscope windows. Windows winking with color. Windows painted with unexpected images. Windows full of gaudy trinkets, the typical souvenirs, whimsical novelties, and even a rare treasure or two you’ll find nowhere else.

Here are a few of the windows.

A lady holding a colorful bouquet in the window of Seaport Deli and Salad Bar.
A lady holding a colorful bouquet in the window of Seaport Deli and Salad Bar.
Beach, clouds, muffin and coffee in a window of the Seaport Cookie Company.
Beach, clouds, muffin and coffee in a window of the Seaport Cookie Company.
Exotic masks for a masquerade in a window of Upstart Crow Bookstore and Coffeehouse.
Exotic masks for a masquerade in one window of Upstart Crow Bookstore and Coffeehouse.
Floral designs around one window of the Seaport Fudge Factory.
Floral designs around one window of the Seaport Fudge Factory.
Window mural painted by San Diego artist Joel Sharp in 1996. You can find it in Seaport Village at Margaritas Kitchen and Cantina.
Window mural painted by San Diego artist Joel Sharp in 1996. You can find it in Seaport Village at Margaritas Kitchen and Cantina.
Christopher M., known as The Painter of Chefs, has samples of his work displayed in one window of Exclusive Collections Gallery in Seaport Village.
Christopher M., known as The Painter of Chefs, has samples of his work displayed in one window of Exclusive Collections Gallery in Seaport Village.
Delightful characters fill the window at The Mugger in Seaport Village.
Delightful characters fill the window at The Mugger in Seaport Village.
A window full of irresistible treats at the Seaport Cookie Company.
A window full of irresistible treats at the Seaport Cookie Company.
Three smiling faces in the Upstart Crow window. Can you spot all three.
There are several smiling faces in this Upstart Crow window. Can you spot all three?
Zoltar the fortune teller will read your future from his own small window.
Zoltar the fortune teller will read your future from his own small window.
Coral and other beautiful objects in a window of Seaport Village Shell Co. Limited.
Coral and other beautiful objects in a window of Seaport Village Shell Co. Limited.
Tourists might take home a glittery San Diego sombrero once they glimpse these in the window of Mexican Fiesta.
Tourists might take home a glittery San Diego sombrero once they glimpse these in the window of Mexican Fiesta.
Sunflowers and blue window frames at Frost Me Gourmet Cupcakes in Seaport Village.
Sunflowers and blue window frames at Frost Me Gourmet Cupcakes in Seaport Village.

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This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego!  Are you curious?  There’s lots of cool stuff to check out!

Here’s the Cool San Diego Sights main page, where you can read the most current blog posts.  If you’re using a small mobile device, click those three parallel lines up at the top–that opens up my website’s sidebar, where you’ll see the most popular posts, a search box, and more!

To enjoy future posts, you can also “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Cool street art: The Nest Murals near Chicano Park.

The Nest Murals include a big blue whale on a yellow fence in Barrio Logan, not far from downtown San Diego.
The Nest Murals include a big blue whale on a yellow fence in Barrio Logan, not far from downtown San Diego.

I stumbled upon a collection of colorful murals the other day while walking through Barrio Logan. A project of The Nest, founded by San Diego artist Jorge Mendoza, this very cool street art can be found near the intersection of National Avenue and Evans Street, a block southeast of Chicano Park.

Check out these pics!

Boldly spray painted designs dazzle the eye and inspire imagination.
Boldly spray painted designs dazzle the eye and inspire imagination.
A large eye watches Evans Street, a block southeast of Chicano Park.
A large eye watches Evans Street, a block southeast of Chicano Park.
Swirls of blue, green, pink, and an old Volkswagen Beetle.
Swirls of blue, green, pink, and an old Volkswagen Beetle.
Entering an alley, we see a lot more cool street art spray painted on a fence.
Entering an alley, we see a lot more cool street art spray painted on a fence.
A brush-head and skull-flower makes one look twice.
A brush-head and skull-flower makes one look twice.
Three eyes in a blazing sun, which shines from The Nest Murals in Barrio Logan.
Three eyes in a blazing sun, which shines from The Nest Murals in Barrio Logan.
Odd creatures made of cloth, buttons and pins paint graffiti on a garage door.
Odd creatures made of cloth, buttons and pins paint graffiti on a garage door.
A hand emerges from the mouth of a fish at The Nest Murals.
A hand emerges from the mouth of a fish at The Nest Murals.
Fun colorful designs include cheese.
Colorful artwork includes images of cheese.
A face with odd geometric features in the Barrio Logan alley.
A face with odd features in the Barrio Logan alley.
Super creative street art at The Nest Murals, located near Chicano Park.
Very creative street art at The Nest Murals, located near Chicano Park.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! 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 fun photos for you to enjoy!

New Barrio Logan mural honors four lost lives.

A long mural painted on a building at the corner of National Avenue and Evans Street honors four lives that were lost during a tragic accident in Chicano Park on October 15, 2016.
A long mural painted on a building at the corner of National Avenue and Evans Street honors four lives that were lost during a tragic accident in Chicano Park on October 15, 2016.

Here are photos of the new mural in Barrio Logan that honors the lives of four people who died tragically last month in Chicano Park under the Coronado Bay Bridge. On October 14, the four–Annamarie Contreras, Cruz Elias Contreras, Andre Christopher Banks and Francine Denise Jimenez–were attending the annual La Raza Run motorcycle festival in Chicano Park when a car driven by a drunk driver suddenly plummeted from the bridge onto the crowd below. The news that four were killed and eight were injured was shocking. Many were shaken. So many hearts were broken.

The new artwork, which includes a tribute to the four victims, can be found at the corner of National Avenue and Evans Street, a block southeast of Chicano Park. Chicano Park is famous for its many colorful murals that depict the civil rights struggles of Mexican Americans and immigrants.

On Saturday, October 16, the day we started our mural, four members of the annual Raza Run lost their lives in the tragic accident at Chicano Park.
On Saturday, October 16, the day we started our mural, four members of the annual Raza Run lost their lives in the tragic accident at Chicano Park.
The mural is titled Que Viva Barrio Logan, by artist Mario Torero. It's painted on the side of Diego and Son Printing. Making a difference in our community.
The mural is titled Que Viva Barrio Logan, by artist Mario Torero. It’s painted on the side of Diego and Son Printing. Words proclaim: Making a difference in our community.
The mural transmits great emotion. Many in the Barrio Logan community oppose gentrification.
The mural transmits great emotion. Many in the Barrio Logan community oppose gentrification.
The mural also includes a message opposing the building of a new stadium downtown.
The mural also includes a message opposing the building of a new stadium downtown.
Working under the Coronado Bay Bridge, home of Chicano Park.
Working under the Coronado Bay Bridge, home of Chicano Park.
A few of the many images in the mural. Breaking a chain of bondage. Music and pride. Protect the water.
A few of the images in the mural. Breaking a chain of bondage. Music and pride. Protect the water.
A bold face in Barrio Logan.
The face of Bob Dylan in Barrio Logan.
Skeletons on bicycles. Symbols, I believe, of past loved ones.
Skeletons on bicycles. Symbols, I believe, of past loved ones.
Withstanding with Standing Rock.
Withstanding with Standing Rock.
The face of a migrant worker.
The face of a migrant worker.
Walking down the National Avenue sidewalk, past a new mural that celebrates life, memory and history in Barrio Logan.
Walking down the National Avenue sidewalk, past a new mural that celebrates life, memory and history in Barrio Logan.

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