Tag: art

Cancer Survivors Park: Hope, beauty, healing.

Today with modern medicine there's a pretty good chance of beating cancer.
Today with modern medicine there’s a pretty good chance of beating cancer.

Cancer Survivors Park is located at Spanish Landing, across Harbor Drive from San Diego International Airport. It’s an inspiring place of hope, beauty and healing.

At the center of the park is an arrangement of bronze sculptures by renowned artist Victor Salmones, representing people from all walks of life dealing with cancer. The journey can be complicated and difficult. A walkway that meanders through the park features plaques containing useful, positive messages.

If you also feel inspired, please feel free to share.

Some people have been cured from every type of cancer.
Some people have been cured from every type of cancer.
People from all walks of life can get cancer.
People from all walks of life can get cancer.
Cancer is the most curable of all chronic diseases.
Cancer is the most curable of all chronic diseases.
Bronze forms represent people beginning to undergo medical treatment.
Bronze forms represent people beginning to undergo medical treatment.
Realize that cancer is a life threatening disease but some beat it. Make up your mind you will be one of those who do.
Realize that cancer is a life threatening disease but some beat it. Make up your mind you will be one of those who do.
People like you and I start the difficult journey to have their cancer eliminated.
People like you and I start the difficult journey to have their cancer eliminated.
Make a commitment to do everything in your power to help yourself fight the disease.
Make a commitment to do everything in your power to help yourself fight the disease.
Beginning cancer treatment can be a bit scary and confusing.
Beginning cancer treatment can be a bit scary and confusing.
Find a qualified doctor in whom you have confidence who believes he can successfully treat you.
Find a qualified doctor in whom you have confidence who believes he can successfully treat you.
Young lady begins cancer treatment, feeling uncertain.
Young lady begins cancer treatment, feeling uncertain.
Treat your cancer promptly, properly and thoroughly and have a positive mental attitude.
Treat your cancer promptly, properly and thoroughly and have a positive mental attitude.
Happy family emerges from cancer treatment with a brand new life.
Happy family emerges from cancer treatment with a brand new life.
Get state of the art treatment. Know all your options. Knowledge heals.
Get state of the art treatment. Know all your options. Knowledge heals.
Bicyclist rides through San Diego's Cancer Survivors Park.
Bicyclist rides through San Diego’s Cancer Survivors Park.
Cancer Survivors Park is located at Spanish Landing, near Lindbergh Field.
Cancer Survivors Park is located at Spanish Landing, near Lindbergh Field.

Stylish street art in a dark, unexpected place.

Elegant street art found on Highway 163 underpass wall.
Elegant street art found on Highway 163 underpass wall.

I was surprised to discover this polished bit of street art in a place where few venture in Mission Valley:  in the darkness under Highway 163, along Camino de la Reina, among graffiti and windblown litter.  Joggers and the homeless pass through here, but not very often.  Who was the artist?  Why did they paint a stylish image in this location?  It’s a mystery!

UPDATE!!!

This morning, February 5th, exactly one day after the first photo was taken, I walked to work again and the street art and graffiti were painted over! I don’t know if this is pure coincidence, or the result of my blog yesterday…

The street art has been painted over!
The street art has been painted over!

The dynamic, spiritual chalk art of Steve Mac.

Steve Mac, chalk portrait artist at Seaport Village.
Steve Mac, chalk portrait artist at Seaport Village.

Artists abound along the Embarcadero near Seaport Village. They’ll paint a quick portrait for a modest donation. Today during my walk, I stopped for a bit to chat with Steve Mac.

Steve uses his talent to capture the essence of his subjects. He has a philosophical outlook on life, shunning the material and the ego for the beautiful essence found everywhere around, and within us. About a year and a half ago he had a profound spiritual experience not far from where we spoke, and he woke up from a state of worry and confusion to a spirit-filled life in the now.

Here are a few of his works he had out on display:

Chalk art contains symbols of yin and yang, and the four elements.
Chalk art and symbols of yin and yang, and the four elements.
Serene face between wolves of creativity and destruction.
Serene face between wolves of creativity and destruction.
Sample of colorful double portrait rendered in chalk.
Sample of colorful double portrait rendered in chalk.
Amazing abstract chalk art captures life's essence.
Amazing abstract chalk art captures life’s essence.

I promised to link to his Facebook page.

More photos of murals around Chicano Park.

Ser humano, to be human.
Ser humano, to be human.

Here are even more pics from Barrio Logan!  These photos were taken on the north side of Chicano Park, from the basketball court to Cesar Chavez Boulevard, including a stretch under the I-5 overpass.

As I mentioned before, some of these images might be considered controversial.  To see previous photos, click the Chicano Park tag at the bottom of this post and scroll down.  I have one more batch of photos coming up.  Please feel free to share anything on this blog!

Raza mural decries Operation Gatekeeper.
Raza mural decries Operation Gatekeeper.
Cesar Chavez Blvd mural under busy freeway.
Cesar Chavez Blvd mural under busy freeway.
Arriba Mexico on I-5 underpass mural.
Arriba Mexico on I-5 underpass mural.
Painted family greets traffic in Barrio Logan.
A painted Cesar Chavez and two youth greet traffic in Barrio Logan.
Aztlan mural on Cesar Chavez Boulevard.
Aztlan mural on Cesar Chavez Boulevard.
Pedestrians near Chicano Park walk past public art.
Pedestrians near Chicano Park walk past public art.
Mural at edge of Chicano Park opposes retrofitting.
Mural at edge of Chicano Park opposes retrofitting.
Painted images on Interstate 5 north of Chicano Park.
Painted images on Interstate 5 north of Chicano Park.
Utility box painted with El Corazon.
Utility box painted with El Corazon, the heart.
Mural supports Race, opposes the Border Patrol.
Mural supports Race, opposes the Border Patrol.
Elaborate mural on handball court in Chicano Park.
Elaborate mural containing ancient symbolism on a handball court in Chicano Park.
Painted jaguar crouches near basketball court.
Painted jaguar crouches near basketball court.
A very detailed mural in Chicano Park.
A very detailed and colorful mural in Chicano Park.
Aztec mural painted near chain link fence.
Aztec mural painted near chain link fence.
Utility box with colorful figures.
Utility box with colorful figures, including a mariachi.
Classic cars depicted on a concrete pillar.
Classic cars depicted on a concrete pillar.
San Diego Lowrider Council mural in Chicano Park.
San Diego Lowrider Council mural in Chicano Park.

Weirdly artistic photos of San Diego River.

San Diego River mottled with algae, behind grey branches.
San Diego River mottled with algae, behind grey branches.

Usually I keep my old camera on Auto mode then just aim and shoot.  I take a million pics and hope a few come out okay.

This morning, during my walk to work through Mission Valley, I was fortunate to capture some weirdly artistic photographs.  I paused a few times on the south side of the San Diego River as the sun rose.  The slanting light illuminated patches of red algae, bright green reeds and tangles of dry branches.

San Diego River looks like an Impressionist painting.
San Diego River looks like an Impressionist painting.
Red algae and bright green reeds in San Diego River.
Red algae and bright green reeds in San Diego River.
Morning light on San Diego River and swirls of color.
Morning light on San Diego River and swirls of color.

My favorite sailor my grandpa.

My favorite sailor my grandpa.
My favorite sailor my grandpa.

Hundreds of colorful tiles encircle a large playground at Liberty Station.  Each tile was carefully painted by a child.  This one contains a special message.

Fantastic murals on India Street in Little Italy.

Vivid mural adds zest to an ordinary building on India Street.
Vivid mural adds zest to an ordinary building on India Street.

One great thing about Little Italy, a lively neighborhood in downtown San Diego, is the abundance of public art.  Should you ever walk down India Street past the many coffee shops, restaurants and art galleries, you’ll almost certainly find yourself lingering in front of a colorful mural.  They seem to be everywhere.

I recently strolled down India Street and took these photos:

Two people gaze from painted mural window in Little Italy.
Two people gaze from painted mural window in Little Italy.
Public mural in Little Italy is alive with warmth.
Public mural in Little Italy is alive with warmth.
Mural seems to reveal one man’s mysterious, inner life.
Mural seems to reveal one man’s mysterious, inner life.
Mural high on side of building depicts Venetian gondoliers.
Mural high on side of building depicts Venetian gondoliers.
Artwork inside passage to stylish courtyard near La Pensione Hotel.
Artwork inside passage to stylish courtyard near La Pensione Hotel.
La Pensione Hotel in Little Italy has an interesting semi-outdoor area with lots of murals.
La Pensione Hotel in Little Italy has a semi-outdoor area with lots of murals.
Fragment of the Sistine Chapel on a building wall.
Fragment of the Sistine Chapel on a building wall.

Long mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.

01 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
01 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.

We’re back in Barrio Logan’s famous Chicano Park with more pics!

The mural featured here is a very long one.  It’s painted behind the park’s fenced basketball court, on a low wall that borders Interstate 5.  Like the other public murals in Chicano Park, it’s a colorful hodgepodge of figures and symbols that seem to share one general theme: Mexican American pride and empowerment.

The photos move along the mural from right to left.

02 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
02 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
03 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
03 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
04 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
04 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
05 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
05 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
06 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
06 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
07 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
07 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
08 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
08 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
09 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
09 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
10 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
10 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
11 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
11 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
12 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
12 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
13 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
13 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
14 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
14 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
15 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
15 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
16 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
16 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.

Fun mural on Harbor Drive in Barrio Logan.

Fun mural in Barrio Logan shows flag, kids, fruit, a train and birds.
Fun mural in Barrio Logan shows flag, kids, fruit, a train and birds.

Barrio Logan, just south of downtown San Diego, is bursting with huge, colorful street murals.  Several great examples can be found around the intersection of Harbor Drive and Cesar Chavez Parkway.  The one shown in these pics is immediately north of the intersection.

This mural is fairly large, so I’ve broken it up into several photos, moving from left to right.  The first part depicts kids and playful, animated fruit.  This gives way to a scene of a train moving through what appears to be an estuary full of birds.  A narrow panel along the side of the train is made of a shiny, reflective material.

I believe this mural was painted by Salvador Roberto Torres, who was one of the founders of nearby Chicano Park.

Happy faces of kids on San Diego street.
Happy faces of kids on San Diego street.
A big friendly dog painted on building side.
A big friendly dog painted on building side.
These animated fruit are goofing around in this fun Barrio Logan street mural.
These animated fruit are goofing around in this fun Barrio Logan street mural.
A train with silvery windows passes through scene of lagoon with water birds.
A train with silvery windows passes through scene of lagoon with water birds.
Herons and an estuary in mural on Harbor Drive north of Cesar Chavez Parkway
Herons and an estuary in mural on Harbor Drive north of Cesar Chavez Parkway

Crafts, curios and small clutters of color.

Corn husk roses, crosses, scepters and dragonflies.
Corn husk roses, crosses, scepters and dragonflies.

A carefree walk with open eyes is a feast.  One meanders into endless discoveries.  Even cheap wares on the sidewalk or cart are worth a moment’s attention.

These photos of crafts, curios and colorful clutter were taken during an ordinary walk along San Diego’s Embarcadero.

Dazzled by sunglasses shining in the sun.
Dazzled by sunglasses shining in the sun.
Painted skulls, beads and assorted Mexican trinkets.
Painted skulls, beads and assorted Mexican trinkets.
Beads are a common product on sidewalks along the Embarcadero.
Beads are a common product on sidewalks along the Embarcadero.
Shells and dangling ornaments for sale on small vendor's cart near the Midway.
Shells and dangling ornaments for sale on small vendor’s cart near the Midway.
A rainbow of colors! Name bracelets alphabetically ordered.
A rainbow of colors! Name bracelets alphabetically ordered.
Layered dreamcatchers might catch really big dreams.
Layered dreamcatchers might catch really big dreams.
Combination of football helmets and skulls on display for passing tourists.
Combination of football helmets and skulls on display for passing tourists.
Bright piles of tie-dye shirts for sale on Embarcadero sidewalk.
Bright piles of tie-dye shirts for sale on Embarcadero sidewalk.
Whiskery, crazy, colorful faces painted on palm fronds.
Whiskery, crazy, colorful faces painted on palm fronds.