Tag: art

A rooster, a palm tree, and an Art Garden.

I’m not sure when The Judy McDonald Art Garden officially debuted. When I visited Liberty Station in Point Loma last week, I noted the outdoor space (outside Dick Laub NTC Command Center, between Building 200 and Building 201) had a name that I previously hadn’t seen. I also noticed two relatively new works of art in the garden!

I know nothing about the colorful rooster mosaic sculpture. If you know more about it, please leave a comment.

The next photo is of Judy’s Palm/Only Connect, a mural painted by San Diego artist Perry Vásquez back in April.

The palm tree in this public art represents the spirit of inclusiveness, optimism and the ability to bend without breaking. For a good description and explanation, plus photographs of the mural being painted, click here.

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Anime San Diego debuts at convention center!

The popularity of anime has absolutely exploded in recent years. Series like One Piece, Cowboy Bebop, My Hero Academia, Dragon Ball, Pokémon, Naruto, Attack on Titan, Chainsaw Man, Demon Slayer and many others have become pop culture mainstays in America and around the world.

This growing popularity has spawned a variety of events that attract anime fans. One completely new event, debuting in 2026, is Anime San Diego. It’s being held this weekend at the San Diego Convention Center, the famous home of Comic-Con.

I was able to visit Anime San Diego on Saturday morning!

In addition to hundreds of vendors, artists and celebrity guests (many voice actors), the convention features an arcade zone, gaming tournaments, karaoke, live music, industry and fan panels, cosplay meetups, itasha cars, cool merch, giveaways, and just a whole lot of fun!

I was surprised at how many fans showed up and how awesome it all is! Not bad for their first year!

Check out some photos of the action!

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Community art tiles on La Mesa District Sign!

La Mesa has completed their landmark archway sign and it’s amazing!

Last May I noted how the La Mesa Downtown District sign was under construction. When I walked past the completed project a few days ago, I was absolutely wowed. Look at the hundreds of tiles painted by members of the La Mesa community!

I had to walk around both supporting columns to enjoy the many colorful tiles. Some had inspirational messages. All were painted by resident families, kids, local organizations and businesses…

I just snapped photos at random as I perused the fun, artistic tiles…

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Local artist Paul Strahm paints in Pacific Beach!

Paul Strahm, accomplished local plein air painter, was doing his thing in Pacific Beach today. I ran into him by the boardwalk south of Crystal Pier. He was smiling as usual.

I learned that one of his beach paintings is now on display at the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park–part of their Changing Terrain exhibition. He has another piece, too, now on display at the Oceanside Museum of Art.

On my way home I swung by the San Diego History Center to check out his painting exhibited there. Here it is…

Mission Beach, 2024, Paul Strahm. Oil on canvas.

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The cool Redemption Ink mural in Pacific Beach.

Walking down Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach this morning, I spied this cool mural at the Redemption Ink San Diego tattoo parlor.

This is the same storefront where Funhouse Tattoo was located years ago. Another cool mural was painted in the same place, which you can see here.

This latest mural was created by Beth Emmerich and @petecasodesigns.

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Sea Lion sculptures to raise awareness in San Diego!

Is that a sea lion on a rock in the middle of Balboa Park’s Spanish Village?

No, it’s a life-size sea lion sculpture among other works of art at the San Diego Sculptors Guild! It’s the first of many more sea lion sculptures to come!

Sergey Gornushkin, President of the San Diego Sculptors Guild, is the creator. He’s part of a project that includes the San Diego chapter of the Sierra Club and the Seal Society of San Diego. The goal: raise awareness concerning the protection of sea lions on our coast.

What is the plan? Sergey explained that his Whale of a Tale sculpture presently in the middle of the Spanish Village Art Center patio will soon be replaced by this sea lion. Then, eventually, a mold will be made of this sculpture, and 10 to 20 additional sea lions will be cast.

Those additional sea lions will be artistically painted by school children and artists from around the region, then placed in and around La Jolla, where there’s a great deal of concern about human encroachment on the sea lion population.

When I took photos today I learned this sea lion sculpture isn’t quite finished. But take a look. It’s already incredible!

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Inspired art exhibit at Liberty Station!

Artist: Weston Riffle.

You might enjoy the artwork now on display in the Dick Laub Command Center Gallery at Liberty Station. The current exhibition is titled Inspired.

Works by seven Liberty Station based artists hang in the lobby of the NTC Dick Laub Command Center. If you are interested in a particular piece, all are for sale. Swing by the studios of more than 40 artists in the nearby barracks buildings, and you can find even more!

It seems every time I walk in Point Loma through Liberty Station, I discover new art! More blog posts from my most recent visit are upcoming!

The Inspired exhibition is open Monday through Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm, through October 3, 2026.

Some of what you’ll see:

Artist: Chakib Bouhdary.
Artist: Katerina Husar-Lazarova.
Artist: Colleen Veltz.
Artist: Lauren LeVieux.

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Art benches inside Liberty Station’s Dance Place!

Artist: Alicia Hourican, Shanna Little.

Many years ago I shared photos of art benches scattered about Liberty Station. See those by clicking here.

Today I happened to walk through the Dorothea Laub Dance Place building at Liberty Station. What did I discover? Seven more artistically painted benches!

I actually found eight, but there was one that I had photographed previously (it must have been subsequently moved into the Dance Place.) I won’t include it in this blog post.

These seven colorfully painted benches include artist names. So read the captions.

Artist: Morse High School.
Artist: Jennifer Peterson.
Artist: Viviana Lombrozo.
Artist: Alfred Ventura.
Artist: Blair Thornley.
Artist: Elizabeth Andrews Zaikowski.

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Star Wars exhibit coming to Liberty Station!

I discovered something cool today while walking through Liberty Station in Point Loma. Pisano Artistry, located in a building adjacent to the Dick Laub NTC Command Center, will soon have a Star Wars exhibit!

I learned the fun news while peeking through the window of artist Joe Pisano’s gallery.

You’ve seen Joe Pisano’s unique and patriotic drywall screw art on Cool San Diego Sights previously. Here and here and here.

I haven’t spoken to him about it, but it definitely appears that he’s a Star Wars fan.

Can’t wait to see it!

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Tlaxcala art and more at House of Mexico!

Tlaxcala, the smallest state in Mexico, located in east-central Mexico, is known in part for its agriculture. So it’s no surprise that much of Tlaxcala’s traditional art and crafts originate as seeds.

Visitors to Balboa Park’s International Cottages can see this in a newly installed exhibit. The House of Mexico’s cottage is now filled with beautiful objects that promote Tlaxcala!

I stopped by today and was wowed by the art and crafts on display!

Should you step into the cottage when it’s open on weekends, you’ll see small mosaic murals made of different colored seeds. You’ll see necklaces made of dried corn. You’ll see beautiful crafts made of plant fibers.

Here’s a fun fact! Did you know that Tlaxcala’s name comes from the native Nahuatl word tlaxcalli, which means tortillas? At least 12 heirloom varieties of corn are grown in Tlaxcala.

The Mexican state is also famous for its traditional wool and cotton weaving.

What else did I learn? There’s a Tlaxcala Firefly Sanctuary. During peak Summer, millions of endemic fireflies turn the mountain woods into a glowing fairytale-like nighttime spectacle!

In forever amazing Balboa Park, there’s always something new and interesting to learn!

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