Some bold pop culture art inside a window. I spotted these on Ninth Avenue in East Village.
The past few days, while walking along sidewalks in downtown San Diego, I’ve photographed all sorts of cool artwork. Some of the art is relatively new. Some of it, as you’ll see, is derived from or influenced by the popular culture.
Which reminds me! This year I’ll be covering San Diego Comic-Con again! I’m taking a week off from work, and because I live downtown I should be able to get lots of photos of cosplay, special exhibitions, building and trolley wraps, fun offsite events . . . and hopefully some unexpected surprises!
I can’t wait!
More bold art on Ninth Avenue. A green fiendish creature awaits those who might venture into Suite 102.A face painted by VISUAL on a transformer box. I photographed this (and the following two boxes) while walking down A Street.Circle around these two utility boxes and you’ll read the words: Create Future.Beautiful glasswork above the entrance of Sidiropoulos Law Firm on Sixth Avenue depicts blind Justice holding her scales.Ornamentation above the front door of the historical McClintock Storage Warehouse building on Kettner Boulevard.All sorts of amusing graphics decorate the windows of the restaurant AAHARN by Koon Thai.William Dorsett near the USS Midway created some fun spray paint Pokémon artwork!Marvin the Martian inside the front door of Funko South. The office is located on Market Street, and has served as Funko’s Pop! Up Shop during San Diego Comic-Con.Colorful art by Kelsey Montague in the courtyard of The Headquarters. People can take photos of themselves wearing ocean-themed wings!A super cool mural on the east side of Pokez Mexican Restaurant. A few years back different spray paint art was on this wall, which I also photographed!
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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 army of life-size Japanese kokeshi fill the James E. Watts Studio in downtown San Diego.
I had an utterly amazing experience today.
I was walking through downtown San Diego, along Seventh Avenue, when I noticed a small table saw out on the sidewalk. It was set up in front of an unmarked door–one that I’ve passed many times over the years. When I peered through the open door my eyes nearly popped out of my head!
Through that mysterious door I saw a wonderland!
A friendly person told me that I might step inside. That very cool, funny and interesting guy was James E. Watts, a local artist who has been creating unique works of imagination for decades in San Diego. His pieces have appeared in a variety of exhibitions and at important museums, including both the San Diego Museum of Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.
Why the table saw? James Watts was just beginning a new sculpture of Quasimodo, and wooden blocks would be used to form the interior structure. Thin aluminum sheets nailed to the surface would produce the sculpture’s skin.
As you can see from the above photograph, his studio is dominated by a series of these large sculptures. They are based upon Japanese kokeshi, and his fun, symbolic pieces represent all sorts of characters from literature and history. He showed me a female Atlas, Don Quixote (with two small horses), Prometheus, Pandora, Jonah and Leviathan, and Joan of Arc. The humorous, collage-like skins were originally lunchboxes, signs, cans and other bits of colorful aluminum.
Another cool piece he showed me appears to be a combination of the Shroud of Turin, a horizontal religious shrine, and that wacky game Operation. Human anatomy is partitioned. Old age is contemplated. Bones fill box-like compartments. Colorful foam dots and dashes spell out a message in Morse code around the perimeter. The word BEAUTIFUL appears beneath the skull. (If you decipher the Morse code message, please leave a comment!)
And so I found myself standing in the middle of a fantasy world turning my eyes every which way. Rampant creativity jammed every wall, crammed every corner, was stacked high upon the floor. I could have happily lingered in that extraordinary studio all day long.
Thanks to James Watts for showing me around his artistic playground! There’s a special, little-known nook in the heart of San Diego, where one man’s imagination produces great treasures, and now I recognize the door!
James Watts near some artwork in progress. The wood blocks will fill the interior of a hunchbacked Quasimodo. I was told a bell might be placed atop the literary character’s head!On the left a female Atlas holds up the world. To the right Don Quixote appears ready to tilt at windmills.Many nudes also decorate the walls of the art gallery. They are done in various styles, reflecting famous painters of the past.James Watts opens up a brain pan to reveal . . . a brain!So much amazing, cool artwork that I could barely take it all in.Like a playground for a creator whose imagination seems to have no limits.I was told this abstract piece represents that brave person who stood in front of the tanks at Tiananmen Square.A playful piece that has emerged from the artist’s contemplation of aging. Those colorful dots and dashes form a mysterious Morse code message!
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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!
Small sea creatures made of ceramic swim about a tile mosaic bench at a bus station in Solana Beach.
Check out these colorful benches at a Solana Beach bus station on Pacific Coast Highway!
Passengers waiting for a North County Transit BREEZE bus at this station are surrounded by all sorts of sea creatures in the form of ceramic tiles. You can find the public art just north of Lomas Santa Fe Drive, on the west side of the Solana Beach train station. Bicyclists heading down Solana Beach’s Coastal Rail Trail can also pause to enjoy the artwork.
The fun mosaics, decorating 11 concrete benches, were created by artist Michelle Griffoul.
Here are photos from several benches that you might enjoy!
Two of eleven concrete benches decorated with images of marine life on Pacific Coast Highway, just north of Lomas Santa Fe Drive.A colorful fish, shell and seahorse among small blue tiles.Sit here and you can ride a dolphin that is swimming among abundant sea life.More fun public artwork at a Solana Beach bus station.Butterflies! It appears that not all of the images concern aquatic life.More fish in their watery element.More beautiful artwork at the bus station.A bike rider rolls past public art. This station is part of the Coastal Rail Trail in San Diego’s North County.So much sea life it seems we’re somewhere out in the nearby Pacific Ocean.A small school of beautiful fish swimming in blue tiles.Enjoy The Path.The sun is shining atop this bench.I’ve spotted a whale!
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A street mural in San Diego that features many famous faces. Martin Luther King, Jr. is joined by others who have worked to advance civil rights.
A long mural at the corner of 32nd Street and Imperial Avenue celebrates many of history’s most recognized civil rights leaders. Among them are those who have fought to empower the poor, advocates for democracy, human equality and social justice, and peacemakers.
Originally painted in 1986 to honor Martin Luther King, Jr., the mural was restored and augmented in 2002 by internationally renowned muralist and activist Mario Torero with the help of the local community. The mural now includes faces from around the world, as you can see in these photographs.
The colorful mural spans two walls near the border of two neighborhoods east of downtown San Diego: Logan Heights and Stockton. The images have again faded with time, but the idealism represented remains timeless and powerful.
The face of Cesar Chavez.The face of the Dalai Lama.The face of Óscar Romero.The face of Corazon Aquino.The face of Desmond Tutu.The face of Nelson Mandela.The face of Mother Teresa.The face of Chief Joseph.The face of Mahatma Gandhi.
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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!
Colorful public art is now located at Ruocco Park, right next to Tuna Harbor on San Diego Bay.
During my early evening walk along the Embarcadero today I noticed that four Urban Trees sculptures owned by the Port of San Diego have recently been moved from the front of the Cruise Ship Terminal to Ruocco Park.
I was taking photos of the play of sunlight on boats and buildings, and snapped a few pics of these public sculptures as I walked past them. At the time it didn’t occur to me that I’d devote tonight’s blog post to these images. But I like how they turned out!
Perhaps you recognize these sculptures. I’ve shown them two or three times over the years on Cool San Diego Sights. The Port of San Diego acquired a number of these Urban Trees sculptures for their public art collection, and they are moved about every so often. Urban Trees was a series of public art exhibitions along the Embarcadero years ago, before I began to blog.
Smiley face on a pedicab heads toward four Urban Trees just before sunset. These unique Port of San Diego public sculptures were recently moved from the Cruise Ship Terminal to Ruocco Park.Orange Tree, by artists Guy and Ellen Mayenobe, 2007. Originally exhibited on the Embarcadero during Urban Trees 4.Photo of late sunlight reflecting from section of A Different But Loving Pair, by artist Cecilia Stanford, 2005. Originally exhibited during Urban Trees 2.
For a more complete look at A Different But Loving Pair, click here.
A dog plays with someone near the base of Fish Tree, by artists Zbigniew Pingot and Toby Flores, from the Urban Trees 2 waterfront exhibition years ago.
Like crystals shining in the sun. Looking up at Tap Root and Growth, by artist Christopher Lee, originally exhibited during Urban Trees 3.
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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!
An Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train heads south, passing a cool mural titled Myths at Play, which can be seen just south of the Solana Beach station.
Yesterday I observed that a super cool mural overlooks the train tracks near the Solana Beach station. Before walking to Fiesta del Sol, I headed a couple blocks south on Pacific Coast Highway in order to take photos.
A little internet research revealed this colorful mural was painted by artist Lindu Prasekti. The building is the David Alan Collection gallery in the Cedros Avenue Design District. The giant mural painted on the building’s west side is titled Myths at Play. It appears to playfully incorporate designs and symbols representing primitive art.
A photo of the colorful Myths at Play mural, painted by Lindu Prasekti.
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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!
Piazza Pescatore is a beautiful place where neighbors can relax and mingle at the corner of Kettner Boulevard and Fir Street.
In Little Italy, at the corner of and Kettner Boulevard and Fir Street, you’ll find Piazza Pescatore. The small community gathering place features a bronze sculpture and beautiful fountain, and plaques that remember the history of the many hard-working tuna fishermen that inhabited this San Diego neighborhood decades ago.
The artists who created this cool public artwork are sculptor Gregory Reade and mosaic artist Kim Emerson.
A bronze sculpture of a tuna fishermen holding his catch. Piazza Pescatore was donated by Bumble Bee Seafoods, which is headquartered in San Diego.A plaque honors the men and women of the tuna industry who helped build San Diego’s Little Italy.More plaques at Piazza Pescatore honor those who made San Diego the tuna capital of the world during much of the 20th century.A colorful circle of artwork on the nearby sidewalk shows women with baskets and bountiful fresh fish.
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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 sea lion greets people who walk down the sidewalk. Humorous street art on Fenton Parkway.
I’ve noticed an increase in the amount of street art along Fenton Parkway in Mission Valley. A variety of electrical boxes have been painted, and others appear to be works in progress.
There’s so much fun street art now, I figured I’d post some photos! These photographs were taken late today during a short walk between the trolley tracks and Friars Road.
Enjoy!
Another side of the same box, and another happy sea lion!This box appears to be a work in progress. One side has an elaborate moth completed.Surfer girl street art on another electrical box. She’s on her surfboard awaiting a perfect wave.A girl and dog overlooking the ocean at sunset.The ocean in this street art seems to be populated by all sorts of odd prehistoric creatures!This fun scene was created by imaginative art teacher Anna Farrell.Another colorful side and another toothy monster.A cool bird of prey painted by artist Rachel Dipasupil Alberto. I believe it might be an osprey.These prickly pears seem to be growing beneath the nearby shopping mall’s palm trees!A very cool eagle or hawk near the intersection of Fenton Parkway and Friars Road.A stunning image on another side of the same box. Thousands of motorists enjoy seeing this beautiful artwork as they drive east down busy Friars Road.
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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!
People gather around chalk art created on boards for the 2018 Mission Federal ArtWalk in Little Italy.
Here come more cool photos that I promised you!
Half a dozen colorful works of chalk art were displayed at the 2018 Mission Federal ArtWalk in Little Italy. Piazza della Famiglia isn’t the ideal place to create chalk art, so the pieces were rendered on boards.
Every work of art was great! See for yourself!
Gold and Yellow Roses, chalk art by Cecelia Linayao.A colorful chalk art Salvador Dalí, by artist Chris Brake.A chalk art lion representing the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, created by Lorna Prijoles.Young child kisses a happy wrinkled woman. Heartwarming chalk art by Brenda Mora and Jessie Reyes.A striking chalk art face by Meg Canilang.Another superb chalk art piece by young local phenom Lidia Vasquez.Half a dozen beautiful works of chalk art could be seen in Piazza della Famiglia at the 2018 Mission Federal ArtWalk!
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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!
Hundreds of artists had their work out on the streets of Little Italy at the 2018 Mission Federal ArtWalk.
Early this afternoon I walked down from Cortez Hill to enjoy the 2018 Mission Federal ArtWalk in Little Italy. What fun!
Hundreds of artists had their colorful work out on display along several Little Italy streets. I enjoyed meandering about and letting my eyes feast on life wherever they happened to turn. I was happy to unexpectedly meet some people that I know. I also grabbed a tasty bratwurst with lots of onions and mustard!
Another perfect day in San Diego! Smiles, warm sunshine, an easy stretch of the legs, plus the treat of fantastic, inspiring art!
A crowd of art aficionados converge on San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood.The big annual Mission Federal ArtWalk is a time to relax, enjoy life, and feel some creative inspiration.Enjoying art, food and friendship.
Little Italy’s new Piazza della Famiglia featured a stage plus cool chalk art, which I’ll blog about shortly!Some of the artists were kicking back and talking to potential buyers. Others were concentrating at a canvas creating new work.Little Italy, in downtown San Diego, is a lively place where culture thrives.This guy broke a string as I walked up. He smiled for the camera anyway!People were invited to work on this interactive mural sponsored by Artist and Craftsman Supply.They also had a table nearby for anybody who’d like to create their own art!
More musical entertainment in Piazza Basilone.
Joy and creativity abound at the Mission Federal ArtWalk in 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!
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