Tag: artists

A fun peek into Gaslamp shop windows!

Two humorous surfing signs in the window of San Diego Trading Company Gaslamp.
Two humorous surfing signs in window of San Diego Trading Company.

I like to peek into shop windows whenever I walk through the Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego. Many of the windows are sure to have displays that are amusing or eye-catching.

Enjoy these fun photos from this morning!

A t-shirt proclaims Being Normal is Boring in the window of It's Sugar.
T-shirt proclaims Being Normal is Boring in window of IT’SUGAR Candy Store.
A wine bottle has been converted into a salty sea captain at the Michael J Wolf Fine Arts gallery.
A wine bottle has been converted into a salty sea captain at the Michael J Wolf Fine Arts gallery.
A dish towel at Bubbles Boutique reminds everyone to be nice to your kids--they choose your nursing home.
A dish towel at Bubbles Boutique reminds everyone to be nice to your kids–they choose your nursing home.
Frida Kahlo socks in the window of Find Your Feet.
Frida Kahlo socks in the window of Find Your Feet. Viva La Vida!
Art by prolific local muralist Gloria Muriel in the window of Sparks Gallery.
Art by prolific local muralist Gloria Muriel in the window of Sparks Gallery.

…

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!

More cool art found walking around La Jolla!

Expecting to Fly (for the Zeros), Fred Tomaselli, 2013.
Expecting to Fly (for the Zeros), Fred Tomaselli, 2013.

You might remember I posted photos of street art and many of the Murals of La Jolla a couple years ago. You can see all of that fun artwork by clicking here. Sadly, a couple of those murals no longer exist.

My adventure today included passing by even more public art murals, plus some beautiful and inspirational stuff that I found while journeying down sidewalks.

I snapped a great map and legend of the Murals of La Jolla in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego on Prospect Street, which is undergoing a renovation. To see the location of all the current murals, which include some that I photographed in that earlier blog post, click the map below and it will enlarge.

Map and legend that you can use to locate the many amazing Murals of La Jolla.
Map and legend that you can use to locate the many amazing Murals of La Jolla.
Playing La Jolla (for all it's worth), Terry Allen, 2015.
Playing La Jolla (for all it’s worth), Terry Allen, 2015.
Suns, Victoria Fu and Byron Kim, 2016.
Suns, Victoria Fu and Byron Kim, 2016.
Man, Myth and Magic, Steven Hull, 2017.
Man, Myth and Magic, Steven Hull, 2017.
Art near entrance of Le Chauvinist depicts three kids at the Lincoln Memorial.
Art near entrance of Le Chauvinist depicts three kids at the Lincoln Memorial.
A fish etched in the concrete sidewalk near El Pescador Fish Market!
A fish etched in the concrete sidewalk near El Pescador Fish Market!
Angel wings on a gate.
Angel wings on a gate.
One of the most stunning gates I've ever seen. Golden leaves and blooms seem to grow through it.
One of the most stunning gates I’ve ever seen. Shining golden leaves and blooms seem to grow through it.
By the sidewalk. Joan Goldstein Graf and Alan Goldstein. Their bench.
By the sidewalk… Joan Goldstein Graf and Alan Goldstein. Their bench.
Painted flowers near the roof of Salvage Salon.
Painted flowers near the roof of Salvage Salon.
Come into my garden so my flowers can meet you.
Come into my garden so my flowers can meet you.
A very cool mural in the alley next to the Grater grilled cheese shop in La Jolla.
A very cool mural in the alley next to the Grater grilled cheese shop in La Jolla.
It appears Mona Lisa has a taste for grilled cheese sandwiches!
It appears Mona Lisa has a taste for grilled cheese sandwiches!

…

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 phone or 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 photos of Pacific Soul at night!

Here are some very cool photos!

Early this morning, while it was still dark, I moved curiously around (and inside) the new Jaume Plensa sculpture Pacific Soul in downtown San Diego. Bright lights shining up from beneath the sculpture give its hollow but extremely complex form weird substance. Every angle fascinated my eyes.

If you’d like to learn more about this amazing public art, which now stands at the corner of Broadway and Pacific Highway near the Embarcadero, visit my original blog post, where several months ago, over the period of several days, I documented Pacific Soul’s installation. In that post I also provided some information about Jaume Plensa, who is a world-renowned artist from Spain.

…

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!

Art from different colleges across San Diego.

Visitors to the gallery on the 9th floor of the downtown San Diego Central Library look at some fascinating artwork.
Visitors to the gallery on the 9th floor of the downtown San Diego Central Library look at some fascinating artwork.

A fantastic exhibition is now open free to the public in the 9th floor gallery at San Diego’s Central Library. You Are Here features work from art students and professors at 13 different institutions of higher education around San Diego County.

Not only is this exhibition an opportunity for talented artists to show their creative work in public, but visitors to the Central Library can learn a little about each school’s unique art program.

I took photos of some of the artwork. Please swing on by–you’ll be impressed by the quality of these imaginative, evocative pieces. You Are Here runs through May 6, 2018.

You Are Here, a special exhibition in the Central Library's gallery, collects the work of 26 artists from 13 different higher education art departments across San Diego.
You Are Here, a special exhibition in the Central Library’s gallery, collects the work of 26 artists from 13 different higher education art departments across San Diego.
Diverse examples of thought-inducing visual art attract curious eyes.
Diverse examples of thought-inducing visual art attract curious eyes.
Space Ships, Wendell M. Kling, Professor of Art, San Diego Mesa College, 2013-present.
Space Ships, Wendell M. Kling, Professor of Art, San Diego Mesa College, 2013-present.
Hubcap Milagro for Chunky, David Avalos, Professor of Visual Arts, California State University San Marcos, 2011.
Hubcap Milagro for Chunky, David Avalos, Professor of Visual Arts, California State University San Marcos, 2011.
Untitled, Monique Van Genderen, Associate Professor of Art, UC San Diego, 2017.
Untitled, Monique Van Genderen, Associate Professor of Art, UC San Diego, 2017.
Pink Cactus Moon Rock, Corina Bilandzija, Student, Palomar College, 2017.
Pink Cactus Moon Rock, Corina Bilandzija, Student, Palomar College, 2017.
Warm Lights, Niki Ito, International Student, San Diego City College, 2017.
Warm Lights, Niki Ito, International Student, San Diego City College, 2017.
Hair, Larissa Lopez, Past Student, Cuyamaca Community College, 2017.
Hair, Larissa Lopez, Past Student, Cuyamaca Community College, 2017.
Ophelia, Hanna Hunter, Student, San Diego Miramar College, 2016.
Ophelia, Hanna Hunter, Student, San Diego Miramar College, 2016.

…

Do you enjoy discovering new things? I do! My camera is always ready during my long walks around San Diego!

Please join me on Facebook or Twitter!

New public artwork at Bayside Fire Station!

Public artwork is being installed outside the new City of San Diego Bayside Fire Station No. 2, at the corner of Cedar Avenue and Pacific Highway
Public artwork is being installed outside the new City of San Diego Bayside Fire Station No. 2, at the corner of Cedar Street and Pacific Highway

Some cool public artwork is rising at the corner of Cedar Street and Pacific Highway, right next to the new Bayside Fire Station No. 2 in Little Italy!

For the past couple weeks I’ve been watching the unusual sculpture slowly grow, like flowers and vines sprouting from a base of urban concrete. And, according to what I’ve read, that’s exactly the effect that’s intended. The artists Ingram Ober, Marisól Rendón-Ober and Chuck Moffit are known for their unusual, thought-provoking creations, which are often sublime or humorous. The old Victrola horn-like brass elements of the sculpture will broadcast gentle music, which will contrast with the noise of the nearby streets and sudden fire engine sirens.

I can’t wait to see (and listen to) this artwork when it is completed!

Construction of the Bayside Fire Station No. 2 appears to be almost complete.
Construction of the new Bayside Fire Station No. 2 appears to be almost complete.
Twisting metal structures rise up like fire hoses.
Twisting metal structures rise up like whipping fire hoses.
Gentle music will play out of the brass trumpet-like forms.
Gentle music will play out of the brass trumpet-like forms.
A red vine seems to be growing around those two horns! This might make a nice place to sit when finished.
A red vine seems to be growing around those two horns! This might make a nice place to sit when finished.
When completed, this new public art should to be pretty interesting!
When completed, this new public art should to be pretty interesting!
Cool art seems to be growing out the sidewalk in front of the new Bayside Fire Station in San Diego!
Cool art seems to be growing out the sidewalk in front of the new Bayside Fire Station in San Diego!

…

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!

Six amazing murals in front of the Museum of Art!

Close up of a colorful mural now on display in front of the San Diego Museum of Art.
Close up of a colorful mural now on display in front of the San Diego Museum of Art.

Many extraordinary artists make San Diego their home. They help our city sparkle with culture and energy.

Amazing works by distinguished local muralists are now on display in Balboa Park, directly in front of the San Diego Museum of Art.

The six colorful murals, painted live a couple weeks ago, are inspired by a world-class exhibition now running inside the museum. Modern Masters from Latin America: The Pérez Simón Collection is an exhibition of modern Latin masterpieces that no art lover should miss. I blogged about it here.  Go soon. It will be closing in two weeks.

I don’t know how long these murals will be on display outdoors in front of the museum, so swing by Balboa Park soon to enjoy them in person!

To see the murals of Chicano Park, you can click here.

Visitors to Balboa Park check out a couple of the murals temporarily on display in the Plaza de Panama.
Visitors to Balboa Park check out a couple of the murals temporarily on display in the Plaza de Panama.
Sign in front of the San Diego Museum of Art explains the outdoor Local Latin American Masters exhibition. Six murals were painted live in front of the museum.
Sign in front of the San Diego Museum of Art explains the outdoor Local Latin American Masters exhibition. Six murals were painted live in front of the museum.
Art by Victor Ochoa. His work has been widely published. He was one of the original muralists to work in Chicano Park.
Art by Victor Ochoa. His work has been widely published. He was one of the original muralists to work in Chicano Park.
Art by Carmen Kalo. She is a San Diego native who actively leads Chicano Park tours, builds social awareness, and works with at-risk youth and the homeless.
Art by Carmen Kalo. She is a San Diego native who actively leads Chicano Park tours, builds social awareness, and works with at-risk youth and the homeless.
Art by Hector Villegas. He is a teacher who has painted three murals at Chicano Park.
Art by Hector Villegas. He is a teacher who has painted three murals at Chicano Park.
Art by Cesar Castañeda. He owns the Chicano Art Gallery in Barrio Logan.
Art by Cesar Castañeda. He owns the Chicano Art Gallery in Barrio Logan.
Art by Stephanie Cecilia Cervantes. A painter first inspired by Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night, she was a muralist during Chicano Park's 2011 restoration project.
Art by Stephanie Cecilia Cervantes. A painter first inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night, she was a muralist during Chicano Park’s 2011 restoration project.
Protecting Our Water and Earth by Mario Torero. He is an artivist and founding member of the Centro Cultural de la Raza in Balboa Park.
Protecting Our Water and Earth by Mario Torero. He is an artivist and founding member of the Centro Cultural de la Raza in Balboa Park.
Amazing artwork that the public can see close up and in natural sunlight, not unlike the fantastic murals of Chicano Park!
Amazing artwork that the public can see close up and in natural sunlight, just like the many fantastic murals of Chicano Park!

…

Today I published a new short story. It’s titled One Magic Bubble. I suppose the short piece is about life.

Curious? You can read it here!

A crazy handstand at the edge of a rooftop!

A daring man does a one-armed handstand at the edge of a high roof!
A daring man does a one-armed handstand on the edge of a high roof!

I had to do a double take during my walk through Coronado yesterday. A man was doing a crazy one-armed handstand up on the Community Center’s rooftop!

After my initial surprise, I realized the man was actually an eye-catching sculpture. Handstand was created by artist Daniel Stern in 2010 and installed atop the building in 2012.

Does the name Daniel Stern ring a bell? The sculptor is also a prolific, well known actor! He’s probably best known for his role as one of the thieves in Home Alone!

I love it!

A surprising sculpture on top of the City of Coronado Community Center turns heads!
A surprising sculpture on top of the City of Coronado Community Center turns heads!
Handstand, 2010, a sculpture by artist Daniel Stern, became part of the City of Coronado Public Art Collection in 2012.
Handstand, 2010, a sculpture by artist Daniel Stern, became part of the City of Coronado Public Art Collection in 2012.
A crazy handstand at the edge of a Coronado rooftop!
A crazy handstand at the edge of a Coronado rooftop!

…

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!

Murals in Little Italy show history of tuna fishing.

An early 1900's Italian fishing boat looking for tuna off the coast of San Diego.
An early 1900’s Italian fishing boat looking for tuna off the coast of San Diego.

Some new murals have appeared in Little Italy on a construction site fence along Kettner Boulevard, between Beech Street and Cedar Street. The artwork, created by Elisabeth Sullivan, depicts the history of tuna fishing in San Diego.

The series of images tell the story of an industry that once prospered in our city, and that shaped the colorful downtown neighborhood of Little Italy.

Italian and Portuguese fishermen bamboo pole fishing at the peak of the industry in the late 1920's.
Italian and Portuguese fishermen bamboo pole fishing at the peak of the industry in the late 1920’s.
After a lengthy fishing expedition these tuna clippers head home with their catch.
After a lengthy fishing expedition these tuna clippers head home with their catch.
Fishing boats docked for the night in San Diego Harbor after unloading their catch.
Fishing boats docked for the night in San Diego Harbor after unloading their catch.
Women of Little Italy fishing families work to remove hooks, stretch dry and mend the nets.
Women of Little Italy fishing families work to remove hooks, stretch dry and mend the nets.
The tuna is unloaded at the wharf and delivered to San Diego fish markets and canneries.
The tuna is unloaded at the wharf and delivered to San Diego fish markets and canneries.
During World War II many tuna clippers were converted to Yacht Patrols by the U.S. Navy.
During World War II many tuna clippers were converted to Yacht Patrols by the U.S. Navy.
In the late 1950's the efficient modern purse seiner began replacing most of the bait boats.
In the late 1950’s the efficient modern purse seiner began replacing most of the bait boats.
The history of tuna fishing in San Diego can be observed on a series of new murals in Little Italy!
The history of tuna fishing in San Diego can now be observed on a series of beautiful murals in Little Italy!

…

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!

Super cool street art in City Heights!

One side of a electrical box on University Avenue at Interstate 805. This particular art resembles other examples I once photographed in National City.
One side of an electrical box on University Avenue at Interstate 805. This particular art closely resembles other examples I once photographed in National City.

Check out a whole bunch of super cool photos! All this awesome street art was encountered during a short walk in City Heights.

I began on University Avenue near I-805, walking east along the sidewalk on the south side. Then I crossed at 35th Street and headed back west down the sidewalk on University Avenue’s north side.

Enjoy!

A second side. Weird humanoid figures seem composed of fluid ink.
Another side of the same box. Weird humanoid figures seem composed of fluid ink.
Urban art that seems both ancient and futuristic. Strange geometric patterns in these figures appear symbolic.
Urban artwork that seems both ancient and futuristic. Strange geometric patterns in these figures appear symbolic.
The fourth side of the same box.
The fourth side of the box.
Cool mural in City Heights on the side of a gallery. Journey Within Through the Sea of Soul, by Celeste Byers and Aaron Glasson, depicts the gallery owner riding a Chihuahua ship on a distant planet upstream into herself!
Cool mural in City Heights on the side of the Teros Gallery. Journey Within Through the Sea of Soul, by Celeste Byers and Aaron Glasson, depicts the gallery owner riding a Chihuahua ship on a distant planet upstream into herself!
Walking east down University Avenue I spied more street art on electrical boxes.
Walking east down University Avenue I spied more street art on electrical boxes.
A young girl, and a young boy with binoculars.
A young girl, and a young boy with binoculars.
A man and small child together ride a motorcycle.
A man and small child together ride a motorcycle.
A face looks upward.
A face looks upward.
Another young face, and a sitting girl.
Another young face, and a sitting girl reaching for what appears to be a pencil.
This trash can at a bus stop was brightly decorated by a street artist.
This trash can at a bus stop was brightly decorated by a street artist.
More fun street art, near the corner of University Avenue and 35th Street.
More fun street art, near the corner of University Avenue and 35th Street.
A funny dog appears to be assailed by a crazy bird.
A funny dog appears to be assailed by a crazy bird.
More humorous faces and birds.
More humorous faces and birds.
I've crossed the street and am heading back west. I noticed this colorful tower to the south features references to both City Heights and Cherokee Point, a neighborhood south of University Avenue.
I’ve crossed the street and am heading back west. I noticed this colorful tower to the south features references to both City Heights and Cherokee Point, a neighborhood south of University Avenue.
Before crossing this street I spied this fun street mural near another bus stop.
Before crossing the street I spied this fun street mural near another bus stop.
Now that I'm walking next to it, I can really enjoy this sun and pink flamingo. Both are wearing sunglasses. By artist Gilly Bee, created for #TheAvenueMuralProject.
Now that I’m walking next to it, I can really enjoy this sun and pink flamingo. Both are wearing sunglasses. By artist Gilly Bee, created for #TheAvenueMuralProject.
I found another cool mural on the side of The Kings Barbershop.
I found another super cool mural on the side of The Kings Barbershop.
The front of The Kings Barbershop was painted by DyseOne and Hasler.
The front of The Kings Barbershop was painted by DyseOne and Hasler.
A very colorful mural on University Avenue in City Heights! I believe this spray paint art is fairly new.
A very colorful mural on University Avenue in City Heights! I believe this bold spray paint art is fairly new.
It's the Tooth Fairy on the side of North Park Dental! By artist Sand One, a Latina street artist from East Los Angeles.
It’s the Tooth Fairy on the wall of North Park Dental! By artist Sand One, a Latina street artist from East Los Angeles.

…

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!

Light, Rock and Water create color downtown!

A cool prism wall sculpture, beneath reflections of nearby downtown buildings.
A cool prism wall sculpture, beneath reflections of nearby downtown buildings.

Walk or drive in downtown San Diego past the corner of Broadway and Front Street, and you might glimpse rainbow colors splashed every which way!

For more than thirty years, a very cool sculpture has added surprising color and life to the public plaza at the entrance to 101 West Broadway. Titled Light, Rock and Water, the prism wall and accompanying elements were created by renowned New York artist Charles Ross. According to a small plaque, Ross has described his work as “cinematic in nature, seen as a sequence of spectrum images, some muted, some bright, but not all visible from any single vantage.”

I recently approached this public artwork and walked slowly all around it.

Here are some photos…

Walking along the public plaza near the corner of Broadway and Front Street in San Diego.
Walking along the public plaza near the corner of Broadway and Front Street in San Diego.
This fantastic sculpture at 101 West Broadway attracts curious eyes with its changing prismatic colors.
This fantastic sculpture at 101 West Broadway attracts curious eyes with its changing prismatic colors.
Light, Rock and Water, by Charles Ross, 1985. This is a prism wall environment with elements of light, rock and water. The renowned New York artist's first outdoor sculpture.
Light, Rock and Water, by Charles Ross, 1985. This is a prism wall environment with elements of light, rock and water. The renowned New York artist’s first outdoor sculpture.
Light reflecting from and passing through the prism wall reflects from a basin of water.
Light reflecting from and passing through the prism wall reflects from a basin of water.
A cool optical sculpture which includes various natural physical elements.
A cool optical sculpture which includes various natural physical elements.
The colors of the visible spectrum appear like linear rainbows at one's feet near this surprising sculpture.
The colors of the visible spectrum appear like linear rainbows at one’s feet near this surprising sculpture.
A colorful work of public art in downtown San Diego!
A colorful work of public art in downtown San Diego!

…

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!