Shadows and Petals art debuts in Balboa Park.

Two local artists were setting up a new exhibition called Shadows and Petals today. I saw them at work hanging selected pieces in Gallery 21 of Balboa Park’s Spanish Village Art Center.

Both Katarina Keane (@collagebykat) and Kimberly Brunetto (@brunettokim) were very nice, answering a few questions and allowing me to take photographs. They work in collage and mixed media. All of their pieces on display are for sale.

Kimberly describes her mixed media work as abstract expressionism. To me, her pieces convey subtle emotion. Shifts in form and color on certain canvases are like movement through time, through life. Contrasts on canvases can tug at curious eyes and suggest deeper things–an inner life.

She has written: “For me, a shadow is an unrealized part of ourselves that calls to us with longing . . . The petals represent what happens when we finally listen…”

Katarina told me her colorful works have a narrative quality. I noticed many of her collages include written words, almost like poetry. The images and words seem to tell a visual story about a life or a life experience.

Many of her pieces show flowers and vessels. They suggest an inner beauty, or potential beauty, that we all possess.

That’s the way I saw it.

Why don’t you swing by Spanish Village in Balboa Park and experience all this beautiful, subtle art for yourself?

Shadows and Petals will be exhibited in Gallery 21 through October 5, 2026.

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Supernatural yōkai exhibit in Balboa Park!

Red Namahage, by artist Alex Wu.

Yōkai are supernatural beings and spirits from Japanese folklore, and they’ve gathered in San Diego’s Balboa Park!

Yōkai: Stories and Imagination is a community art exhibit now showing at the Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum.

Artists were invited to submit their interpretation of Japanese yokai for this exhibition. These original works can be viewed in both the Upper Garden Gallery and the Lower Garden’s Inamori Pavilion.

Yōkai include shapeshifters, ghosts, demons, and tricksters. They can be mischievous, helpful, or malevolent, often appearing as animal-like figures, possessed objects, or humanoids. They embody the mysterious and uncanny aspects of nature and human emotions.

Check out a few examples that I photographed.

I’ve always enjoyed this type of artwork. It can be wild, weird, fierce and unsettling. Mysterious forces in our world are often portrayed in human or animal form–familiar figures that we emotionally understand.

It would be interesting to compare yokai to deities and characters from the mythologies of other cultures.

The Spider’s Thread, by artist Joshua Benz.
Oiwa, by artist Tomi Tate.
Hōnengame, by artist Hunter/Moon Hunter Tattoo.
You Can’t Escape Gashadokuro, by artist Chris Rogers.

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Beautiful heron at Japanese Friendship Garden!

Was it a good omen?

A Great Blue Heron was visiting Balboa Park’s amazing Japanese Friendship Garden today.

The graceful bird stood patiently on a rock in the Lower Garden, above silvery water filled with colorful koi, the subject of countless photographs.

As I departed, I asked a friendly person who works at the garden if the heron might be a good omen.

“It’s eating our fish!” he replied.

But hunting so beautifully…

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Día de Muertos altar created at Mingei Museum.

A beautiful Dia de Los Muertos altar (ofrenda) was created today for the large display case outside the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park.

This particular altar, containing marigolds and other traditional spiritual symbols, is dedicated to beloved athletes who’ve passed away, including Tony Gwynn and Junior Seau.

The altar was created by members of the Sherman Heights Community Center, whose own displays at the community center will open to the public on October 15th.

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LEGO brick train exhibit coming to San Diego!

In November a cool new exhibit is coming to the San Diego Model Railroad Museum in Balboa Park!

The exhibit will be celebrating 60 years of powered LEGO trains!

I learned about the upcoming exhibit today during my visit to the museum. Michael was demonstrating a portion of what will be an operating train layout, built mostly of LEGO bricks!

Members of the San Diego LEGO User Group will be working on the layout, which will open just in time for the holidays. You know it’s going to be awesome!

Check out what Michael showed me!

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Terrifying clown monster snags victim in Balboa Park!

Yikes!

I was walking home through Balboa Park this afternoon when I was suddenly confronted by a terrifying clown-spider monster thing. It had grabbed hold of a poor victim in a yellow slicker!

Did I run for it?

No.

The horrifying creature (Pennywise?) was not only safely contained by a construction fence, but I realized it was merely a prop being set up for the Haunted Trail, a popular outdoor “haunted house” attraction built every year for Halloween on Balboa Park’s West Mesa.

On such a warm, sunny day, it’s hard to believe summer is almost over. Halloween will be here before you know it!

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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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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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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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Animals tracks lead away from San Diego Zoo!

A pathway that connects the San Diego Zoo to the rest of Balboa Park is imprinted with all sorts of different animal tracks.

Can you identify the wildlife that is represented?

This morning I walked south from the zoo toward the heart of Balboa Park.

My second-to-last photograph provides one hint!

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