Guitar music propels Flamenco dancers in Balboa Park’s Spanish Village.
This afternoon I enjoyed watching some amazing Flamenco dancing. Balboa Park’s colorful Spanish Village, the home to many artist studios, hosted the special event. As beautifully dressed lady Flamenco dancers performed for the public, local artists at easels painted away!
Flamenco dancing is fiery, stately and proud. Each dance and dancer glowed with unabashed human emotion. The audience learned a little about the nature of this Spanish folk dance, but I was so mesmerized I failed to jot down many notes. I remember that one dance was said to represent defiant joy, another a representation of pure, carefree womanhood.
The public was invited to watch local San Diego artists painting a performance by the La Paloma Flamenco Dance Company.Crowd shouts and claps as the whirling ladies move their limbs and tap feet with graceful, fluid, joyful abandon.The energetic Spanish folk dancing causes colorful fabric to fly and twirl like a gauzy dream.A range of powerful human emotion is transmitted to the audience during each fantastic Flamenco dance.A carefully watching artist has made a few sketches during the performance in Spanish Village.I don’t know how an artist can begin to capture the dynamism and detail of the colorful, kinetic dance!A local artist from Spanish Village in Balboa Park streaks color across a canvas. A skilled hand and eye produces the same bold living essence expressed by the dance.
People enter the Art of Comic-Con exhibit, opening today at the downtown San Diego Public Library.
Today a very special exhibition opened at the downtown library’s 9th floor gallery. The Art of Comic-Con, developed by Comic-Con International and the San Diego Public Library, contains a huge collection of original artwork used throughout the 45 year history of San Diego Comic-Con.
The exhibition runs through August 30 and should draw a crowd during Comic-Con week. During today’s two hour opening reception, super popular cartoonist Sergio Aragones was on hand to talk with fans and sign copies of his 40th anniversary Comic-Con cover. He was very friendly and spoke with everyone in line for a minute or two, always smiling and laughing and posing for the camera. He’s into his fourth decade of writing and drawing the adventures of the hilarious and very successful Groo the Wanderer!
Here are a bunch of photos! My small camera did its best in the dim light of the gallery…
Someone heading in to check out the gallery is wearing a 1997 Comic-Con International shirt.The Art of Comic-Con is a first ever museum exhibition consisting of original artwork used for past comic conventions.A cool mural composed of covers from past San Diego Comic-Con programs, plus other affiliated conventions.Past souvenir program covers feature many different superheroes and pop culture characters.A riot of fun images dazzled many visitors to the opening of this special exhibit.Close photo of part of the Comic-Con program book mural.I see Bart Simpson, a bunch of Marvel heroes, Star Wars characters, Balboa Park and much more.This part of the exhibit traces the history of the Comic-Con International logo and the development of the popular toucan mascot.Fun artwork that was used during the 40th anniversary of San Diego Comic-Con.The toucan is flapping around anticipating another Comic-Con!Someone checks out a display case containing an example of an Inkpot Award. These are presented to outstanding authors, artists and other creative luminaries every year during Comic-Con.I spotted Krypto the Superdog taking a nap among more enthusiastic human Comic-Con fans.Visitors check out original comic book art created for Comic-Con souvenir program books over the past 45 years.The Art of Comic-Con special exhibit contains original work from more than 60 notable cartoon and comic book artistsAll kinds of animals hang out in San Diego!Space alien asks Marmaduke for directions to Comics Con. It will be mere blocks from the Central Library! In a few weeks, I expect to see a few aliens walking around San Diego, too!I guess Jimmy Carter was having troubles during a past Comic-Con.Cartoonists of every stripe have contributed greetings for the Comic-Con souvenir book over the years.I spotted Conan the Librarian in downtown San Diego’s incredible new library!Commander Spock of Vulcan visited Earth back in 1974. Comic-Con then was held in the El Cortez Hotel, a couple blocks from where I’m preparing this blog!Mickey Mouse headed down to San Diego one year. I’m willing to bet he’ll be here again this year!In 1981, Peter Parker lost a game of strip poker with Mary Jane Watson!This guy is probably still looking for the San Diago Convention Center.Kid checks out a hands on exhibit showing how comic books are produced and printed.A penciled panel featuring Batgirl in action. Part of a cool display which demonstrates the processes involved in creating a comic book.Inked and finished cover of the 2015 San Diego Comic-Con souvenir book. The art celebrates the 75th Anniversary of Will Eisner’s The Spirit, by artist Michael Cho.Visitors to the San Diego’s Art of Comic-Con museum exhibit enjoy a huge mural from a 2008 book cover created by legendary cartoonist Sergio Aragones.Check this out! The mural by Sergio Aragones, of Groo the Wanderer fame, contains hundreds of characters romping about San Diego during Comic-Con!Everyone is heading toward San Diego! I bet they’ll crowd into the Gaslamp for an enormous cosplay and pop culture party!Gazillions of fans and cosplayers are assembled in front of the San Diego Convention Center!Superheroes are swinging and flying all over the place!The silly Sergio Aragones characters have materialized in San Diego from a fertile imagination.One wall in the Central Library museum contained original art used to create past Comic-Con souvenir book covers.Artwork used for the 1989 program book cover.1993 cover artwork from the legendary comic book and graphic novel artist Frank Miller.The Justice League flies into action in this original 2011 cover art from fan favorite Jim Lee.John Romita, Jr. drew some of Marvel’s Avengers for the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con souvenir book.Dave McKean cover artwork for 2013 Comic-Con.Jim Lee drew Superman for this WonderCon program book cover in 2013.Cliff Chiang’s Wonder Woman graced the cover of WonderCon’s program book in 2014.Sergio Aragones signed his covers from the 2008 book “Comic-Con 40 Years of Artists, Writers, Fans and Friends”. He’s a super friendly guy!If you’re going to 2015 San Diego Comic-Con, head to the 9th floor of the downtown library. The gallery is up there, along with some great views of the city!
Artist works by the Sybil Stockdale Rose Garden, behind the Command Center at NTC Liberty Station.
Yesterday, while I waited for the San Diego Comic Art Gallery to open, I walked a bit around NTC Liberty Station. I was pleased to stumble upon painters at work in the beautiful rose garden behind the old Command Center. I learned the artists were members of the San Diego Watercolor Society, which has its gallery in one of the nearby buildings. I took a few photos that you might enjoy.
Members of the San Diego Watercolor Society practice painting portraits amid beautiful rosesThis creative lady at an easel wore a unique paint palette hat!Brushes wait on a nearby bench.The painters appeared to be mostly working from photographs.Friendly gentleman receives some feedback as he carefully applies color to a canvas.Artist in a corner of NTC Liberty Station creates a watercolor portrait.Another member of the San Diego Watercolor Society walks toward the old Command Center on a perfect Saturday.
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A very cool comic art gallery created by IDW Publishing opened a little over a week ago in San Diego’s Liberty Station.
This morning I enjoyed an incredible treat. I checked out the new San Diego Comic Art Gallery, part of IDW Publishing’s new headquarters at NTC Liberty Station. IDW is the fourth largest comic book publisher in the United States, and their rapid expansion was the reason for their move. Their new home is in a renovated barracks at the historic Naval Training Center San Diego, located in Point Loma. NTC Liberty Station has become home to a number of other museums, galleries and cultural attractions, a few of which I’ve blogged about already.
The first exhibition at the San Diego Comic Art Gallery concerns the art of Kevin Eastman. He is a co-creator of the stupendously successful Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He and Peter Laird imagined the funny characters during a casual brainstorming session over thirty years ago. Their Mirage Studios was founded in 1983. IDW now owns publishing rights to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, so original artwork provided by Kevin Eastman appropriately fills the comic gallery for the public to freely enjoy. Perhaps the most incredible part of the exhibition is a realistic representation of his studio, filled with creative materials and his own personal collectibles. There are shelves and shelves of toys, figurines and cool pop culture stuff!
Flash photography is not allowed in the museum-like gallery, because the light degrades the extremely valuable artwork. Consequently, many of my photos came out dim or blurred. Here are a few which turned out reasonably okay. They provide a flavor of what you’ll see should you visit!
The first exhibition of the San Diego Comic Art Gallery features the work of Kevin Eastman, co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.Kevin Eastman began reading comics and drawing at a very young age. Major influences include Jack Kirby and science fiction. He created a character named Ninja Turtle just for fun.One of several TMNT drawings in a front window at the new San Diego Comic Art Gallery.Many examples of original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle artwork are on display in the fun, family-friendly museum.Foot Warrior Chick and a Foot Ninja with cloak, two enemies of the world-famous comic book, movie and cartoon turtles.Images in one display show some work of comic artist Kevin Eastman and the studio where he has worked.The studio you see before you is what I work in today. Every item has been brought from my home studio, and personal collections spanning over thirty five years. Cowabunga Dude!Photo through glass of the Kevin Eastman studio, transported to San Diego for this special exhibition.Wood panel by studio window shows the four funny, dynamic turtles in action.Venus, wearing a blue mask, overlooks visitors to a room where kids and adults are encouraged to draw, experience and read about comic art.Inked panel is one sample of the fun TMNT artwork on display at the Kevin Eastman exhibition.From sketch to finished page, visitors to the gallery can view a comic book’s creative process.Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello and Splinter, the Turtles’ sensei.Shredder, the villainous leader of the Foot Clan in New York City.Colorful graphic depicts Raphael, of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.Life is Art. Paint your Dreams.
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Bart Simpson takes many strange forms on one sidewalk in North Park. He’s elongated at times, or has multiple eyes.
Here’s another branch of San Diego’s strange and whimsical Bart Club! This example of Bart Simpson street art decorates a single utility box, located in North Park at the intersection of 30th and Adams Avenue.
More zany, bizarre Bart Club street art can be found in downtown San Diego’s East village at the intersection of Eighth Avenue and G Street, and at SILO.
This side of the Bart Club utility box has the funny television cartoon character’s face in need of a shave!A two-headed Bart Simpson makes for some very cool and unique San Diego street art.Here’s some more Bart art. He’s looking like a spotted, floppy-eared dog!
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Dozens of trashcans on the streets of Hillcrest have been painted by local artists.
In the past couple years, most of the trashcans lining the streets of Hillcrest have been colorfully painted by local artists. During a recent walk, I passed quite a few of these street art trashcans and took some photos. Many of these fun creations were seen along University Avenue, between Fourth Avenue and Park Boulevard.
Every sort of colorful design can be found on these decorated trash cans.Lighted buildings rise next to a guitar player strumming under the stars.Many of the trashcans have a carnival theme, with masks, happy faces and crazy fun.People walk past a cool spot to toss garbage, on University Avenue near Fourth Avenue in Hillcrest.This looks like some sort of strange bug jester.Wildly creative street art can be found throughout San Diego’s Hillcrest community.A purple mask-like face that’s very difficult to miss!An exotic blue face near a dirty orange construction cone.Bicyclist in Hillcrest rides down the sidewalk past another great example of trashcan art.I think I saw this green face on Star Trek.An artistic trashcan waits by a bus stop near the Hillcrest landmark sign.Masks and confetti reflect the party atmosphere in youthful Hillcrest.A big, joyful saxophone has been painted on this trashcan.Here’s an urban rooster.Pineapple, fresh strawberries, watermelon, and some litter.These trashcans with images of food are located near Normal Street.A tree along busy University Avenue adds life to the city.Trashcan with Sphinx and pyramids is appropriate for the Egyptian Quarter, near the intersection of University and Park Boulevard.Female face with a Pharoah headdress was painted by a local artist on Park Boulevard.
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Painted underwater scenes on the grass at the Balboa Park Centennial 2015 Philippine American Celebration.
Astonished eyes were staring down at the ground at the Balboa Park Centennial 2015 Philippine American Celebration. That’s because a very colorful, very long painted canvas had been unrolled on a patch of grass for festival visitors to admire.
What you see in these photos is a segment of the seven kilometer long “Fishes of the Ocean” painting. The amazing artwork, depicting marine life, was created by thousands of mostly young people in the Philippines from 2006 to 2009. The project was an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for longest painting on a single canvas!
I did some research on the internet, but I’m still not sure whether a record was officially set. If you can provide more info, leave a comment below!
Small segment of the amazing seven kilometer long Fishes of the Ocean painting.Talented young artists, mostly unknown, contributed to this colorful environmental art.Abstract fish forms swim in a school on a very large canvas.All sorts of exotic tropical fish are swimming at the ocean’s bottom.Sea life painted in many vivid colors.Fishes of the Ocean was created in the Philippines in an attempt to break a Guinness World Record.Visitors to Balboa Park in San Diego walk past an unexpected cool sight!A land shark waits motionless in the grass!The long strip of fun art zigzagged across the grass near the International Cottages.Creativity is one of the attractions at the annual Filipino cultural festival.Just a wonderful product of human imagination.This appears to be a scene from a coral reef.A scuba diver among bubbles and rays of colored light.I see a turtle, whale, starfish and octopus.Cartoon ocean creatures prompt smiles in Balboa Park!
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While wandering about San Diego taking photos for my blog, I’ve often been privileged to see school students doing really amazing things. From the very young to the college-aged, youth in San Diego are accomplishing more than just learning. They’re creating public art, publishing amazing work, beautifying the community, becoming champions, serving neighbors and people around the world, and working to build a brighter future.
Here are some past blog posts that provide inspiration.
Close look at beautiful plarn artwork exhibited on lower level of downtown San Diego’s Horton Plaza.
Should one walk through downtown San Diego’s colorful Horton Plaza shopping mall, one might see an unusual work of art. I took some photos for everyone to enjoy.
This sculpture is called Grow and is made of crocheted plarn. What the heck is plarn? It’s plastic yarn! I once watched a lady making the interesting material at Balboa Park’s annual EarthFair. Plastic bags, once converted into plarn, do in fact resemble yarn!
What a unique and environmentally friendly way to reuse plastic shopping bags!
Grow is an upcycle sculpture depicting a play between natural and synthetic elements. For this project, discarded plastic grocery bags were hand crocheted to form the plarn installation.Plarn is plastic yarn made from recycled plastic bags. It is durable, weather resistant, and can be woven to create various items.The artist Cat Chiu Phillips utilizes found materials and creates displaced juxtapositions. She includes unusual mediums such as recycled objects.Work of art, titled Grow, can be examined up close by visitors and shoppers walking through the Horton Plaza mall.A box by the fantastic plarn sculpture invites passersby to recycle their plastic shopping bags.
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Children delight in a fun work of art unveiled today on San Diego’s beautiful waterfront!
Three super fun sculptures made their debut this morning on San Diego’s waterfront! They’re located in the wonderful, huge one-year-old park that surrounds the County Administration Building. Created by world-renowned artist Niki de Saint Phalle, the pieces are on long term loan from the Niki Charitable Art Foundation to the County of San Diego.
Niki de Saint Phalle, born in France in 1930, loved San Diego and adopted it as her own. Several of her imaginative works can be seen around the city. In the past I’ve blogged about a few of her pieces. Here and here.
As someone said during today’s opening ceremony, Niki would love the idea of children romping on her playful sculptures. She believed that art should not be segregated from everyday life. Public art was very important to Niki.
San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts introduces those responsible for the installation of great new public art.Ron Roberts and the great granddaughter of renowned artist Niki de Saint Phalle reveal a sculpture titled #19 Baseball Player.It’s Tony Gwynn, Mr. Padre! The sculpture was unveiled the day after Tony would’ve turned 55 years old.San Diego’s beloved baseball legend Tony Gwynn holds a bat and faces a very large pitching mound (with fun slides)!Another very cool sculpture draws a crowd during its public debut at the San Diego County Administration Center.Niki de Saint Phalle’s 1999 Cat is made of fiberglass, resin, steel armature, ceramic tiles, tumbled stones, stained and mirrored glass.Kids play on a newly installed fat hollow Cat. The interactive sculpture sits next to the playground in San Diego’s super popular, one-year-old waterfront park!Look at this! It’s the colorful Serpent Tree! Rising like a huge multi-headed Hydra on the north side of the park, it’s hard to miss!Another fun addition to San Diego’s already awesome Embarcadero. Lots of people will enjoy these fantastic sculptures!
UPDATE!
I was walking past Waterfront Park in 2018 when I suddenly noticed the cat sculpture had been replaced with a seal! When I spoke to a security guy, he said someone fell madly in love with Cat and purchased it!
Here are photos of the fun replacement sculpture, Large Seal (element of Seals), 1999…
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Cool San Diego Sights! 