Tag: creativity

Escaped zoo animals roam Hillcrest street!

Two metal sculpture elephants on First Avenue.
Two metal sculpture elephants on First Avenue.

Several large and dangerous wild animals have escaped the San Diego Zoo and are running loose in nearby Hillcrest!

Huh?  You don’t believe me? I’ve got some photographic proof!

Okay, okay, I’m kidding. These super cool metal sculptures stand in front of a residence on First Avenue. They appear to be made of rusted steel, but I’m not sure. I spotted them during my walk to work this morning, so I whipped out my trusty old camera!

Animal sculptures in front of a residence in Hillcrest.
Animal sculptures in front of a residence in Hillcrest.
Handsome metal horse looks out toward street.
Handsome metal horse looks out toward street.
Funny gorilla poses in front of someone's window.
Funny gorilla poses in front of someone’s window.

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Kaleidoscope and a revolving bowl of flowers.

Interesting contraption in a nook at Spanish Village.
Interesting contraption in a nook at artsy Spanish Village.

In a nook of Balboa Park’s Spanish Village, right next to the San Diego Mineral and Gem Society building, you’ll find this interesting contraption. Is it an antique device once used to navigate a ship? Is it a microscope? What is it?

It’s a kaleidoscope mounted above a revolving bowl of flowers! Instead of turning the kaleidoscope tube, you whirl the bowl of blooms and watch different colorful patterns form through the lens. Several mirrors in the tube create the complex symmetry.

Once I figured out what the contraption was, I tried putting my camera right up to the eyepiece. I got a bunch of interesting photos!

A kaleidoscope aimed at turning bowl of flowers.
A kaleidoscope aimed at turning bowl of flowers.
Mirrors of kaleidoscope turn flower blooms into art.
Mirrors of kaleidoscope turn flower blooms into art.
Revolving the bowl turns flowers and leaves into amazing patterns.
Revolving the bowl turns flowers and leaves into amazing patterns.
Infinite beauty created via the reflection of light.
Infinite beauty created via the reflection of light.

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Three utility boxes on Bankers Hill.

Happiness is the art of making a bouquet of those flowers within reach.
Happiness is the art of making a bouquet of those flowers within reach.

Here are three colorful utility boxes along Laurel Street on Bankers Hill. I really like the message on the first one.

Exotic face on a utility box on Bankers Hill.
Exotic face on a utility box on Bankers Hill.
Koi and pond flowers adorn a colorful utility box.
Koi and pond flowers adorn a colorful utility box.

Joy and creativity thrive in Spanish Village.

Main entrance to Balboa Park's Spanish Village.
Main entrance to Balboa Park’s Spanish Village.

One of the most popular attractions in San Diego’s Balboa Park is Spanish Village. Here are a few pics of the colorful courtyard and the quaint studios of local artists that surround it…

Studio 29 in Balboa Park's Spanish Village.
Studio 29 in Balboa Park’s Spanish Village.
Peering at artwork in a studio window.
Peering at artwork in a studio window.
Lots of art can be bought from local San Diego artists.
Lots of art can be bought from local San Diego artists.
Live demonstrations by artists can be enjoyed by the public.
Live demonstrations by artists can be enjoyed by the public.
Artist at work outside one studio in Balboa Park's Spanish Village.
Artist at work outside one studio in Balboa Park’s Spanish Village.
Sculpture of dancers in central courtyard.
Sculpture of dancers in central courtyard.
Dogs from one artist's point of view.
Dogs from one artist’s point of view.
Couple explores folksy studios of Spanish Village.
Couple explores folksy studios of Spanish Village.
Art Glass Guild's room of shining color.
Art Glass Guild’s room of shining color.
People converge to see glassblowing in progress.
People converge to see glassblowing in progress.
Workshop inside San Diego Mineral and Gem Society building.
Workshop inside San Diego Mineral and Gem Society building.

The San Diego Mineral and Gem Society has a building in Spanish Village which showcases amazing rock and mineral collections. The lapidary workshop can only be glimpsed when one inside door is open.

Joyful works of art can be found everywhere.
Joyful works of art can be found everywhere.
Funny face greets those exiting toward San Diego Zoo.
Funny face greets those exiting toward San Diego Zoo.

Stylish street art in a dark, unexpected place.

Elegant street art found on Highway 163 underpass wall.
Elegant street art found on Highway 163 underpass wall.

I was surprised to discover this polished bit of street art in a place where few venture in Mission Valley:  in the darkness under Highway 163, along Camino de la Reina, among graffiti and windblown litter.  Joggers and the homeless pass through here, but not very often.  Who was the artist?  Why did they paint a stylish image in this location?  It’s a mystery!

UPDATE!!!

This morning, February 5th, exactly one day after the first photo was taken, I walked to work again and the street art and graffiti were painted over! I don’t know if this is pure coincidence, or the result of my blog yesterday…

The street art has been painted over!
The street art has been painted over!

Art, music and fun on San Diego’s waterfront!

Street performer on a bench plays guitar and sings.
Street performer on a bench plays guitar and sings.

Enjoyed my walk today. Took a bunch of pics. Street artists and performers use their talents to add zest to the colorful San Diego waterfront.

Silver robotic mime and a frozen high five.
Silver robotic mime and a frozen high five.
Resting on the grass, waiting to sketch a tourist portrait.
Resting on the grass, waiting to sketch a tourist portrait.
Playing a bluesy guitar near Seaport Village.
Playing a bluesy guitar near Seaport Village.
Passersby talk with a funny caricature artist.
Passersby talk with a funny caricature artist.
Man with horn plays Mariachi tunes near the USS Midway.
Man with horn plays Mariachi tunes near the USS Midway.
Little girl on wall awaits a cool twisted balloon creation.
Little girl on wall awaits a cool twisted balloon creation.
Hand painted names make memorable souvenirs.
Hand painted names make memorable souvenirs.
Caricature artist at work on a sunny San Diego day.
Caricature artist at work on a sunny San Diego day.
Birds perch on guitar-playing white statue-man.
Birds perch on guitar-playing white statue-man.
Captain America patrols San Diego's Embarcadero.
Captain America patrols San Diego’s Embarcadero.
Sax player entertains people on San Diego waterfront.
Sax player entertains people on San Diego waterfront.
Artist sells space art and handmade crafts on the Embarcadero.
Artist sells space art and handmade crafts on sidewalk.
A beautiful day by the water put to music.
A beautiful day by the water put to music.

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The dynamic, spiritual chalk art of Steve Mac.

Steve Mac, chalk portrait artist at Seaport Village.
Steve Mac, chalk portrait artist at Seaport Village.

Artists abound along the Embarcadero near Seaport Village. They’ll paint a quick portrait for a modest donation. Today during my walk, I stopped for a bit to chat with Steve Mac.

Steve uses his talent to capture the essence of his subjects. He has a philosophical outlook on life, shunning the material and the ego for the beautiful essence found everywhere around, and within us. About a year and a half ago he had a profound spiritual experience not far from where we spoke, and he woke up from a state of worry and confusion to a spirit-filled life in the now.

Here are a few of his works he had out on display:

Chalk art contains symbols of yin and yang, and the four elements.
Chalk art and symbols of yin and yang, and the four elements.
Serene face between wolves of creativity and destruction.
Serene face between wolves of creativity and destruction.
Sample of colorful double portrait rendered in chalk.
Sample of colorful double portrait rendered in chalk.
Amazing abstract chalk art captures life's essence.
Amazing abstract chalk art captures life’s essence.

I promised to link to his Facebook page.

Cool street art on construction site fence.

Cool street art on construction site fence.
Cool street art on construction site fence.

The other day, while shuffling along what seemed to be an unremarkable sidewalk in downtown San Diego, my legs were suddenly arrested and my eyes transfixed by this awesome street art.  A fun-loving, imaginative artist did a great job of enlivening this construction site fence, which can be found on 8th Avenue just north of Market Street.

Funky characters make for some cool street art.
Funky characters make for some cool street art.
Street art on 8th Avenue in downtown San Diego.
Street art on 8th Avenue in downtown San Diego.

More photos of Chicano Park in Barrio Logan.

Painted tree trunks and picnic benches at Chicano Park.
Painted tree trunks and picnic benches at Chicano Park.

As I mentioned in my last blog post, I took a whole lot of photos during my walk through Chicano Park.  Here are some images from the east side of the public park, right next to Interstate 5.  A few picnic benches and unusual features can be found in this area.

Some of these photographs might cause a strong reaction.  As I’ve mentioned before, this blog aims to be nonpolitical.  I just aim my old camera at interesting things around San Diego…and you decide what to make of it all!

Primitive frame made of bent branches.
Primitive frame made of bent branches.
Flower sculpture and cacti beside freeway.
Flower sculpture and cacti beside freeway.
Colored stones ring a painted cactus in Chicano Park.
Colored stones ring a painted cactus in Chicano Park.
Sculpture stands among the surrounding murals.
Sculpture stands among the surrounding murals.
Small mural near pedestrian walkway that crosses freeway.
Small mural near pedestrian walkway that crosses freeway.
An eyeful of bright colors everywhere you turn!
An eyeful of bright colors everywhere you turn!
A monument to the sacrifices of Hispanic veterans.
A monument to the sacrifices of Hispanic veterans.

This polished memorial stands apart from the murals, by a small patch of green grass.

A nearby mural depicts a moment in history.
A nearby mural depicts a moment in history.
Controversial mural on the east side of Chicano Park.
Controversial mural on the east side of Chicano Park.
Looking west at freeway ramp rising toward Coronado Bridge.
Looking west at freeway ramp rising toward Coronado Bridge.
Chicano Park sign and Mexican flags beside Interstate 5.
Chicano Park sign and Mexican flags beside Interstate 5.

Cool mural on Kippy’s building in Barrio Logan.

Huge mural on Barrio Logan Kippy's building.
Huge mural on Barrio Logan Kippy’s building.

I recently walked around Barrio Logan to take photos of street art, including the famous murals in Chicano Park.  During my fun adventure I passed this building.

I looked at Google Maps and believe this is or was the location of Kippy’s, a fashion design business that has a store in Coronado.

Corner of cool Barrio Logan Kippy's building.
Corner of cool Barrio Logan Kippy’s building.
Faces depicted on Kippy's building in Barrio Logan.
Faces depicted on Kippy’s building in Barrio Logan.
Cool Kippy's mural in Barrio Logan depicts Mariachis.
Cool Kippy’s mural in Barrio Logan depicts Mariachis.